Contingent spells

[Phaedrus]

I posted this in one Scion's Speed Casting thread as a diversion. Want to pull it out of there and get ya'll's (that's Texan speak for the plural of 'your') opinion.

I'm looking for a mechanic to cast buff spells when needed, a sort of a contingency spell (does one already exist?)

8am. Get out of bedroll, kick the Fighter and tell him it's his turn to make coffee.

8:15am. Cast Contingency, then Bull's Strength (or whatever. Expeditious Retreat, Stoneskin, etc.).

1pm. Ambushed by band of ___. Trigger contingent buff spell (as a verbal free action). Kick ___ butt.


In short, why not a spell (or a feat?) that allows you to cast a spell and leave it dormant, to be triggered later by you via a free action (verbal trigger)? Am I re-inventing the wheel--does this mechanic already exist? And must it be a spell--could it be a feat?

 

[Aaron2]

In short, why not a spell (or a feat?) that allows you to cast a spell and leave it dormant, to be triggered later by you via a free action (verbal trigger)? Am I re-inventing the wheel--does this mechanic already exist? And must it be a spell--could it be a feat?

The only problem I can see is that this ability is about as good as Quicken spell (worse: you need to prepick the spell's recipient; better: you can have multiple spells activate in one round). I'd say, make a feat and keep the +4 spell level adjustment.

Since the main concern with multiple quicken spells is a mega-blast of attack spells, it should be alright.

Aaron

 

[The Little Raven]

From my house rules:

Contingent Spell [Metamagic]
You can prepare a spell to be cast when a certain event occurs.
Prerequisite: Quicken Spell.
Benefit: You can prepare a spell to be cast as a free action when a particular event occurs. You must define this event, whether it is as simple as "when I am attacked" or as complex as "when I enter into the presence of the bandit lord." Events that refer to a person of particular identity, you must be able to identify that person before the spell is cast.
A contingent spell uses up a spell slot five levels higher than the spell's actual level. A contingent spell does not count as a quickened spell.

I've found it to be a bit helpful by having my BBEG prepare one for particular events.