New Spell: Saethorn's Polite Tap

[UltimaGabe]

Saethorn's Polite Tap
Evocation
Level: Brd 0, Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: None
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell causes the target to receive a slight physical "tap" from the caster.
The "tap" may be light or forceful (caster's choice)- in either case, it deals no damage and cannot affect objects, nor can it be used to disrupt spellcasting. The target may make a Wisdom check (DC 5) to know which direction the tap came from; otherwise its origin is unknown. This spell is mostly used to get a specific person's attention without drawing the attention of others- and as it has no verbal or somatic components, it can be easily utilized by bound, gagged, and Held individuals.

What do you all think? Would it be too powerful (considering it really doesn't do much at all) to change the casting time to 1 swift action rather than a standard action?

Comments and/or critiques please.

 

[Tessarael]

Spell Resistance should apply, as you're not producing some non-magical effect.

I also might want to limit the tap location, say to the creature's shoulder.

 

[Ferret]

Looks very good. I like it a lot, I don't think there would be any problems about making it a swift action.

Is it a mental tap or does it feel physical.

Maybe it could be universal? Although evocation fits well.

 

[Talrinys]

This spell is really cool, been wanting more of these spells.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Spell Resistance should apply, as you're not producing some non-magical effect.

I also might want to limit the tap location, say to the creature's shoulder.

I considered allowing Spell Resistance, as that' what it really should be, but the nature of the spell is to get someone's attention- and if you're tied up and can't get the Fighter's attention because of his Mantle of Spell Resistance, it just kinda seemed to defeat the purpose. I get what you mean, though, so I'll change it.

As for the location, I didn't specify one- mainly because that's somewhat reminiscent of called shots. You don't specifically attack someone's head, you just attack them and roll to see if you hit- same with this. They just get a tap. Where it is is up to them.

Is it a mental tap or does it feel physical.

Maybe it could be universal? Although evocation fits well.

It's a physical tap, although it only affects creatures- so no pushing objects with it. As for the school, it struck me more as Evocation- along the same lines as the Sending spell being Evocation.

This spell is really cool, been wanting more of these spells.

Thanks! That's why I made it. I really like spells & things that aren't just about dealing damage- which led me to make this, as well as a spell I made several months ago (it's called Saethorn's Sightly Storm- it basically causes a burst of energy that rearranges things. It should be somewhere in the back pages of this forum).


So, here it is:

Saethorn's Polite Tap
Evocation
Level: Brd 0, Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: None
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell causes the target to receive a slight physical "tap" from the caster.
The "tap" may be light or forceful (caster's choice)- in either case, it deals no damage and cannot affect objects, nor can it be used to disrupt spellcasting. The target may make a Wisdom check (DC 5) to know which direction the tap came from; otherwise its origin is unknown. This spell is mostly used to get a specific person's attention without drawing the attention of others- and as it has no verbal or somatic components, it can be easily utilized by bound, gagged, and Held individuals.

 

[Ferret]

I was thinking of mental vs physical to do more with the location.

Otherwise it could change into Saethorn's impolite grope.

 

[drexes]

Hrmm.

I really like the flavor of the spell, but first off one could argue that the same result could be accomplished via mage hand. Difference...spell components. By not having any components you basically make the spell an act of will. Which makes it seem more like psionics than magic. Without any kind of component v,s, or m, why can't everybody do it? It's just an act of will. I like the idea, but there seems to be a small hole in it.

Just my two cents which are worth less than whatever currency is being peddled in Brazil....

Drexes

 

[Ferret]

Without any kind of component v,s, or m, why can't everybody do it? It's just an act of will. I like the idea, but there seems to be a small hole in it.

Thats a kicker. I can't find others that do that. It makes sense that it it doesn't have any components, but it's 'wrong'.....