[FRCS] Runecaster Questions

[Hand of Vecna]

I'm making up a new 14th level character for a new game one of the players in my group is going to start this Sunday, and as I was flipping through various books for ideas I came across the Runecaster. I decided to make a NG Dwarven Cleric (of Odin -- he really should have the Rune domain, IMHO) 7/Runecaster 7.

Now, my question -- have their been any eratta for the Runecaster PrC? THe cost for Charged Runes (Spell Level x Caster Level x Charges x 50 gp) seems a bit high (since a Wand with 50 charges costs Spell Level x Caster Level x 375 gp -- a Rune with as many charges would cost Spell Level x Caster Level x 2,500 gp).

 

[Pax]

Yes, Runes cost moe than wands.

More people can USE Runes. You can give a fighter a bag with a 50-charge rune of Cure Light Wounds in it. The fighter can USE that rune without yoru help (stick hand into bag, touch rune, get healed ... lather, rinse, repeat).

So; figure the wand would cost 1x1x375gp, for 50 charges. that's 7.5gp per charge, nice and cheap. But, only Clerics, Druids, and Bards (AFAIK) can use it.

The same spell in a rune,w ith 50 charges, would cost a LOT more -- 50gp per charge. But anyone could use it.

Hence, the price is balanced.

 

[Hand of Vecna]

Ah, that's very true, and I'd forgotten about it. Thanks!

'Course, looking more into it, Permanent Runes are truly scary -- for 90,000 gp + 7,200 XP (Spell Level 5 x Caster Level 9 x 2,000 gp to create + SL 5 x CL 9 x 160 XP), you can make a Permanent Rune that allows the wielder to cast Flame Strike as a 9th-level caster as a standard action, and the Rune can be used indefinitely (until it's hit with a Dispel, that is). The Rune'd be DC 25 to create, 30 if you want it to be Maximized (and not take up a highler level spell slot, per the Maximized Rune special ability of the Runecaster PrC).

 

[Pax]

Um.

You've made another mistake.

Runes don't let you CAST the spell.

Runes cast the spell on the person who triggers them. So a Rune of Flamestrike would drop teh flamestrike squarely on your own head! Now, if you're a half-Red-dragon cleric with a lot of hitpoints and that rune scribed on your breastplate, it's certainly a nifty way to dissuade people from trying to grapple you. But otherwise ... ouchie!

Oh, note: a Permanent rune that's dispelled is merely suppressed, just like any other permanent magic item.

Essentially, though, Runes are generally intended for buffs, healing, and similar sorts of magic.

 

[Hand of Vecna]

*grumbles something about a lack of sleep*

 

[Pax]

Another use for a Rune of Flamestrike: a Lich-Cleric with Subdual Substitution could make a permanent Rune of Subdual-Sub Flamestrike, and gleefully drop pillars of subdual-only unholy fire on himself (and anyone adjacent), constantly.

Being immune to subdual damage makes such ploys a fun option, after all.