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Let's talk power words!
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<blockquote data-quote="FormerlyHemlock" data-source="post: 6846383" data-attributes="member: 6787650"><p>It's an interesting approach, game balance-wise, but I hate the fluff.</p><p></p><p>To me, power words have always been about the casting time: whereas other 9th level spells are slow-casting, power words cast as quick as a first-level spell. But, 5E's default initiative system discards casting times, making power words kind of nicheless if you're not using Speed Factor Initiative.</p><p></p><p>My suggested fix would be to fiddle with other aspects of the spell: e.g. make them bonus actions like Misty Step. My other fix would be to provide another spell, a divination spell, which can let you sense how much life force enemies have remaining. It would be useful for other things, but would synergize with power word spells. Put these two together and you have a niche for the spell. E.g. first I suck out 8d6 worth of life via Vampiric Touch VIII, and then I bonus action Power Word: Kill you if you're below the threshold.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="FormerlyHemlock, post: 6846383, member: 6787650"] It's an interesting approach, game balance-wise, but I hate the fluff. To me, power words have always been about the casting time: whereas other 9th level spells are slow-casting, power words cast as quick as a first-level spell. But, 5E's default initiative system discards casting times, making power words kind of nicheless if you're not using Speed Factor Initiative. My suggested fix would be to fiddle with other aspects of the spell: e.g. make them bonus actions like Misty Step. My other fix would be to provide another spell, a divination spell, which can let you sense how much life force enemies have remaining. It would be useful for other things, but would synergize with power word spells. Put these two together and you have a niche for the spell. E.g. first I suck out 8d6 worth of life via Vampiric Touch VIII, and then I bonus action Power Word: Kill you if you're below the threshold. [/QUOTE]
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