Best 6th level Spells

[Voadam]

I will ask my DM about illusions, since I've never used them before. Any favorite tactics that you have?

Permanent illusion a phase spider, phased illusion would be invisible so you could have it with you all the time and control it to have it appear to intimidate creatures with your "instant summoning".

Permanent illusions of incorporeal undead work well, everybody expects their attacks to go through them.

Cast PI on a coin, so that it travels with you.

PI yourself in full armor so you appear to be a fighter, that way you might get targeted by will save attacks instead of fortitude ones and might avoid or delay the "immediately geek the mage" tactic of some opponents.

 

[fujaiwei]

Cast PI on a coin, so that it travels with you.

I was trying to think of a way to bring an illusion with me - like maybe a squad of fighters standing guard around me or something. This would make it possible...

PI yourself in full armor so you appear to be a fighter, that way you might get targeted by will save attacks instead of fortitude ones and might avoid or delay the "immediately geek the mage" tactic of some opponents.

I was thinking of something like this - I seem to get targeted first often.

 

[Pielorinho]

Unfortunately, Permanent Image doesn't have a target; it has an effect. By concentrating, you can move the image within the limits of the range of the effect, but I don't think you can move it beyond the area you initially created it in.

Change Self or Alter Self, however, should allow you to do the Mage in Shining Armor trick. And persistent image could be useful for your camp: bump your Int up as high as possible, and create an illusion of a network of rock tunnels with misty passages in them in the area you're using as a lair/stronghold. Then have all your allies examine the tunnels until they successfully disbelieve them. If you want to get tricky, dig some pits in the lair (using Disintegrate), and then cover them up with the permanent illusion.

If you're ever attacked in your lair, you'll have a huge home-turf advantage, inasmuch as you and your allies will be able to fire through walls, target spells through walls, and benefit from total concealment on return attacks. Your enemies, even if they decide to ignore the illusion, risk falling into the pits.

Daniel

 

[Nail]

Hello!

Acid Fog should certainly be on your "short list", especially for high level play. It's an excellent no SR, no save, trap/battlefield control spell! Even those pesky golems and outsiders are affected!

Mass Suggestion is a gimme, given your spell focus.

Contingency is the defensive spell various smack-down threads and arena fights use.

I know it's not optimal, but I'm rather partial to Summon Monster VI. Extra allies on the front lines, even for a short time, can be valuable. And check out that Large Air Elemental! Good stuff there.

In any case, don't take:

• Dispel Magic, Greater: find it, or take it next level.
• Geas/Quest: 10 minute casting time? Please.
• True Seeing: Not as good as the 2nd level spell See Invis.
• Disintegrate: It just isn't that useful. Too bad, really.

By the way: why can't you just *buy* a few extra spells?

 

[ScyldSceafing]

If you're ever attacked in your lair, you'll have a huge home-turf advantage, inasmuch as you and your allies will be able to fire through walls, target spells through walls, and benefit from total concealment on return attacks. Your enemies, even if they decide to ignore the illusion, risk falling into the pits.

Daniel

See, that's the kind of PhD-level deviousness that always just blows me away. Incredible, the things people think of. Also makes me wonder whether I've got what it takes to handle DMing con-type gaming - I don't think of stuff like that!

 

[drunkmoogle]

A cheaper, easier solution to "geek the mage" (thanks, voadam!) is to invest in a Hat of Diguise. 1800GP, IIRC. Deck yourself in spiked full plate... and to be on the safe side, hang a guitar over your back (nobody attacks the Bard first).

 

[fujaiwei]

By the way: why can't you just *buy* a few extra spells?

You're completely right - I will. I was just looking for good, useful spells.

 

[fujaiwei]

See, that's the kind of PhD-level deviousness that always just blows me away. Incredible, the things people think of. Also makes me wonder whether I've got what it takes to handle DMing con-type gaming - I don't think of stuff like that!

I bet my DM would love that tactic.

 

[Nail]

....Deck yourself in spiked full plate... and to be on the safe side, hang a guitar over your back (nobody attacks the Bard first).

Awesome.

I shall remember to equip my orcish shamans with mandolins.......err, mandolins work too, right?

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Welcome, fujaiwei - you've picked exactly the right forum to ask this question in!

Yes. The rule of thumb is that discussions involving number crunching such as power optimization questions are preferred in the Rules forum. More philosophical issues like a qualititative discussion of campaign styles is usually put in the General forum.