D&D 3E/3.5 Craft Contingent Spell (3.5)

[Alexander123]

To what uses have you put the craft contingent spell feat? I am brainstorming for ideas.

 

[Dandu]

Let's say you have someone who thinks fighters can defeat wizards if the fighter takes the Mage Slayer line of feats...

Triggering a contingency (off of a rude gesture, for example) means that even if the fighter gets next to you, teleporting away is still an options.

 

[Crust]

I like to set contingent spells to fire off by a deliberate act performed by the target, such as a command word like "Shazam." Assuming the target isn't flat-footed, unconscious, or silenced, speaking (in most cases) is a free action that can be performed even when it's not your turn (3.5 PHB pg. 144). In other words, an immediate action. This allows the target of any contingent spell to set off the contingent spell before an attack hits provided the target is aware of his/her surroundings. Otherwise, the target must be directly affected before contingency fires as per contingency’s spell description and the additional information in Complete Arcane.

Setting the contingent spell to fire “when I take hp damage” still requires that the target be affected directly, and some might rather not take damage at all. If the target of the contingent spell has a command word set as his/her trigger and is aware of the approaching enemy, he/she could speak “Shazam” as an immediate action, bringing up stoneskin before the assailant’s attack hits.

One might also try setting his/her contingent spell to fire by clicking the teeth together twice in rapid succession or by touching the left pinky to the left thumb to avoid any problems with silence. If bound and gagged, crossing the eyes or running the tongue along the roof of the mouth might also be clever triggers that can be attached to any number of spells.

 

[SolitonMan]

To what uses have you put the craft contingent spell feat? I am brainstorming for ideas.

What level of spell is the maximum you're looking to apply? I've used it with BBEGs at high level (18+) to implement a contingent True Resurrection (triggered on the death of the BBEG). That's always a nasty surprise, if you enjoy being devious.

Other uses include a triggered escape, such as when the character bearing the contingent spell is rendered helpless, paralyzed, silenced, or otherwise made particularly vulnerable. Then a contingent teleport to send the character back to their base is a good option. Or contingent protection, such that, for example, when the character is exposed to a particular form of energy their contingent protection against that energy is activated.

From reading the description of the Contingent Spell feat and the details of Contingent Spells in Complete Arcane, really they can be applied to many situations. It all depends on the character. Maybe a bard or diplomat has a contingent Glibness set to go off under negotiating conditions. And I really like the other responses suggesting the triggering action be something quick and easy the character can do as an immediate action, that provides opportunity to cover almost every contingency.

 

[Aplixis]

True Res? why not Revivify? it happens w/ in 1 round, lower level spell and dos not cost xp.

what i do.

"Fireball" when i die.
"Revivify" when my corpse gets burned
"Cure X" when im at -1 and stable

 

[SolitonMan]

True Res? why not Revivify? it happens w/ in 1 round, lower level spell and dos not cost xp.

what i do.

"Fireball" when i die.
"Revivify" when my corpse gets burned
"Cure X" when im at -1 and stable

You're right, that would be cheaper and easier to do! I'll have to look at that, it's not as if I'd be using SO many contingent spells that I'd hit the limit for a given creature. Thanks!

Although in some situations, the true res would be nice to allow for that period of relief on the part of the attackers, believing they had defeated their BBEG, and then, a few minutes or days later, it returns. Actually, now you've got me thinking that it might be neat to use several spells in conjunction to achieve a reasonable escape - maybe have death trigger the teleportation of the body to a sanctum, as well as activating some sort of illusion to create an image of the BBEG's corpse immolating and turning to dust or whatnot. I'll have to think on this...

 

[Aplixis]

one of my DM's imposed a house rule of your stunned 1 round for every contingent spell on you when one gos off.

but its mostly cus i stacked them to the limit to archive cheese lol

i have to say stacking them on death is the best way the fireball stuff is just a final middle finger to who ever killed me all thought i think i used like 5-6 Weirds just to ensure that stuff would die lol

but the BBEG idea sounds fun

 

[Dandu]

You should get Favor of the Martyr on your spell list.