1 min per level spells and why they suck

[Rel]

After sleeping on this, I've come to a decision about how I'll handle this after 3.5 comes out:

If the ability enhancement spells are combined into a single spell with a duration of 1 min/level (like in D20 Modern) then I will use that spell as-is in my games. I will also allow PC's to research each specific sub-spell (Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, etc.) with a 10 min/level duration. I might also include such a spell as part of a treasure at some point too.

I think that if the spells are combined into a single spell, that has value. It would be much more valuable to Sorcerers and would save on scribing costs for a Wizard too (though I understand those rules will be changing also). Regardless of who prepares such a spell, it is more flexible because you can enhance whatever ability you wish, on the fly.

If the spells are still separate and have durations of 1 min/level, I'll probably just house rule the lot of them to 10 min/level. Unless, of course, I see other changes that obviate the need for this.

Beyond that I've decided to stop sweating it.

 

[S'mon]

I had reduced BS and the other 1 hr/level buffs to 10 minutes/level IMC, but given how powerful BS is the 1 min/level still seems reasonable. I'm very impressed that the 3.5e revisions seem to be consistently identifying the biggest problems I've seen with 3e (eg the way spell bonuses dominate play), and dealing with them apppropriately.

 

[The Sigil]

Sounds like without bending the wealth rules, the only ones by -passing DR will be raging barbarians with two-handed weapons. How is this fun? When you only have one viable option. It's no longer an option at that point.

I hesitate to point it out, but the word out of WotC has been that DR numbers will be VASTLY reduced. You will see lots of DR 5/something, a FEW DR 10/something and every other blue moon, a DR 15/something.

Yes, Bull's Strength has been nerfed. But DR has been nerfed, too, so you don't need that extra damage from BS to punch through it.

Just thought I'd point it out - don't worry about DR being deadly when BS gets nerfed, since DR is getting nerfed with it.

--The Sigil

 

[coyote6]

Similarly, energy resistances are also supposed to be reduced for monsters.

I wonder if that means endure/resist/protection from elements will also be reduced.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Doc Moriarty

A party often casts Bulls Strength in preference to other buff spells. So now you have a problem. Your party has increased damage dishing ability but since Endurance is rarely cast the party cannot take damage proportionate to the damage they can dish out.

They did? IMC it was endurance all the time! The wizards especially loved casting it on themselves, and it gave the cleric another round when he could cast destruction instead of heal.

BTW did I see bull's strength referred to as BS?

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Doc Moriarty


They did? IMC it was endurance all the time! The wizards especially loved casting it on themselves, and it gave the cleric another round when he could cast destruction instead of heal.

BTW did I see bull's strength referred to as BS?

Yes you did see Bulls Strength being shortened to BS.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Yes you did see Bulls Strength being shortened to BS.

Its all just a bunch of BS though.


...sorry..I had to..

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

BAH...double post...

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I don't think Endure elements can be reduced at all and remain a viable first level spell.

Resist elements could probably be lowered to ten--it would still be very weak but clerics might take it occasionally.

Protection from elements could be reduced a little but anything below 10/level would take it from a spell that is occasionally useful to a spell that's almost never useful. (The difficulty with the spell is that, IME, most of the time PCs don't know what they'll be up against in advance--and once PCs do know what they're up against, it's usually more sensible to ready an action to disrupt the sorceror's fireball than to cast protection from elements. After all, the sorceror may know Ice Storm too. And in any event, protection from elements only protects the one person and doesn't do anything for the rest of those in the fireball. The only time it's really useful is when the PCs are going dragon hunting.

Similarly, energy resistances are also supposed to be reduced for monsters.

I wonder if that means endure/resist/protection from elements will also be reduced.

 

[rangerjohn]

The world you game in doesn't have daylight?

Yes, but most of our adventures take place indoors or underground. At least by the time we have magic weapons.