Low-level spell combos/tactics (BILL - STAY OUT!)

[shilsen]

I'm running a 5th lvl gnome diviner (180-yr old grandmother, but that's another story) and thought I'd pick the minds of those on these boards for tips on creative and/or unusual tactics to use in combat. I've taken evocation as the banned school, so no big bang spells, and I'm more interested in strategies which weaken, harass, and preferably embarrass the enemy. Ones which help protect my PC are appreciated too.

We're using core PHB stuff now, though metamagic uses the spontaneous metamagic rule from UA (can be applied spontaneously 3/day, without taking a higher level spell slot). My PC has every 1st lvl spell in her spellbook as well as a lot of 2nd level and few 3rd lvl ones, and could probably get her hands on any which she doesn't have. She can also use banned or non-wizard spells with Use Magic Device, but has a low bonus in it (+5).

Some basic combos I had in mind:

1) Have the party archer fire a flaming arrow at enemies in the distance and ready to cast a pyrotechnics spell on it as it reaches them.

2) Shrink Item on a large, heavy object. Hang it above a door the bad guys are coming through (if we have time) or just toss it at them and end the spell. Ker-splat!

3) Use Silent Image to create a wall of fog or some other barrier between the enemy and the party. With my PC telling the others that it's an illusion and giving them a +4 to save, at least some of them should be able to see through it and nail the enemy (who can't see through it till they actually interact with the illusion) with ranged weapons and spells.

4) Grease and Stinking Cloud on the same area. Drops speed down to a quarter and has a chance to nauseate them.

5) Alter Self into an avariel (the PC archer is one) for flight and maneuverability purposes.

Any others? Thanks, in advance.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Some basic combos I had in mind:

1) Have the party archer fire a flaming arrow at enemies in the distance and ready to cast a pyrotechnics spell on it as it reaches them.

Or after it reaches them. This is a pretty good one.

2) Shrink Item on a large, heavy object. Hang it above a door the bad guys are coming through (if we have time)

Sure. Creative use of the spell.

or just toss it at them and end the spell.

Frankly, get lost. The amount of damage that shrink item can do is pretty ludicrous. If you're set up ahead of time, then it's not all that bad to allow it, but as a general combat tactic I'd never let it happen, any more than flying and dropping small objects from extreme heights.

Ker-splat!
3) Use Silent Image to create a wall of fog or some other barrier between the enemy and the party. With my PC telling the others that it's an illusion and giving them a +4 to save, at least some of them should be able to see through it and nail the enemy (who can't see through it till they actually interact with the illusion) with ranged weapons and spells.

This one's fabulous. I'd suggest a wall of fog, because it's believable that your party can fire through it.

4) Grease and Stinking Cloud on the same area. Drops speed down to a quarter and has a chance to nauseate them.

Note that grease is a 10 foot square. It's a pretty terrible spell all up.

5) Alter Self into an avariel (the PC archer is one) for flight and maneuverability purposes.

Any others? Thanks, in advance.

Alter self is da bomb.

 

[shilsen]

Frankly, get lost. The amount of damage that shrink item can do is pretty ludicrous. If you're set up ahead of time, then it's not all that bad to allow it, but as a general combat tactic I'd never let it happen, any more than flying and dropping small objects from extreme heights.

I can understand the opinion that shrink item can do too much damage. But how do you reconcile that opinion with saying that using it to drop on someone coming through a door is creative? If it's bad when tossed at someone, it's bad when hung above a door? Right?

Note that grease is a 10 foot square. It's a pretty terrible spell all up.

I know that the space is fairly small, but I wouldn't call it a terrible spell. Drop a readied grease in front of the big, bad charging guy and ruin his attack. Grease someone's sword and watch him have a hell of a time using it on your allies. Drop a grease on your pal being grappled by a huge creature. Grease the evil cleric's holy symbol and mess up his chances of holding it to cast a spell.

 

[shilsen]

I intended to post this thread on the Rules forum, so I cross-posted there: http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=103814

Could one of the mods close this one? Thanks.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Drop a readied grease in front of the big, bad charging guy and ruin his attack. Grease someone's sword and watch him have a hell of a time using it on your allies. Drop a grease on your pal being grappled by a huge creature. Grease the evil cleric's holy symbol and mess up his chances of holding it to cast a spell.

Of course any of these require a failed save, except the charging one, and there's a million ways to foil a charge if you've got a readied action, especially with magic

I WANT to like grease. But the pitiful area and flawed mechanics (staying standing up requires a reflex save OR balance check, depending on when it's done?) make it hard to do.

It IS good for grapple-escape, and has passable applications as a disabler, but really there are so many other spells at that level.

IF grease was a larger area (like say a 10ft spread even), then it would become worth my while. As is, it merely wastes people's 5ft steps.