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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cheiromancer" data-source="post: 3056428" data-attributes="member: 141">For instance, suppose we have a 22nd level wizard with Str 11, Dex 16, Con 13.  He might be willing to consider a spell that does a backlash of 12 Con damage.  Randomize it and say that it the backlash would do 2d6 Con damage to one of the physical stats.  (So the max damage stays 12, but the average is lower) This actually has a chance of incapacitating him, whereas the previous version didn't.  It could also open the possibility, in extremis, of using the spell twice or more in a row.  Which wouldn't happen if it was a constant 12 points of Con damage.  That opens up more possibilities, which is fun.As you increase the randomness, you have to decrease the effect a bit to compensate. So instead of 2d6 to any physical stat, it might be 1d10 damage to any stat.  There's a chance this will affect his Intelligence, which can be awkward to a wizard, but getting a -12 bonus at such a comparatively cheap rate would be very tempting.Or suppose that instead of causing damage, maybe it causes a creature to be called from the far realm to some point within a mile or more of the caster (these should be for spells that would be cast in or near the caster's home base).  The CR of the monster might be 1d6 for every -3, so 4d6.  It is unlikely to appear close enough to pose an immediate threat, but will probably be a lot of trouble in the near future.Or maybe the energy backlash from a -12 brings down 4d6 spell levels of spells currently on the caster.  Abjuration spells are affected first, then transmutation, divination, etc..  Is getting that mitigating factor worth possibly saying goodbye to a mind blank and death ward?Or maybe it brings a chance of insanity- the contact other plane spell might be a model for this.  Maybe a different kind of backlash is appropriate for each seed, or school.  But 3d6 (or 4d6) damage to Con is not worth considering.  Even if the average of 3d6 is less than the 12 he'd be willing to pay, the chance of death is just too high.  That's what my previous concerns were about.  My thought today was that there could be randomness without increased lethality.</blockquote>

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