How do you use contingency ?

[Aloïsius]

So, what are your favored combos with contingency ? I think this is a handy spells, but there are so many choices possible, and have no experience with it... I wonder what is the most efficient use of this spell in a standard underdark/dungeon crawl adventure ?

 

[gfunk]

Well, you have to be really high level to cast it (like me) but I like to cast Contigency to trigger a Tenser's Transformation.

When I'm shapechanged into a Storm Giant with my gargantual greatsword (+5 with GMW) I trigger the Contigency.

I pick up martial weapon proficiency, my Str goes up to ~44.

Attacks: +40/+35/+30/+25
Dmg: 4d6 + 30

With my dual Rings of Counterspells (Greater Dispelling) I can really dish out some pain!

-------------------------------------

But enough boasting, I'm sure you were looking for lower level options. Personally, I think a mental Contigency trigger is a good one (it goes off when you think of a certain sequence of numbers). This way, you can activate it even while held or pinned.

Good spells to attach to the mental trigger are:
Dimension Door (when you are being grappled by a Tendriculous)
Fly
Wall of Force (personal)

The cool thing about Contigency is that its activation is pretty much a free action. So if you are more combat oriented you might want to try:
Improved Invsibility
Displacement/Blur

Or, if your DM will allow it -- whenever you are hit by an elemental attack, the Contigency casts the appropriate Protection from X spell. This one is a bit iffy though.

 

[Pax]

Trigger: Fiendform (MoF) and Thunderlance (FRCS) ae both in effect on my person at once.

Result: Cast Tenser's Transformation on myself.

...

End product is, lotsa melee-mage cheesy goodness. Fiendform lets you (temporarily) become a (Devil) Barbazu ... and get all the spell-like, supernatural, and other abilities. Bwahaha!

 

[Aloïsius]

Mental trigger... So obvious I didn't think about it...

I was wondering about one attached with a protection from evil but wizards are not n°1 target for the various dominate spells and effect, even in vampire heavy campaign (CotSQ, by example)

 

[Aloïsius]

Trigger: Fiendform (MoF) and Thunderlance (FRCS) ae both in effect on my person at once.

Result: Cast Tenser's Transformation on myself.

...

End product is, lotsa melee-mage cheesy goodness. Fiendform lets you (temporarily) become a (Devil) Barbazu ... and get all the spell-like, supernatural, and other abilities. Bwahaha!

This is a good one. Only problem, Fiendform has been errated IIRC (now it's summon monster 5 )

 

[Pax]

Only SuMon I to V ... ?!?!?

I certainly HOPE you're not remembering correctly ... !!! I mean, what "demons and devils" ARE there, 5th and lower?

OOOOOOOOO, I'll blow a 6th level spell to become a Fiendish Tiger ...or ... a QUASIT ... !!

Bah.

IMC, it stays I-VI, regardless of errata. 'least a Barbazu is competitive with the sorts of cheesiness you could get from a PolySelf spell -- a spell two levls LOWER than Fiendform.

Bah. Stupid WotC clowns.

 

[Aloïsius]

I think they were unhappy wih people (like me) using fiendform (6th level spell) to get teleport without error (7th level), animate dead... at will (the erynie was another great form).
Well, since fiendform give you the outsider type, you can then use polymorph self to gain the STR, DEX, CON and natural armor of any outsider of less than 15 HD. Astral Deva ? Astral Deva.

 

[DM with a vengence]

Call me old fashioned, but I always liked "When I am reduced to below x hitpoints, cast Heal/Teleport me home"

Also good for villains is the "If I am killed, cast Raise Dead." Kepp going, never worry about the future.

 

[Pax]

I think they were unhappy wih people (like me) using fiendform (6th level spell) to get teleport without error (7th level),

Removing the grantign of Spell-Like abilities would have fixed that perfectly. The EX and SU were enough, frankly (the Barbazu's Wound ability, for example).