Need input for a spell idea

[Belbarrus]

Hello all. Can I get opinion on this spell:

Long Step
Transmutation (Teleportation)
Level: Brd #, Sor/Wiz #, Travel #
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Short (50 ft + 5 ft/level)
Target: You
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None

You instantly transfer yourself from you current location to any spot within range. The destination must be visible to you. You always arrive at exactly the spot desired, by seeing the are you wish to move to. You transport yourself only and anything that is considered to be your equipment. You cannot willingly transport into solid matter (especially since the location has to be line of sight). If the destination is not large enough to accomodate your size, the spell fails.
You can choose to have a burst of smoke appear in the square you occupy. You can select to have the smoke appear before you vanish, or appear after you arrive at your destination. The puff of smoke lasts for 1/6 of a round and is merely a visual effect.


So, basically it is a weaker version of Dimension Door (much shorter range, can only TP self, must be LOS), with a puff of smoke for dramatic effect. What I need is what level should this

spell be? I am thinking level 2, but friends have argued that it should be level 3.


Thanks

 

[Merlion]

Their is a spell in Magic Of Faerun thats essentialy identical to this. I think its 3rd level. However to me it seems less powerful than blink and only slightly if at all more useful than say levitate so it could prolly go either way.

 

[CombatWombat51]

I'd say 2nd level for sor/wiz, and bard. For Travel... eh, I think it'd be more of a matter of preference, depending on how you mutated the rest of the list, but I'd prolly still stick with second level.

Reasoning: What wizzie in his right mind is gonna choose this over fireball or fly? Maybe if it could affect people other than the caster, then I might say it's good at 3rd. To make it a solid second level spell, though, I'd require some free material component. If it didn't have one, it'd be an awesome 'get out of jail free' spell, and only at second level.

BTW, Close range is 25'+5'/2 levels, and Medium range is 100' + 10'/level. I don't know if 'Short' range was something you did on purpose or not, I'm just pointing it out =)

 

[Belbarrus]

"I'd require some free material component. If it didn't have one, it'd be an awesome 'get out of jail free' spell, and only at second level. "

That's how I basically intented it; a "Get me out of here" spell hehe. Or a dramatic entrance spell.

"I don't know if 'Short' range was something you did on purpose or not, I'm just pointing it out =)"

Yeah, that was me. I thought that the "close" range was too short and "Medium" was too far, so I just created a "short" range.

Thanks for the feeback.

 

[Spatzimaus]

First, rename it "BAMF!".

It's almost the same as the Dimensional Slide psionic power (3rd level?), which is basically a weakened personal DimDoor. It may be on the weak side of the 3rd-level spells, but IMO it's a bit too strong for 2nd level.

Now, if you added a few more downsides, it'd be fine at 2nd. Add a free Material component or Somatic component. Explicitly add the DimDoor-style disorientation time. Can't teleport through any objects (I know, you said line of sight already, but I'm talking Line of Effect, so no bamfing through a window). Can't change elevation. That sort of thing.