New spell - Blend the Insides

[drowdude]

How do you explain the Fortification armor enhancement then? At maximum enhancement, 100%, it grants total immunity to critical hits, but ONLY critical hits. This spell just removes the chance that someone will get a lucky hit on you. With the fortification armor, a rogue can still SA you because she knows how to deal serious amounts of damage. This spell doesn't protect against that.

But don't ignore my question. How do you explain the Fortification armor enhancement? Thought so...

Um, terribly sorry, but I dont have to explain it at all. It explains itself quite admirably.

*CAREFULLY* read the description of the Fortification ability on page 181 of the DMG. I am sure you will see that you are wrong.

Thank you. That is all.

 

[kreynolds]

OK. My bad. Just saw that. I guess I got a bit too caught up in trying to defend myself from such an offensive and grating poster, namely DrowDude. I got some really good input from some people, but DrowDude, you just waste my time with your gruffness.

The spell was specifically designed to protect only against critical hits. We aren't dealing with real world physics. We are dealing with MAGIC. If I wanted the spell to protect against crits, SAs, etc, I would have made it a much higher level. But I didn't. That kinda suggests that, well, maybe I didn't want it high level.

And DrowDude? This is the custom rules board. If you don't like the spell, that's fine, just leave it alone. And don't quote me the construct rules because I know how they work. Fortification, yeah, I was confused, but I know how constructs, etc, work. I'm finished with you for now.

One more thing DrowDude. I do value your opinion, honestly. But you don't need to be so rough about it. I can be just as rough as you but I'd rather not get in a phallic measuring contest with you as it's a waste of my time. I have fun with DnD and I have fun on these boards, but please don't get me wrong, it's not my life. Your crass input won't harm my ego in the slightest, as I have plenty of ego to go around. But please keep your input coming because it does help in it's own way.

Now! For everyone else, this is basically the theme I was going for: The spell transforms your vital organs, toughening them, shrinking them, whatever (it just makes them harder to hit). Therefore, you no longer have vital spots. You can use whatever kind of descriptive text you like, but the above are just examples.

I allowed sneak attack damage because 1) you are not considered a construct nor do you have construct-like qualities 2) you are not one solid organ, it's just that much harder to really get in a debilitating hit. I figured the only people that would really have a chance of dealing you extra damage were classes that have the SA ability. For instance, your heart, kidneys, liver, etc have been widely distributed throughout your body. However, muscles for instance, are not considered vital organs, so it is still quite possible for a rogue or assassin or blackguard to hamstring you. That's just an example.

It would also be easy enough to design the spell so that it DOES protect against SAs as well. I would just need to bump up the level. I think I'll go hit the drawing board and see what I can come up with. As for this spell, I've gotten both yeas and neas so I guess I'll leave it up here to get more input before I change anything yet.

 

[drowdude]

kreynolds:

I was providing a different point of view. The spell had implications that were being overlooked. Eol and I had some back and forth posts there but nothing I would consider hostile, and it seemed to end in good humor. Methinks you were reading too much into my responses.

However, in your vain attempt to defend against my opinion of your spell you basically made an @$$ of yourself.
Not by being wrong of course, I am often wrong myself and freely admit when I am, and do not fault others when they make such mistakes.

This... "But don't ignore my question. How do you explain the Fortification armor enhancement? Thought so... " however, was unnecessary...

If I came off as gruff, or whatever, in response to that, my apologies. I suppose that forced me from friendly banter mode to defensive mode, or something like that.

Also, I never said that I didnt like the spell, I was simply making the point that *I* thought it was closer in power to a 3rd level spell due to the various implications (in the rules) when you make something or someone immune to critical hits.
That is why you posted it right? As a poll no less...

 

[drowdude]

The spell was specifically designed to protect only against critical hits. We aren't dealing with real world physics. We are dealing with MAGIC. If I wanted the spell to protect against crits, SAs, etc, I would have made it a much higher level. But I didn't. That kinda suggests that, well, maybe I didn't want it high level.

Now! For everyone else, this is basically the theme I was going for: The spell transforms your vital organs, toughening them, shrinking them, whatever (it just makes them harder to hit). Therefore, you no longer have vital spots. You can use whatever kind of descriptive text you like, but the above are just examples.

I allowed sneak attack damage because 1) you are not considered a construct nor do you have construct-like qualities 2) you are not one solid organ, it's just that much harder to really get in a debilitating hit. I figured the only people that would really have a chance of dealing you extra damage were classes that have the SA ability. For instance, your heart, kidneys, liver, etc have been widely distributed throughout your body. However, muscles for instance, are not considered vital organs, so it is still quite possible for a rogue or assassin or blackguard to hamstring you. That's just an example.

That explanation really doesnt work. You could use the same argument (muscles, hamstringing, etc...) to justify critical damage on the target.

I am just trying to point out that your explanation is inconsistent.

But as you said, this *is* a house rules forum, you can Rule 0 whatever you like.

 

[kreynolds]

Ok, ya see...

That's how you started off, drowdude. Not a good start. I usually ignore punk posts like that, but hey, I was feeling spunky. But anyway, on to further clarification...

That explanation really doesnt work. You could use the same argument (muscles, hamstringing, etc...) to justify critical damage on the target.

What I am justifying is only certain aspects of critical damage, not all of the various types of damage normally associated with critical hits. Critical hits are based completely off of chance. There is no skill involved in a critical hit. Sure, there are magics that can aid you in getting CH, some weapons, and one whole whopping feat, but it has nothing to do with fighting prowess. An SA however, is all about skill. IMO, a critical is all about luck, whereas an SA is all about skill and training. This spell could easily block all forms of critical damage, as you suggest. And as I said before, the spell level could easily be raised. But, there is one problem. Take a look at the polls.

I realize the spell is out of the norm but it looks like some people might have an idea of what I'm going for. And yes, I did make myself look like an oaf, mostly because I got a bit excited about the feedback and jumped ahead of myself. I do that a lot, just ask CRGreathouse or Hypersmurf.

I don't want to just rule what I feel like. I don't DM like that. However, I could care less what your opinion is if you cannot offer it in a civilized and adult manor. Understand?

Now, let me ask you a question. If your feelings on this matter are that spells like this shouldn't be created because of RULES, then what the heck are doing on the House Rules board? Just a thought...

 

[trentonjoe]

Wow!

Mr. Reynolds I think you should relax a bit. This is a great spell and a good post being ruined by two intelligent posters slinging insults at each other.

Why don't both of you guys go back and delete the argument parts of your posts so that new people will be more likely to respond.

I would hate to see this thread end because I really like the spell.

 

[kreynolds]

After the night of good rest I just had, that is a really good idea, Trent.

 

[kreynolds]

Updated Version!

OK. Here is the updated version:

Blend the Insides
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Target: Self
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

This unusual spell transforms a subject’s internal organs into so much mush, granting them immunity to critical hits and subdual damage for the spell’s duration. The subject’s physiology still functions normally.

The material components for this spell are two small clumps of clay shaped into a heart and brain, which are crushed in the palm during the casting. They clay may be reused but must be reshaped.

Note: Parts of the first paragraph of the description (i.e. so much mush) is just flavor text.

Let me know if that looks better. Also, I'm working on a higher level version. Who knows, maybe I'll like the higher level one enough to just throw this one out.

 

[drowdude]

kreynolds:

3 vs 5 in the poll isnt exactly an overwhelming majority...

edit: left out overwhelming in the statement initially... and obviously the # of votes has since changed

I sometimes post in a "gruff" manner I suppose. But if you take offense that easily I really dont think you should be posting stuff up on these boards for feedback. There are numerous individuals a good deal less "civilized" than myself.

You continue to defend your points by saying it is a house rule. However you are overlooking the fact that I am merely sharing my opinion. Just because that opinion is different from yours (and several others) doesnt mean that I am trying to bash your ideas or anything of the sort.
I was trying to make you aware of how this spell, as you described it, should work within the rules. Nothing more.

What are you doing on any message board if you dont like hearing different points of view?

 

[drowdude]

Re: Updated Version!

OK. Here is the updated version:

Range: Personal


Let me know if that looks better. Also, I'm working on a higher level version. Who knows, maybe I'll like the higher level one enough to just throw this one out.

Ok... now it's a second level spell.

Even if I dont agree with your interpretations of the rules