Is Miasma still too powerful?

[Lamoni]

In another thread about banned spells, Miasma came up probably most often as one of the spells that were not allowed. Of course, the most popular answer was still not banning any spells.

Anyway, I was wondering if people banned it based on what is written in complete Divine and ignore the errata OR if they still ban it after the errata.

Is Miasma still too powerful, or is it acceptable with the change? I just want to get some feedback before the druid in my campaign has the chance to take it.

The errata states: Page 168–169: Miasma
Change the spell as follows:
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Also, add the following text after the first sentence of
the spell’s description:
The subject cannot speak. Conversation is impossible,
spells with verbal components cannot be cast, bardic
music cannot be performed, and no noise other than
coughing and spitting is possible.

Edit: Thanks Hypersmurf for moving the thread

 

[Sammael]

Of course, the most popular answer was still not banning any spells.

The key word there being core spells. As in, those listed in the Player's Handbook. All spells from all other sources are automatically pre-banned IMC, until I have the time to look at them.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Edit: I meant to post this in the rules forum (where I think this better belongs), if someone could slide this thread over there it would be appreciated.

By your command...

-Hyp.
(Moderator)

 

[Lamoni]

Sorry to resurrect this from page two, but I wanted to get at least one reply. I agree that Miasma was too powerful without the errata. It looks fine to me with the change, but I haven't playtested it. Maybe someone can see ways that this spell can still be abused... or if not, just a statement that you think the spell is fine now would be nice.

I would like to just leave the entire content from the complete books open to my players, but I don't want it to disrupt the game balance too much. In that case, I'd prefer to prevent the spell beforehand rather than retracting it later. Thanks for any help.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Personally adding the save (neg) and narrowing the scope of 'cannot do anything other than spit and choke' made it fine or even sub-par.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I think it's fine now. My problem with it as always been the lack of save.

 

[Nail]

Post the spell plus erratta using "quote" tags? Then we can see what we're talking about.

 

[Brother MacLaren]

Are you technically "helpless" under the effect of Miasma, or are you simply unable to act (as if dazed)?

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Not technically helpless. Despite my general rule that expansion book druid spells are broken are likely to be broken simply by being expansion book druid spells, I think the erratted Miasma is reasonable. One level higher and finger of death can make you actually DEAD with a failed fort save. At 6th level, with the erratta, Miasma is an interesting spell, but not a broken one.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Not technically helpless. Despite my general rule that expansion book druid spells are broken are likely to be broken simply by being expansion book druid spells, I think the erratted Miasma is reasonable. One level higher and finger of death can make you actually DEAD with a failed fort save. At 6th level, with the erratta, Miasma is an interesting spell, but not a broken one.

I think that the errata'd miasma is basically a no-go zone. It's
a) Crap
b) No fun

Some interpretations of the unerrata'd version had some merit however, specifically (IIRC) the ones where you could switch between holding your breath and coughing and spluttering.