Can Arcane Casters Heal? Disrupt Undead?

[irdeggman]

Sorcerer's can get healing spells, according to page 54 in the 3.5 PHB. I'm not gonna type the entire quote out, but you can find it under "Spells" on page 54, second column, first paragraph.

But they still have to be on the (or "a") wizards/sorcerers spell list (just not the one in the PHB). IMO this was put into place to allow a greater spell list than was included in the PHB (i.e., that list is not all-inclusive) and the DM is free to include any sort of spell he wishes to. So if a DM wishes to include a wiz/sorc version of the cure spells he can, but it is not in the core rules as a default system.

 

[irdeggman]

Actually, they don't:


The harming undead part is covered by the "functions like (mass) cure light wounds" text, and both Light versions make note that they harm undead.

But that doesn't change the facts that Disrupt Undead cannot heal, wizards and sorcerers cannot learn Cure spells, and that bards are the only arcane healers.

Correct per the SRD

Cure Light Wounds, Mass
Conjuration (Healing)
Level: Brd 5, Clr 5, Drd 6, Healing 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature/level, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will half (harmless) or Will half; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless) or Yes; see text
You channel positive energy to cure 1d8 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +25) in each selected creature.
Like other cure spells, mass cure light wounds deals damage to undead in its area rather than curing them. Each affected undead may attempt a Will save for half damage.

So cure minor wounds should likewise deal 1 point of damage to a single undead - my bad for missing the "clarifying text" in this spell description.

Regardless the original spell in question - Disrupt undead functions differently than the cure spells.

 

[Thanee]

which?

Well, I can readily think of...

- Arcane Disciple with the Healing Domain
- Polymorph
- Summon Monster VI+
- Planar Binding
- that necromancy spell from Magic of Faerûn, I think, which deals damage to the caster, tho
- Limited Wish

Bye
Thanee

 

[mzsylver]

Healing Touch

Well, I can readily think of...

- that necromancy spell from Magic of Faerûn, I think, which deals damage to the caster, tho

Yep! Healing Touch (p. 100 MoF).

Necromancey; Sor/Wiz 3; V,S; Will Half; SR Yes: You transfer some of your life essence to another creature, healing it. You may heal up to 1d6 per two caster levels (maximum 10d6), and must decide how many dice to roll when you cast the spell. You take damage equal to the amount your target was healed. This spell cannot heal a target of more than your current hit points +10, which is enough to kill you.

The key is to maximized Vamp Touch the enemy and then use the extra hit points to cure the party!

 

[Saeviomagy]

You could also use false life for those extra hps.

Apart from that, the BoED has the "light of Vilya" (I think) that does healing, at a distance no less!

 

[Klaus]

IMC I ruled that Disrupt Undead can be used to heal living creatures. Didn't unbalance things much.

 

[ARandomGod]

Ok I'll give into those arguements,
but DMG page 239 the Scrolls.
I know these ARCANE scrolls are for Bards, but guess what Wizards can cast any arcane scroll right? Does it not stem from that since there are rules for adding spells to your spell book from an arcane scroll that a wizard could learn it.

I'm going to tell you this straight up. Arcane casters *CAN* heal. But they just don't know how. Sure, there are wizard healing spells out there, and there have been sorc's with healing spells in history, but noone remembers them, the scrolls and books detailing the spells are overlooked and seen as unimportant. In short, the gods will not allow it. But really it's quite easy to do.

If you can find a way to get around this restriction (the GM will let you), then there's no issue, it can be done. But most wizards or sorcs who even THINK about being able to heal laugh at themselves, of start to yawn ... eyes glazing over as they try to contemplate the idea. It's impossible to research the spell, they can't focus on it. A scroll or book with the spell in it will have that spell ignored or seen as useless and silly.

So no, you can't heal at all, in any way, with arcane magicks. Ignore the bard. There is no bard behind the curtain.

 

[Hypersmurf]

IMC I ruled that Disrupt Undead can be used to heal living creatures. Didn't unbalance things much.

So... Cure Minor Wounds is a touch-range orison that cures 1 hit point, and Disrupt Undead is a close-range cantrip that cures 1d6?

Apprentice wizards make better healers than apprentice clerics?

-Hyp.

 

[Klaus]

They have a potential to heal more, but they can't control it (hence the 1d6), and it doesn't get better (no Greater Disrupt Undead). A Maximized Disrupt Undead would be a 4th level spell (iirc) and heal an amazing 6 (!!!) points of damage. At those levels a cleric is healing what, 3d6 + 7 damage?

The apprentice cleric learns to steadily control positive energy, so by the time he gets to 1st level, he's able to heal far better than any mage can hope to.

At least IMC.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

They have a potential to heal more, but they can't control it (hence the 1d6), and it doesn't get better (no Greater Disrupt Undead).

So why hasn't any wizard put 2 and 2 together and researched one?