DotF Spell: Spikes

[Kestrel]

The Defenders of the Faith spell, Spikes, is supposed to be exactly the same as the lower level spell, Brambles, except that it has a +2 enhancement bonus over +1. However, the spell durations are drastically different although the spells only differ by one level. Brambles is 1 round/level and Spikes is 1 hour/level

Is this correct? and if the duration is 1 hour/level, isn't a spell that converts a weapon into a +2 hit /+5 damage (minimum) a bit powerful for 3rd level?

 

[Bobbystopholes]

Well, if at 3rd level you want to be running into battle instead of sitting back with a knife spray or a sound burst, or healing, go have fun. I hope you rolled well on hit points and have a good con score. If you are multiclassed Barb or Fighter, then you will be quite a bit higher level before you get that spell and then the creatures you will fight will just laugh at it.

From my memory, forgive me I am at work, I think that the enhancement doesn't overcome DR. If it does, then cool, if not, then what's the problem?

 

[Kestrel]

You're right, its not that big a deal. I just thought the duration differences were interesting and wonder if one of them was a mistake. I'll double-check to see if it overcomes DR later tonight. (Don't have it at work myself)

 

[kreynolds]

You're right, its not that big a deal. I just thought the duration differences were interesting and wonder if one of them was a mistake. I'll double-check to see if it overcomes DR later tonight. (Don't have it at work myself)

I'll take a look. Hold on a sec...

No. It doesn't help with DR. Neither Brambles or Spikes.

 

[Bobbystopholes]

I think that it fits with Magic Weapon/Greater Magic Weapon. The 1st level spell is only 10 minutes per level and the 4th level one is 1 Hour per level. No clue why they do it. Sheer craziness, I tell ya!

 

[Chacal]

Damage +1/lvl is really powerful.

We have a ranger/Druid and a Barbarian druid IMC, and we put it back to 1/2 level because it was more powerful than the 4th level Greater magic weapon (they didn't fight monsters with DR ) .

It's still always prepared by our druids so I guess it needed the change for us.

Chacal

 

[Pielorinho]

First, this is a pretty common spell format: "As xx spell, except [changes below, and changes to spell's stats above]" Check out magic circle against evil for a similar setup.

Second, I've prepared the spell once but never used it. We tend to get into only two or three battles/day at most, and I'd much rather spend my time summoning nasties or calling down flame strikes or the like than getting up-close-and-personal with the bad guys. That's what the tanks are for.

But I could see a differently-conceived druid or cleric getting great use out of the spell. I don't think it's unbalanced, given that it can only be cast on wooden weapons; few fightertypes specialize in the greatclub, and there aren't many other decent wooden weapons out there.

Daniel

 

[Jairami]

However, cast it on a paladin's wooden shield before he does a shield charge and you'll really see the sparks fly!

(Shield charge doubles the damage of a shield bash attack...)

 

[Kestrel]

I'll take a look. Hold on a sec...

No. It doesn't help with DR. Neither Brambles or Spikes.

I looked at it a bit ago (had to run home for lunch) and it just says that it gives +1 enhancement bonus (+2 for spikes). I thought that meant that it would work against DR?

 

[kreynolds]

I looked at it a bit ago (had to run home for lunch) and it just says that it gives +1 enhancement bonus (+2 for spikes). I thought that meant that it would work against DR?

Well, it didn't mention anything about DR in the spell. It was a split-second decision when I looked at it. Though now that I think about it, it says it gives the weapon an enhancement bonus, not just a bonus to hit, so yeah, it should bypass DR. My bad.