New haste on WotC website!

[Bauglir]

Re: The lower level scenario
There WOULD be a balance there if the wizard could throw fireballs all day long, had d10 hp/level and was wearing plate. However he can't. Spells are a very limited resource compared to a fighter's attacks, and are casted by a class that's very weak in other ways - they should be appropriately more effective.

Also you don't take into account reflex saves, chance to hit. Typically the fighter's chance to hit will be higher than the wizard's chance to not be saved against (if that makes sense)

You don't take into account the fighter's bonus feats. A fifth level fighter could have Great Cleave, or even Whirlwind Attack, bringing his damage to bear on multiple foes.

Finally (and this is a little nitpicky I know) you chose level 5 - a great level for wizards (You just got fireball!) and a lousy one for fighters (no feat, one away from the first iterative attack), and even then the wizard is only barely keeping up!

Re: The high level scenario

This is the biggest problem with new Haste. Without 2 spells per round, high level wizards are forced to use their save-or-dies to remain competitive, and most people agree save-or-dies don't exactly make for a fun game.

I tended to treat the hasted wizard as the emergency demolitions. The party fighters would be the mainstay of combat, and the wizard would support them in that role, but for those special situations where the big booms are needed I would always keep a few hasted fireballs (or whatever) in reserve.

The hasted sorcerer can let the fireballs flow more freely, but only (and a lot of people tend to forget this when making balance judgements) when there aren't party members in the way..

 

[Darklone]

Ok, wishlist... clearly written rules for at least 4th edition

I am thinking about the "any weapon" stuff... would it really be so unbalanced to give hastened TWF dudes two extra attacks?

And I am sure that the spell is not underpowered now, compare it with Prayer for example...

 

[Number47]

If wizards are so much weaker for you now, then don't play them! Geez, I'm getting sick of this. The true test is going to be that people will continue to play wizards and sorcerors and continue to have fun. People will also continue to play fighters and have fun. People will even start to play rangers and bards and have fun.

Fussing this much over a single spell doesn't show a deficiency in the game, just you.

 

[Number47]

Ok, wishlist... clearly written rules for at least 4th edition

I am thinking about the "any weapon" stuff... would it really be so unbalanced to give hastened TWF dudes two extra attacks?

And I am sure that the spell is not underpowered now, compare it with Prayer for example...

The biggest problem is that, with what you want, it would be worded that the hasted person got an extra attack with each weapon. Not a problem with PCs, but do you really want Mariliths to gain 6 extra attacks?

 

[Hypersmurf]

The biggest problem is that, with what you want, it would be worded that the hasted person got an extra attack with each weapon. Not a problem with PCs, but do you really want Mariliths to gain 6 extra attacks?

I feel that, regardless of whether it's one or one per weapon, Ettins and Hydras should get full benefit

'cos Ettins and Hydras are cool.

-Hyp.

 

[Number47]

Well, in that case, yeah. I mean, obviously ettins and hydras. Who would dispute?

 

[Bauglir]

Edited: Unnecessary & retracted

 

[Piratecat]

Fussing this much over a single spell doesn't show a deficiency in the game, just you.

Necessary? I think not. No personal attacks, please.

 

[Bauglir]

What if...

Quicken spell is often cited as the alternative to haste. I think it was balanced around the effect, however I think the cost is too high - a magic missile using up a 5th level slot? Urgh, AND I have to take a feat to get the priviledge.

What if (House Rule Alert) arcane casters could iteratively cast?
By this I mean (as a full round action) first cast a spell as normal, then iteratively cast spells whose maximum levels were 4 levels lower.

So for example a 10th level wizard could cast a (up to) 5th level spell, then a (up to) 1st level spell.

A 20th level wizard could cast 9th, 5th, 1st.

Would that be overpowered?

 

[Rel]

Re: What if...

Quicken spell is often cited as the alternative to haste. I think it was balanced around the effect, however I think the cost is too high - a magic missile using up a 5th level slot? Urgh, AND I have to take a feat to get the priviledge.

What if (House Rule Alert) arcane casters could iteratively cast?
By this I mean (as a full round action) first cast a spell as normal, then iteratively cast spells whose maximum levels were 4 levels lower.

So for example a 10th level wizard could cast a (up to) 5th level spell, then a (up to) 1st level spell.

A 20th level wizard could cast 9th, 5th, 1st.

Would that be overpowered?

I think this is a pretty interesting idea but I feel you'd be better off to start a thread in House Rules because it isn't going to get the attention it deserves in this thread.

Just MHO.