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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silveras" data-source="post: 1436365" data-attributes="member: 6271">I think it is great to see a set of options that play with the fringes of the combat rules. I own a copy of the book, and find it interesting. Granted, I don't play the minis game and so the latter half of the book is less-than-useful to me. However, the first half of the book has some good stuff in it (mixed in with the not-so-good). Provoking AoOs is a neat effect for a spell. A tactic of questionable usefulness, generally, but sometimes useful.One of the things that the book's contents is good for is forcing people -- players and DMs -- to re-evaluate their assumptions. The availability of new tools may mean that old tactics are not so certain of being effective anymore. With regard to Core rules: The Miniatures Handbook is not a core book. Judging a book of optional rules about how well it adheres to the standard rules is kind of silly. Snake's Swiftness is a spell that parallels the ability of the Marshal class (also in the Miniatures HB, but available for downloade from the Wizards webs site as a preview) to grant an extra Move Action to "any and all allies within 30 feet". They act immediately, without affecting their initiative order. Snake's Swiftness grants an extra melee or ranged attack (only). The extra attacks specifically do not stack -- you can't benefit from the spell twice in one round, nor can you benefit if you've already used an extra attack from Haste. Being honest, I can't see many Wizards preparing Bigby's Slapping Hand. There are so many other 2nd level spells that are more useful, except in very specific circumstances. I see it as being of more use to Sorcerers ... it is the kind of spell you would not prepare often, but if it is something you can pull out when the unexpected opportunity arises, it could be pure gold. Sorcerers get so few spell choices that selecting this one is almost a penalty in and of itself, as it is unlikely to come up often.   Baleful Transposition is indeed Close range. Again, though, while it is something that could be useful on occasion, I don't see it as being all that compelling to prepare. It seems to me that the most frequent use is likely to be "I'm way too far out in front and need to get back to the party," an escape spell like Expeditious Retreat. I would think that when fighting a lone enemy, either it is the BBEG and you don't want it in the middle of the party, or it is a minion that is outnumbered and losing anyway. The Curse of Impending Blades is, speaking as a DM, a good alternative to the Core rules' Bestow Curse. The CoIB is a -2 penalty to AC for 1 min/level. BC is -6 to one stat, or -4 to attacks/saves, or 50/50 do nothing this round, and is permanent until removed. True, there is a save for BC. I don't see a problem with CoIB.  I am among the most staunch advocates of the DM's need to balance things for his/her campaign. However, before raising any spell levels, I'd need to read the whole spell description and see what else is in use in the campaign. In a world where the Marshal class does not exist, Snake's Swiftness may well be too good for a 2nd level spell; however, if the Marshal class is around, that may change things.</blockquote>

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