Improved haste

[Technik4]

Xarls:

Well I was toying around, but I think a combination of ideas could work. Add all the opposite benefits of haste, greater and restrict all movement to 5 ft. per move action (regardless of the form of movement). Additionally you can only take a standard action. I wouldn't make it permanent though, thats a little too uber, imo.


kreynolds:

At 6th level across the board I would probably keep the bonuses at +2, because those aren't really the unbalanced part. I would watch out if you have a Meta-magic feat that lets a spell turn into a Mass Spell for +3 Spell Levels, at 9th level a Mass Haste may become as mandatory as it was in 3.0e for some parties.

I liked it at 8th partly because there isn't much you can do to it meta-magic wise (until epic levels). You can extend it for a 9th level spell, but since it is already going to last 15-16 rounds that isn't really worth it in most situations.

If you moved it to 6th for Sor/Wis I would bump it down to 5th for bards. I can't see any real way of weakening it without reducing the bonuses (which is a minor thing). I like increasing the bonuses because it shows its "greater-ness", but 6th seems a little low for the effect.

I guess it really depends on your campaign and how powerful you want it to be, I just tried to make sure its nearly equally powerful for whoever you cast it on, and I think its pretty close.

Jester:

Marius' Double Actions eh? Sounds like a cool take, but 2-full round actions with a 2wf fighter can be SICK. Reminds me of that magic card "Relentless Assault" let you take 2 combat phases. Also, does that mean a spellcaster can summon using all their actions, or does it still take a round of initiatives? The duration is definitely a limiting factor though, heck even if you extend it (for an 8th level spell) theres no gaurantee it lasts more than 2 rounds!

Technik

 

[kreynolds]

kreynolds:

At 6th level across the board I would probably keep the bonuses at +2, because those aren't really the unbalanced part. I would watch out if you have a Meta-magic feat that lets a spell turn into a Mass Spell for +3 Spell Levels, at 9th level a Mass Haste may become as mandatory as it was in 3.0e for some parties.

I do indeed have a metamagic feat available to turn a spell into a mass spell, but it adds +4 levels, so its ok. I agree that the bonuses don't need to be reduced though. Thanks for the input!

 

[kreynolds]

I have a spell called Marius' double actions in my game that allows you two full rounds worth of actions each round for 1d4 rounds. It's a 7th level wizard spell.

I just wrote up a 9th-level version of haste, dubbed greater haste, no less, which nodds to improved haste (technik's version of greater haste, but with a different name). Here it is...

Haste, Greater
Transmutation
Level: Brd 9, Sor/Wiz 9
Components: V, S, XP
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 round/2 levels

As haste, except as above and the hasted creature gains a +4 bonus on attack rolls and a +4 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
The hasted creature effectively moves twice as fast as normal, allowing it to take two full rounds worth of actions in a single round. Thus, the hasted creature could take two full attack actions and two 5-foot steps; cast two standard action spells and take two full moves; take one full attack action, cast a standard action spell, and take one full move; take two double moves, or cast two 1 round spells and take two 5-foot steps.

The creature does not receive an increase to their base speed as with the haste or improved haste spell.

Multiple haste effects don’t stack. Greater haste dispels and counters slow.

XP Cost: 100 XP.

What do ya'll think? Should the bard level be one level lower? Also, I figured the XP cost would be sufficient. If not, let me know.

 

[the Jester]

I like it, kreynolds.

 

[kreynolds]

I like it, kreynolds.

Thanks! Do you think the XP cost is enough? It would equate to an additional 500 gp per charge on a magic item, or an additional 50,000 gp on a continuous magic item (1,274,000gp). Though a continuous magic item would probably be more. The multiply for 1 round/level spells is 4, so the multiply for 1 round/2 levels spells would probably be even higher, like 5, maybe (1,580,000gp). Of course, those prices just use the spell level pricing formulas, and not the formulas used for the specific bonuses themselves.

 

[Your Immortal DM]

You do realize its a weaker version of using shapechange to change into a Chronotyryn to gain its Dual Actions (Su) ability, MM2 p33.

The shapechange 'trick' lasts longer, has no XP cost, and does the same thing. I'd say remove the XP cost and make it a longer duration (if your playing with the MM2). If not, then it's probably okay.

Your Immortal DM

 

[kreynolds]

You do realize its a weaker version of using shapechange to change into a Chronotyryn to gain its Dual Actions (Su) ability, MM2 p33.

Except that you have to be familar with a chronotyryn to be able to shapechange into one. Also, if actually becoming a chronotyrn isn't what you're going for, then this spell might just be for you.

The shapechange 'trick' lasts longer, has no XP cost, and does the same thing.

Not exactly.

I'd say remove the XP cost and make it a longer duration (if your playing with the MM2).

Well, I do use the MMII, but I don't really see any cause to drop the XP requirement or extend the duration. I'll take it into consideration though. Thanks for the input!

 

[Piratecat]

Good spell, kreynolds. I like.

 

[kreynolds]

Thanks!