Masters of the Arcane

[Voadam]

Vincent: Powerword Pain is fine.

I remember power word pain being discussed when it was introduced in an FR book. People were saying it was an example of a ridiculously broken spell.

IIRC it was a second level spell that inflicted an insignificant minor amount of damage but also incapacitated a target with no save for a number of rounds. Significantly more powerful than the 7th level Power Word Stun.

I think the only defenses were SR and being immune to the type of magic it was.

What's the wording for it in Races of Dragon?

 

[Walking Dad]

A level one spell:

Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

You utter a single word of power that instantly deals 1d6 points of damage to one creature of your choice, and another 1d6 points in every round thereafter for as long as the spell lasts.
The duration of the spell depends on the target’s current hit point total, as shown below. Any creature that currently has 101 or more hit points is unaffected by power word pain.

Hit Points              Duration
50 or less             4d4 rounds
51–75                  2d4 rounds
76–100                1d4 rounds

 

[Halford]

[Sblock=Quote]As the human collapsed, rolling in agony he continued his pacing, the corners of his mouth touching at a gentle smile. "Don't worry, he's just in pain." He murmured, chuckling as he approached the group.[/Sblock]

I think the description of power word pain was a little over egged. 1d6 of damage, for a 20th level character is more likely to engender an, "Ow, stop that." than a collapse. This was probably confusing to those not familiar with the spell.

 

[Voadam]

Ah, so it is just ridiculous damage for a 1st level spell. 4-16 d6's with no applicable elemental resistances/immunities for a first level spell that a 1st level caster can do. About 10d6, as much damage as two max caster level magic missiles with no shield defense.

2nd level acid arrow only does up to 14d4 damage and you have to be at least 18th level.

Granted, an unwounded 20th level wizard with a 14 con will have about 70 hp and only take 2-8d6 no save and it is not quick enough damage to be very useful in an arena spell duel or to affect many level appropriate CR'd encounter monsters/adversaries.

Does power word pain require a special draconic feat to use?

 

[Halford]

No, no it does not. Don't get me wrong Voadam I am not saying I would allow it in a on a month of sundays, at this level it doesn't really matter, but at low levels cast it runaway and your opponent dies - ludicrous.

 

[Albedo]

You know, while the spell is certainly a kick in the teeth, it is hardly unmanageable. Getting away at lower levels can be much more difficult than you would make it seem, and honestly a greatsword fighter can top that damage very easily, especially when you take into account you only take 1d6 a round, rather than taking the damage lump sum. You would be better off magic missiling your opponent to death. And if they have a healer, it just requires minor attention every few rounds to negate the effects. Honestly doesn't seem that good to me after like third level.

Now I do understand the application of a near automatic death, but consider that as a PC, this only really matters with imporant NPCs. Standard battles with low level minions, who cares if they die out eventually after they beat you up. Monsters, same thing. The only truly scary application of this spell is a DM using it against PCs, which shouldn't happen unless your DM is a jerk.

 

[Dire Lemming]

Well the usage here was a PC using it on a PC. Considering that we're all arcane spell casters with fairly low HP and fairly high Will saves, that spell is extremely dangerous. If it's BS at low levels it doesn't become not BS at high levels just because I can survive three of them instead of one.

Also, Vincent described it like it had some sort of paralysis effect but really all it does is damage. I really don't appreciate it when someone takes over my character, especially if it's not even the DM. Of course it does way too much damage for a level one spell.

Did I get my HP back from Alphina's attack? Also, you mentioned that I should trade out Lesser Geas for something else, but do you have any suggestions?

 

[Vincent Tempes]

After glancing back at the spell, I'll first off appologize. I actually misread the spell effects (Getting it confused with the Symbol of Pain style of spell). It actually makes a lot more sense now (It seemed a bit odd that a level 1 spell was so strong. Though ironically, this version is worse in its own way.)

Feel free to replace Power Word: Pain with Stun. I hadn't used my standard action in the round, so the effect isn't changed, instead of being stunned in pain for two rounds, you were merely stunned with... well, stun.

 

[Halford]

Well as a DM its more the run into the big bads room, cast and expeditious retreat away approach that scares me. But for our purposes it really does not matter. DM rules it in so its in, simple as that.

Please understand Albedo I am not trying to critisize your choices when I say that I would not allow spell x. One of the reasons DnD is such a great game is that the experience is ever the same, and though I don't always agree with my DMs decisions I am always 100% behind their right to make them. I have not got the impression you've been upset just preemptively putting this out there .

And I hope you will all understand that I love argueing and mean no offense when I do - feel free to tell me to put a sock in it!

 

[Jemal]

OK, 2 pages worth of posts to respond to.. yikes, here goes :

Just as a heads up for those who don't know me - I have opinions, and I'm very forward about stating my opinions. I usually don't worry about who disagrees with me or how, I just say what I have to say and keep going. I attempt to avoid saying things that will Specifically piss somebody off, or getting into flame wars, but if I disagree with you, I WILL tell you so.
[joke]If you don't like that, then don't disagree with me. [/joke]

First, I didn't realize you were the DM Jemal. Thank you for answering my question. I only started browsing this board a few days ago and when this RPG caught my attention there were over 18 pages. Forgive me for not reading through all of them to know whether what I wanted to ask had been covered in some way.
*SNIP*
I'd appreciate if you didn't vent your frustrations about other player's at me by rudely answering a question I was addressing to the DM, Jemal. It is rude and disrespectful. This is a game that all of us are here to try to enjoy so we should all try to play nice. Leave it to the DM to answer questions that are being addressed to the DM!

First:
I'm NOT the DM as you obviously know, and I would appreciate it if you aimed your sarcastic quips elsewhere. I was neither rude nor venting my frustrations. If I'm frustrated or angry at someone, I make it known, but I do not take it out on others. My way of speaking is (as has been stated before) rather straightforward, and I apologize if you see straightforward speech as rude, but it won't change the way I talk.
Second:
The question you asked has been asked several times. I'm wasn't saying I expected you to read all of the thread, but as the answer was the same the first few times, and I have allready answered the same way to this question before on the DM's behalf, I felt it was not overstepping my bounds. Albedo hasn't seemed to mind me pitching in opinions and reiterating answers he's allready given, and until he tells me to stop, I'm gonna go on making his life simpler. If you haven't noticed, we tend to do a lot of posting in between his posts, and unlike you, he can't just skip them, so if we can resolve something without having to wait for him, so much the better.
Finally : You're welcome.

Thanks to those of you whom have allready..er.. 'defended' me.

Dire Lemming - YOU I may owe an apology to. I was ticked at you during my last post, and although I meant what I said at the time, I perhaps should not have said it in such an antagonistic manner. I do believe your pacifistic mage will fit in nicely, and hope our OOC disagreement will not affect our IC ability to work together.

Halford - Yes, that question has been answered allready. Also, I must still disagree with you, if I think a spell is cool, I'll continue thinking a spell is cool, whether others think it's broken/overpowered/overused/whatever doesn't matter to me. I use spells I find interesting.
Although, I do love arguing as well, so if you want to continue, I'd be delighted to keep going at it with someone who knows I'm not making it personal.

Random:
I Agree with Vincent that arguments amongst cocky/confident/arrogant people can and often do turn into fights, especially if and when there are few or no lasting consequences.

Voadam - Hey, just noticed you didn't post at all during our little fun-time, Your Drow too good to play with the rest of the kids? (j/k, though you should post with us more. )