New 1st level spell

[FoxWander]

That said, I believe the spell you've written is significantly too powerful for a first-level spell.

I agree with all your other points about M&M and such, but this I'm not sure about. A chance of being nauseated by a 1st level spell is no worse than being put to sleep or unconscious, blinded, and stunned. However nauseated is an effect that first shows up in 2nd level spells though- so there's that to consider.

My real problem with the spell is that the "rainbow" description doesn't match the effect of the spell. It describes fx from the different energy types and yet it does no damage from those energies. Other "rainbow" spells either do multi-type damage effects or strictly light effects (fascination).

So, basically the spell as written is a bunch of contradictions. Description doesn't mesh with effect. And the effect is perfectly inline, power-wise, with other 1st level spells (it's save-or-lose just like sleep or color spray) but specifically doesn't show up in other spells until 2nd level. Description, effects and mechanics aside, however, IMHO the end result (fail the save and you're potentially out of the fight) is on par with other 1st level effects.

 

[Mark1733]

I agree with all your other points about M&M and such, but this I'm not sure about. A chance of being nauseated by a 1st level spell is no worse than being put to sleep or unconscious, blinded, and stunned. However nauseated is an effect that first shows up in 2nd level spells though- so there's that to consider.

My real problem with the spell is that the "rainbow" description doesn't match the effect of the spell. It describes fx from the different energy types and yet it does no damage from those energies. Other "rainbow" spells either do multi-type damage effects or strictly light effects (fascination).

So, basically the spell as written is a bunch of contradictions. Description doesn't mesh with effect. And the effect is perfectly inline, power-wise, with other 1st level spells (it's save-or-lose just like sleep or color spray) but specifically doesn't show up in other spells until 2nd level. Description, effects and mechanics aside, however, IMHO the end result (fail the save and you're potentially out of the fight) is on par with other 1st level effects.

Thanks again for the great input. As far as the contradiction with the use of the term (rainbow), Foxwander, "Rainbow" spells simply represent the various energies by the different colors. It just happens to be that only damage has been the effect. There are only a couple of rainbow spells as it is. Short of damage, I thought sickening was a possibility. Just because it hasn't been done before I don't think excludes the possibility. That same point was made regarding the staged save aspect. All that said, I am up for a "colorful" name other than "rainbow"--that's easy to change. Simply "Colorful Cloud," maybe?


To continue, the way I originally presented the spell to my DM was that the swirling particles of energy (ROYGB) were damaging (that would escalate with level) and concealing. He said, and rightly so, that there was way too much power there for 1st level. So in my modification, I focused on the sickening and possible nauseating effects. My revision said that the particles were concentrated enough to neither damage nor conceal, only irritate respiratory systems. I didn't focus on changing the name.


For those of you who thought it was too powerful, I focused on the area of effect for limitation. Where other fog and cloud spells spread out in a 10 to 20-ft radius or more, this is limited to a 15' cube (basically 9 squares). The idea being that the person targeted (as I generally thought it would be used) is at the center, would be a medium-sized creature, and would be forced to spend a move action to get out of the cloud rather than a free 5-ft step. I tried to tailor it toward wizards, rogues, and sorcerers who would have lower Fort Saves. I thought the lingering sickening and nauseating were the more interesting effects considering I am realistically hitting 1 or 2 targets at best. I have yet to encounter some cluster of nine enemies in a perfect square. Those other effects even at 2nd level can affect MANY targets, including your own party. Pyrotechnics (2nd lvl) choking smoke cloud spreads out 20 feet in all directions, obscures and possibly -4 to str and dex not making the Fort save; SR doesn't apply because it's a Conj spell. The other side of the spell is a possible blinding flash that affects everyone within 120 feet!!! (both SR and Will save can possibly negate.)

Also, technically, creatures that don't breathe cannot be affected...gelatinous cube, skeleton, etc. I guess technically if it doesn't have eyes or is otherwise blind, the nauseation couldn't occur either. The Fort save in my mind represented either holding your breath or otherwise remaining tough against the irritiation of the particles. If you didn't get sickened, the swirling colors weren't enough on their own to make things bad...they could only worsen the effect once sickened.

The real question of all this debate (which has been really helpful for me) is would you consider it your arsenal of spells, or is there something already similar that you would turn to.