A non-conjuration alternative to Mage Armor?
- Thread starter Kershek
- Start date
Mr.Binx
First Post
Almost all of the armor spells in D&D are conjuration spells unfortunately. Sacrificing conjuration sacrifices the majority of these spells as well. The player could take the time to create abjuration spells that give you an armor bonus specifically versus certain types of creatures so that it would be placed under the abjuration catgeory. I'l make one up as a quick example:
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Extraplanar Armor
Abjuration
Sor/Wiz 2
Range: Touch
Target: Personal
Duration 10 minutes/level
Saving Throw: Will negate (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes
Effect:
This spell causes the caster's body to glow with a dim violet energy that protects the caster from the attacks of extraplanar beings. The caster has a +2 arcane bonus to saves versus the extraordinary, supernatural, spell-like abilities and spells cast by outsiders. The extraplanar armor also provides an armor bonus of [2 + 1 for every two levels of the caster (max of +8 AC at 12th level)] versus the melee weapons and natural physical attacks of outsiders. The armor bonus provided by this spell does not stack with that of worn armor or anything else that provides a similar armor bonus (such as the Mage Armor spell).
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It's also possible to think up a necromantic way to create an armor spell that uses dead flesh and bones, but there's a good chance that any physical armor created is going to impair casting unless it's a higher-level spell made of unliving parts.
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Extraplanar Armor
Abjuration
Sor/Wiz 2
Range: Touch
Target: Personal
Duration 10 minutes/level
Saving Throw: Will negate (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes
Effect:
This spell causes the caster's body to glow with a dim violet energy that protects the caster from the attacks of extraplanar beings. The caster has a +2 arcane bonus to saves versus the extraordinary, supernatural, spell-like abilities and spells cast by outsiders. The extraplanar armor also provides an armor bonus of [2 + 1 for every two levels of the caster (max of +8 AC at 12th level)] versus the melee weapons and natural physical attacks of outsiders. The armor bonus provided by this spell does not stack with that of worn armor or anything else that provides a similar armor bonus (such as the Mage Armor spell).
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It's also possible to think up a necromantic way to create an armor spell that uses dead flesh and bones, but there's a good chance that any physical armor created is going to impair casting unless it's a higher-level spell made of unliving parts.
Last edited:
Larcen
Explorer
hong said:
The guy who's playing the 3rd level sorc in my soon-to-start Britannia 3E campaign has just chosen his spells:
1st Level:
Endure Elements
Protection from Evil
Shield
I'm seriously considering giving the guy 100 XP just for not taking magic missile for a change.
Actually, I find his choices quite reasonable and clever. A Magic Missile only does a lousy 1d4+1 at first level anyway. He is probably gonna hide behind all that protection and shoot away with his light crossbow. He can still take that MM at a higher level when it's much more powerful.
But I see your point; it's amazing more people don't think like him.
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howlingwolf
First Post
I am the mage in question and the focus of the thread is not actually where my complaint lies. What I am looking at is really the time the spells are active. For 1st level spells, Mage Armour at +4 and hours of use does not seem balanced with Shield, with its much shorter time. I do understand that Shield's higher bonuses is part of the reason, but it seems odd that and evocation specialist, who manipulates energy, just can't seem to do it very long, where a conjurer can bring something into physical being for hours. It would seem that an evoker could create an energy force that surrounds him fully on all sides, and is very similar to shield (but in all directions vs one). It would obviously have lower AC bonuses since the force is not concentrated at the front and actively intercepting shots. Seems like a time measured in the 10 min a level range would also not be unreasonable.
Also, there is a necromatic way to do this, it is called armour of undeath (I believe.) Just doesn't seem right for a good elf!
Also, there is a necromatic way to do this, it is called armour of undeath (I believe.) Just doesn't seem right for a good elf!
Crothian
First Post
The duration of many spells is to long. Mage armor, bull strength, endurance, and other 1hr/level spells should really be 10 min/level. I think that would be better and the way to go.
What othe rbooks are you guys using? I'm sure with about a dozen books that have spell options in them it'd be easy to locate a spell that fits this.
What othe rbooks are you guys using? I'm sure with about a dozen books that have spell options in them it'd be easy to locate a spell that fits this.
howlingwolf said:
Well, there has to be a clear distinction between the two types of specialist, so maybe we should assume that conjuration spells sacrifice something of their raw power in exchange for a longer duration.
Let's compare Shield (Evocation) with Mage Armour (Conjuration, Creation), using school descriptions from the SRD:
Conjuration
Conjurations bring manifestations of objects, creatures, or some form of energy to the character (summoning), actually transport creatures from another plane of existence to the character's plane (calling), heal (healing), or create such objects or effects on the spot (creation). Creatures the character conjures usually, but not always, obey the character's commands.
Creation: The spell manipulates matter to create an object or creature in the place the spellcaster designates (subject to the limits noted above for conjurations). If the spell has a duration other than instantaneous, magic holds the creation together, and when the spell ends or is dispelled, the conjured creature or object vanishes without a trace. If the spell has an instantaneous duration, the created object or creature is merely assembled through magic. It lasts indefinitely and does not depend on magic for its existence.
Evocation
Evocation spells manipulate energy or tap an unseen source of power to produce a desired end. In effect, they create something out of nothing. Many of these spells produce spectacular effects, and evocation spells can deal large amounts of damage.
So, evocation spells unleash force effects or destructive energies which are usually very potent, but shortlived.
Whereas a conjuration (creation) spell would actually bring a object or creature into being, and that object or creature is being held together by the magic of the spell. The object or creature might be clearly different to most natural ones (think Phantom Steed, or Evard's Black Tentacles), but it is still a real entity, composed of matter, whereas an evocation effect is mainly force/energy.
Therefore, conjuration spells tend to be less potent/destructive, but also more controlled, more versatile, and longer lived.
Not only does this kind of thinking clarify the distinction between the two schools, it also prevents specialists from circumventing restrictions that result from being barred from certain schools of magic (which after all is their only drawback compared to a normal wizard!)
I think that in this particular case, the description of Mage Armour makes it sound more like an evocation spell than a conjuration spell, since it talks about create a force barrier, much like Shield.
This appears to be at odds with the above description of conjuration (creation) spells, which create objects or creatures.
I think that the descriptive text should talk about creating a suit of armour around the caster, one which is light enough to avoid arcane failure chance, yet still provide durable protection. But that is just a matter of changing the flavour text, and does not alter the fact that an evoker cannot mimic that type of spell, except perhaps by creating a variant that was somewhat higher level than the conjuration original.
This appears to be at odds with the above description of conjuration (creation) spells, which create objects or creatures.
I think that the descriptive text should talk about creating a suit of armour around the caster, one which is light enough to avoid arcane failure chance, yet still provide durable protection. But that is just a matter of changing the flavour text, and does not alter the fact that an evoker cannot mimic that type of spell, except perhaps by creating a variant that was somewhat higher level than the conjuration original.
