[Dragon] Dragon #307

[Aitch Eye]

I particularly like the sound of Hold Person working in this way. I wonder if they have extended it to other paralysation effects like Ghoul Touch too?

Stark says that the spells in the article were "examples of how we addressed problems in a variety of spells and spell-like abilities", and uses the phrase "hold person, hold monster, and other 'on/off' spells". He also says that the problems with hold person "are issues that also carry over to a variety of spells and spell effects." It seemed to me there was an implication that other spells might be modified in the same way.

Regarding Haste, was there any confirmation or otherwise of the rumour that it now affects multiple targets (like Slow does)?

He didn't mention it, and his description of the changes only used the singular.

 

[Mercule]

Particularly the Noble Adventurer - minimal requirements, fighter BAB, 6 skill points per level, and two good saves - that's too good to resist for a fighter.

This actually doesn't sound too bad to me, assuming the class doesn't get the Fighter bonus feats or a load of other abilities.

 

[Pielorinho]

Stark says that the spells in the article were "examples of how we addressed problems in a variety of spells and spell-like abilities", and uses the phrase "hold person, hold monster, and other 'on/off' spells".

Huh. It occurs to me that this might be a change not so much for balance as for fun.

Sure, it's great to cast hold person on an enemy in battle, and while it sucks to have it cast on you in battle, it's not necessarily an autokill against your character.

But when you're held in battle, it does mean that you as a player sit there for the length of the spell with nothing to do while everyone else gets to take their turns. At least if you get to make another save each round, it give you the player something to do.

It's one of my rules in gaming: as much as possible, keep all players involved in the game. This change sounds like it'll help me follow this rule.

Daniel

 

[DanMcS]

I noticed that it said "creature touched"... I assume you can "touch yourself"?

That's the standard on all range: touch spells I can think of, so I'd say yes. A more important question is, do you have to sing the Madonna song when your character casts the spell? Or, does anyone know how to get it out of my head now that it's stuck there?

 

[Gizzard]

A more important question is, do you have to sing the Madonna song when your character casts the spell?

That song is actually by the Divinyls. Although I bet Madonna wished she sang it. ;-)

 

[Henry]

Unless haste can affect multiple targets, it sounds like it just went to the bottom of the heap for "most desirable spell." In fact, I can see this spell going from ALWAYS selected to NEVER selected, at least on some caster's lists.

I Like Harm revised, I don't like the Hold Person, even if it gives the person "something to do." I will have to see that one in play, but I'm personally biased. I liked my hold person, darn it!

 

[King_Stannis]

Steering this back on topic from the insidious and everpresent "Harm is broken! No it's not!" debate ,

Are there stats for me ( ) in issue 307?

 

[jgsugden]

Baneful polymorph affects unwilling subjects, and has a saving throw that gets a +4 bonus if the new form would be fatal. There are other "minor restrictions". It's permanent.

Any more info available?

What is the range? Touch? Close? Medium? Does it require a ranged touch attack?

 

[Aitch Eye]

Huh. It occurs to me that this might be a change not so much for balance as for fun.

That is mentioned as one factor, he also refers to it as the "I'll go for a bag of chips " problem.

Are there stats for me ( ) in issue 307?

Yes, in a sidebar there's a full statblock, some background RP info, and a little bit of info on the sword. You're a 10th level paladin ("As with all magic and spells presented in this article, Stannis's paladin abilities are not an exact replicas [sic] of the character's abilities in the novels. See the Magic in Westeros sidebar for more details.").

 

[King_Stannis]

Thanks, Aitch!