Opinions about Shadow Well

[Derren]

What do you think about the spell Shadow Well ? It happened in our group that the DM send a dragon (Cr 9) together with some orcs against us. Instead to leave the orcs to our followers and takeing care of the dragon our lvl 10 sorcerer casted Shadow Well (with greater spell focus and so on) at the dragon which vanished for 10 rounds. The we killed the orcs easily and readied actions to attack the dragon when he reappears. He took 60 damage and was forced to flee for 1w4 rounds.
It looks to me that Shadow Well is a pretty strong spell for level 4. You disable an opponent for some rounds. (The only other spell which can do that is Maze which is level ) and forces it to flee for 1w4 rounds regardless of HD.

Other question: Why is shadow well an illusion? Normally illusion spells can´t planeshift a creature. Has this something to do with the Shadow Weave ?

 

[DarkJester]

Where is this Shadow Well from?

 

[Caliber]

I believe it is from Magic of Faerun. Don't forget that Shadow Well allows a save. Personally I would say its worse than Polymorph Other, a spell of equal level.

Polymorph Other can potentially end nearly any combat ("form of baracuda!") as well as buff your friends ("form of troll!")

Still, Shadow Well is a cool spell. My Wizard has attempted to use it as a defensive spell before, and probably will again. Sure he runs away afterwards, but when your party is being killed and you have no other way of getting away ...

Finally, most likely it isn't supposed to be an Illusion, but is because of the Shadow Weave. I would have to go read the spell itself to see if it mentions that however. Perhaps the eratta changed it?

 

[Grundle]

I believe it is from Magic of Faerun. Don't forget that Shadow Well allows a save. Personally I would say its worse than Polymorph Other, a spell of equal level.

Polymorph Other can potentially end nearly any combat ("form of baracuda!") as well as buff your friends ("form of troll!")

Yes, Shadow Well is from MoF.

No, it is not overpowered for a fourth level spell. It takes an opponent out of combat - but unlike hold person (3rd Level Spell), that opponent can't be damaged during this time.

Still, Shadow Well is a cool spell. My Wizard has attempted to use it as a defensive spell before, and probably will again. Sure he runs away afterwards, but when your party is being killed and you have no other way of getting away ...

Shadow Well is an excellent spell! My gnome illusionist with Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus - Illusion has used it to advantage several times!

As pointed out by others, it can be used both offensively and defensively. And because it is a ranged spell, it can be used to save another party member's life when they are near death and unable to escape.

Finally, most likely it isn't supposed to be an Illusion, but is because of the Shadow Weave. I would have to go read the spell itself to see if it mentions that however. Perhaps the eratta changed it?

All Shadow spells are in the Illusion school (if memory serves).