D&D (2024) Playtest 6: Spells

[Sulicius]

Do the spell schools still matter mechanically?

 

[James Gasik]

Do the spell schools still matter mechanically?

Somewhat. A few classes care about them, but it's mostly a subclass thing, like Eldritch Knights, the PHB Wizard subclasses, Arcane Tricksters.

 

[Shardstone]

Death is about killing.

The dead are about the influence of those who exist in a new form of nature, including those who are the corpses of dust and the breaths of wind.


True Resurrection and Clone are examples of creating a new body. For example, if the original body exists but is irretrievable, then there would be two bodies (thus two ki lifeforce aura that cling to each body), but the disembodied mind (being the consciousness and self of the soul) unites with only one of them. There is no actual need to destroy the original body.

To remove a disease by pulling it out as ooze, or simply sweating it out or via urine or feces, is fine. Maybe for the sake of the story, yuckier imagery is more visceral and fun.


Healing damage such as a missing limb has nothing to do with death or destruction.


Except when medicine doesnt work that way, such as by creating prosthetic limb or supplying a missing hormone, nutrient, or other chemical agent, or by supplying "good" bacteria for the healthy ecosystem of the gut.


Killing bacteria and gaining assistance from undead souls ... are dissimilar concepts.

Neither are carnivores who eat meat the same thing as undead. Nor are Fighters who kill in combat the same thing as undead.

Necromancy is more specifically about dangerous magic, including undead, fiend, and the "Necronomicon".

actually, death os about dying

 

[Shardstone]

Elden Ring is the best example of spell schools in contemporary fantasy imo

 

[Dausuul]

Elden Ring is the best example of spell schools in contemporary fantasy imo

How do they work in Elden Ring?

 

[DEFCON 1]

I just treat spell schools like I treat the specific types of material components... they're there for the few people who are going to want them, even if most of the rest of us are just going to ignore them.

I mean really... the only two spell schools that really matter are Illusion and Necromancy, because those are the only two identities that have had any real cache in the history of the game. PC have been Illusionists since AD&D, and Necromancers have been the go-to wizardly BBEG since the beginning of fantasy. The other six? They make sense to exist, but few people I think consider those identities anything that important to the game.

 

[Maxperson]

All of the Power Word spells are enchantment. It’s the words of creation, speaking thought into being.

That seems more conjuration or evocation to me, not enchantment.

 

[Charlaquin]

That seems more conjuration or evocation to me, not enchantment.

Conjuration is usually transporting existing things from one place to another, not creating new things ex nihlo. Evocation is the same, but with elemental energy rather than matter. Words of power are neither. They’re the “coding language” of the multiverse, programming reality to function according to your design.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

All I know is: I want to see a UA that rewrites a whole lotta spells. There's some real stinkers out there.

 

[Maxperson]

Conjuration is usually transporting existing things from one place to another, not creating new things ex nihlo. Evocation is the same, but with elemental energy rather than matter. Words of power are neither. They’re the “coding language” of the multiverse, programming reality to function according to your design.

This is not accurate. Enchantment is affecting the minds of others and controlling their behavior.

"Enchantment spel ls affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior. Such spells can make enemies see the caster as a friend, force creatures to take a course of action, or even control another creature like a puppet."

Nothing about that is power words or universal coding. Not in the wildest stretch of the imagination.

Evocation on the other hand is...

"Evocation spells manipulate magical energy to produce a desired effect. Some call up blasts of fire or lightning. Others channel positive energy to heal wounds."

That's a hell of a lot more than elemental energy and is close to universal coding.

Conjuration is closer still which is why Wish is conjuration. The spell that can do pretty much anything, including every other spell out there. It literally says it allows the caster to alter the foundations of reality. Conjuration allows you to alter the foundations of reality. Edit: That is literally using the universal coding.