Fun with Permanency

[thundershot]

Not counting what's listed in the spell description, what other spells would you allow in your game to be affected by Permanency. Also, how would you alter the XP cost of casting such a spell?

After looking over it, it dawned on me that SO MANY USEFUL spells could be made permanent if the PC wanted to blow his XP (only to be dispelled when they run into the first beholder).


Chris

 

[gamecat]

Look under the power "Incarnate" in the Psionics Handbook. Your answer waits there, young grasshopper!

 

[CRGreathouse]

(only to be dispelled when they run into the first beholder)

Antimagic does not dispel, it mearly surpresses.

 

[thundershot]

Ahhh... Veddy interesting....

Back in OD&D, I used Permanency for all kinds of stuff... of course, that was over 15 years ago... <trails off>

I think that little modification will work EASILY with Permanency...

Thanks!
Chris

 

[kreynolds]

Also, how would you alter the XP cost of casting such a spell?

The XP cost for permanency is static as per the spell, unless you, as a DM, decide to change it of course. The cost is 500XP per spell level. You will notice that Comprehend Languages is 500XP, a first level spell. Darkvision is 1,000XP, a second level spell. Also, the minimum requirements for caster level are also static, unless (see above DM reference). The caster level requirements are 9th for 1st level spells, 10th for 2nd level spells, 11th for 3rd level spells, and so on and so forth.

I will generally allow any spell that affects the caster and has a duration longer than instantaneous. Obviously, in my games, you won't know if applying permanency to the spell in question will yield any results unless you research it first. This also gives me the time I need to decide if I will allow it, though I generally will. I also don't modify the costs, as I have never seen a need to do so.

 

[thundershot]

That was basically my thought on it too. Only spells with durations. I was going to use the 500 XP / level, but it seemed too low, for some reason. My player wanted to eventually use Permanency on Mage Armor, giving him a +4 to AC. It's a first level spell, so only 500 XP cost. Of course his master plan is to use it on Magic Jar (wasn't that permanent in 2E?) while in the body of a powerful creature. That's all fine and dandy (2500 XP?), but he'll also have an ECL suddenly attached to him. Heh.


Chris

 

[Jack Haggerty]

We talked about this awhile back...

Don't forget that Permanency can be dispelled with a simple Dispel Magic spell.

 

[kreynolds]

Furthermore, if you cast permanency on Mage Armor, any further castings of Mage Armor will grant you no bonuses to armor. Also, the permanent Mage Armor will override (will not stack with) most or all of standard armor bonuses, such as full plate, as well as magical armor bonuses, such as bracers.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Also, the permanent Mage Armor will override (will not stack with) most or all of standard armor bonuses, such as full plate, as well as magical armor bonuses, such as bracers.

Small, important detail: the permanant mage armor bonus will overlap (not override) other armor bonuses. Thus, a character with mage armor, full plate, and no other modifiers will have AC 18 (not AC 14).

 

[kreynolds]

Small, important detail: the permanant mage armor bonus will overlap (not override) other armor bonuses. Thus, a character with mage armor, full plate, and no other modifiers will have AC 18 (not AC 14).

Hey...give me a frickin' break. You'll notice that I mentioned (will not stack with) which is the same thing. I hate semantics. So, technically, you didn't correct me. Just pokin'. I know you're just trying to avoid confusion.