Permanent Protection from Arrows

[RigaMortus]

We're taling about permanent here, not persistant.

Doh, teach me to read too fast...

 

[Tom Cashel]

(Psi)severed Head, your prize is in the mail.

Permanency is broken because not every creature has the SR, spellcasting and flight of a dragon to survive the spell. Plus, it's more powerful than the 8th-level spell, Otto's Irresitable Dance.

Thanks for asking the SeanMeister.

 

[hong]

The duration of the spell becomes permanent, so you get permanent DR against arrows. However, as an ongoing effect, it's still subject to being dispelled. A couple of encounters with creatures casting greater dispellings can be useful if you think it's getting out of hand.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The ruling makes no sense to me.

The duration of the spell becomes permanent, but the 10-points-per-level is not a function of duration.

Ordinarily, the duration of the spell is "10 minutes per level or until discharged". After 100 minutes, say, the spell ends. If the spell prevents 100 points of arrow damage, it is discharged, and therefore (because the duration includes "or until discharged") the spell ends.

Under Permanency, the spell's duration no longer expires when the spell is discharged. But there's no connection between the duration, and the number of points of damage it can absorb.

Under Permanency, as I read the duration rules, the spell is still discharged upon absorbing 100 points (for example), but the spell does not end. The caster still radiates Abjuration; the PfA is still there as a buffer against Area Dispels... but it's discharged! It can't absorb any more damage!

How does permanent duration translate into infinite absorbtion capacity?

-Hyp.

 

[hong]

Under Permanency, as I read the duration rules, the spell is still discharged upon absorbing 100 points (for example), but the spell does not end. The caster still radiates Abjuration; the PfA is still there as a buffer against Area Dispels... but it's discharged! It can't absorb any more damage!

How does permanent duration translate into infinite absorbtion capacity?

The duration normally is "... or until discharged". If its duration becomes "permanent", then discharging is no longer a condition for the spell running out. Since damage absorption is simply the means by which the spell is discharged, this also means the amount of damage absorbed becomes moot.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The duration normally is "... or until discharged". If its duration becomes "permanent", then discharging is no longer a condition for the spell running out.

I have no argument with that.

Since damage absorption is simply the means by which the spell is discharged, this also means the amount of damage absorbed becomes moot.

That's where I disagree. I see the discharge as rendering the spell impotent, but the duration doesn't end (as it normally would without Permanency).

Like casting See Invisibility if you have no eyes. As long as the duration is in effect, you radiate magic... it's just of no benefit to you.

-Hyp.

 

[evilbob]

I just have to say that I completely agree with (Psi)SeveredHead, even before I read his weird reference to another forum. : ) The cost of the spell (for Protection from Arrows) is 1500 XP, and you have to be Level 11 to cast it; therefore, it's pretty obvious that you're paying for something serious here. And the fact that it can be Dispelled is a pretty limiting weakness.

 

[rhammer2]

Correct, the general rule for Permanency is 500XP per level of the spell. We are paying an extra 500xp to get the Protection from Arrows spell. You should ignore the damage discharge or use the rules for a permanent Invisibility spell and make it a standard action to reactivate, either method would be fair.

I just have to say that I completely agree with (Psi)SeveredHead, even before I read his weird reference to another forum. : ) The cost of the spell (for Protection from Arrows) is 1500 XP, and you have to be Level 11 to cast it; therefore, it's pretty obvious that you're paying for something serious here. And the fact that it can be Dispelled is a pretty limiting weakness.

 

[Hypersmurf]

You should ignore the damage discharge or use the rules for a permanent Invisibility spell and make it a standard action to reactivate, either method would be fair.

What rules for a permanent Invisibility spell?

By the Core applications of Permanency, Invisibility can only be made permanent on objects... and as a general rule, objects can't attack.

I'd say if the object performs some action (Animated, for example) that causes Invisibility to cease, that's it. It's an unusual enough circumstance that it found a bug in the spell, and it crashed.

If you want a really permanent Invisibility, I'd require you to talk your DM into letting you research Permanency-for-Improved-Invisibility-for-people... or buy a ring.

-Hyp.

 

[rhammer2]

I'm recalling a ruling from 2nd edition AD&D.

What rules for a permanent Invisibility spell?

By the Core applications of Permanency, Invisibility can only be made permanent on objects... and as a general rule, objects can't attack.

I'd say if the object performs some action (Animated, for example) that causes Invisibility to cease, that's it. It's an unusual enough circumstance that it found a bug in the spell, and it crashed.

If you want a really permanent Invisibility, I'd require you to talk your DM into letting you research Permanency-for-Improved-Invisibility-for-people... or buy a ring.

-Hyp.