Hypersmurf
Moderatarrrrh...
And Cosmopolitan is just such an important feat!
-Hyp.
-Hyp.
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Is "Spellcasting Prodigy" feat too powerful?
- Thread starter mooby
- Start date
pariahic
First Post
Hypersmurf said:
I have to take Cosmopolitan next level so that my
Kobold Sorcerer can qualify for the Arcane Devotee
PreC by 10th level.
I can't belive I'm going to blow a feat to make
*Knowledge: religeon* a class skill.
--
Pariahic
ICQ: 879171
http://www.livejournal.com/~pariahic
ruleslawyer
Registered User
I'm pretty sick of FR-bashing myself. I'd say that FR products probably contain options for feats, PrCs, and spells that are mechanically superior to core options, but these are still inferior to the splatbook options, most options contained in third-party products, and certainly most options in OA/Rokugan products.
Here's my list of problematic FR options:
-Spell Power: This one isn't necessarily even overpowered, depending on how easily acquired save bonuses are IYC. If you do consider it overpowered, the key is to limit spell power progression for the shadow adept and the archmage (the red wizard and hierophant both pay a heavy enough price for the ability), or to disallow spell power from different sources from stacking.
-Spellfire: ONLY problematic at low levels. At 5th level or higher, the ability to inflict 18d6 damage on one creature with a ranged touch attack subject both to spell resistance and a Reflex save is actually not particularly great, at least if you consider the fact that this is only usable once at a time, costs 18 levels worth of spell slots, and requires an 18 Con to employ, and a high Dex to aim properly. Spellfire really only creates issues when that once-per-day blast can obliterate the DM's favored BBEG. Besides, it's subject to DM approval for a reason.
-Spelldancer (funny pattern we're building here, no?): This is just poorly written. The infinite feedback loop just needs to be eliminated, which is possible if you place a simple limit on the number of rounds of spelldancing possible per day.
-Kiss of the vampire: Just raise this spell a level.
-Incanatrix: The problem with this class isn't the class itself; it's the interaction of a stackable Empower Spell feat and the Improved Metamagic ability (something which comes up for epic-level characters, BTW). My solution is to forbid Empower from stacking with itself unless the feat is taken multiple times.
What else d'you have problems with?
Here's my list of problematic FR options:
-Spell Power: This one isn't necessarily even overpowered, depending on how easily acquired save bonuses are IYC. If you do consider it overpowered, the key is to limit spell power progression for the shadow adept and the archmage (the red wizard and hierophant both pay a heavy enough price for the ability), or to disallow spell power from different sources from stacking.
-Spellfire: ONLY problematic at low levels. At 5th level or higher, the ability to inflict 18d6 damage on one creature with a ranged touch attack subject both to spell resistance and a Reflex save is actually not particularly great, at least if you consider the fact that this is only usable once at a time, costs 18 levels worth of spell slots, and requires an 18 Con to employ, and a high Dex to aim properly. Spellfire really only creates issues when that once-per-day blast can obliterate the DM's favored BBEG. Besides, it's subject to DM approval for a reason.
-Spelldancer (funny pattern we're building here, no?): This is just poorly written. The infinite feedback loop just needs to be eliminated, which is possible if you place a simple limit on the number of rounds of spelldancing possible per day.
-Kiss of the vampire: Just raise this spell a level.
-Incanatrix: The problem with this class isn't the class itself; it's the interaction of a stackable Empower Spell feat and the Improved Metamagic ability (something which comes up for epic-level characters, BTW). My solution is to forbid Empower from stacking with itself unless the feat is taken multiple times.
What else d'you have problems with?
ruleslawyer
Registered User
Mea culpa.
It can be counterspelled via dispel magic, though, unlike most supernatural abilities.
It can be counterspelled via dispel magic, though, unlike most supernatural abilities.
green slime
First Post
Spellcasting Prodigy, is in my opinion one of the best feats. Not because of it being broken, but because it is an attractive feat, that is well worth considering, but not neccessarily a must have.
And the quality of stuff from the FR series is excellent, and I don't game in the Realms. Sure some stuff doesn't get used and I find it over the top, but it in NO WAY approaches what is available in the Rokugan series, alot of Dragon articles.
In general I find FR to be about the same level as the class splat books, just with better quality paper, better writing, better pictures, better value for money.
And the quality of stuff from the FR series is excellent, and I don't game in the Realms. Sure some stuff doesn't get used and I find it over the top, but it in NO WAY approaches what is available in the Rokugan series, alot of Dragon articles.
In general I find FR to be about the same level as the class splat books, just with better quality paper, better writing, better pictures, better value for money.
Dash Dannigan
First Post
*nod* What Green Slime said. FR is quality work, many folk who talk smack are either knee jerking, don't care enough to figure out where the balance lies, or have heard about it but never read any of it. In general FR stuff is just good. 
Shard O'Glase
First Post
Dash Dannigan said:*nod* What Green Slime said. FR is quality work, many folk who talk smack are either knee jerking, don't care enough to figure out where the balance lies, or have heard about it but never read any of it. In general FR stuff is just good.
There is a lot of good things in the book but a lot of crap as well. I'd say a lot fo spells, some feats, and some prestige classes are too good.But even the coe books aren't perfectly balanced so I don't think FR blew it.
Okay, to be honest it isn't just the power level. I switched away from the realms, because we'd played there for over a deacade. It felt so been there, done that. We'd had a campaign (or more than one) in every region, and most of the cities. We knew it inside and out. The uber-NPCs and metaplots were getting pretty old too. Time for something new.
After I'd decided that, I hear about the Incanatrix and spellcasting prodigy and spellfire and all the other stuff that makes the abuses in the Sultans of Smack thread even more egregious.
And cosmopolitan isn't needed. It's completely irrelevent. If your skills don't match your background I'll let you swap them, as per customizing your character in the PHB. Unless of course you're a power gamer that wants Listen, Spot, Search, or Tumble added as a class skill. Those are too powerful and useful. Multiclass or cross class. Or come up with one heckuva background.
After I'd decided that, I hear about the Incanatrix and spellcasting prodigy and spellfire and all the other stuff that makes the abuses in the Sultans of Smack thread even more egregious.
And cosmopolitan isn't needed. It's completely irrelevent. If your skills don't match your background I'll let you swap them, as per customizing your character in the PHB. Unless of course you're a power gamer that wants Listen, Spot, Search, or Tumble added as a class skill. Those are too powerful and useful. Multiclass or cross class. Or come up with one heckuva background.
