Protecting my PC from Ability Score drains

[MerakSpielman]

I don't think you can make an instantaneus spell/effect into a continuous item... but I can't think of a quote to back that up.

 

[Ferox4]

I agree, but cannot find any reference.

It is inferred by the fact that instantaneous durations are the only durations not mentioned in the continuous spell effect footnote (DMG, p. 285).

 

[kreynolds]

*imagines a continous Polar Ray*

 

[Ferox4]

*imagines a continous Polar Ray*

[titters]

 

[BSF]

You are a cleric, what do you need magic items for?!?

The solution to Blasphemy is easy - Silence or Deafness. Take Silent Spell feat and you will never have to worry about those damn no save spells (the 7th level ones) again. In the spell description (at least for Blashpemy) it says you have to hear the words.

Assuming you are willing to memorize all your spells as Silent versions, sure. Cast Deafness on yourself and don't drop any points into Listen, memorize all yor spells at a higher level than they are - no problemo. But, is this really a valid long term tactic for your campaign that you would want to use? Hmm ... could be an interesting character to play I suppose.

Another tactic, far more mechanically cheesy, although descriptively cool, is just to scream. Yup, scream at the top of your lungs when you identify with spellcraft the casting of that spell and hope to Pelor that you don't hear the words. Spellcasting is normally projected at a speaking voice volume (I forget the actual language used in the books). There is no mention of volume in the spell text so I would presume for Blashpemy it is the same. If you are screaming, you would really need to make a listen check to hear the voice - probably the one time you would want to fail the check.

OK, that is cheesy. I would allow it. Of course, the character would have to declare that they are doing that the entire turn. After all, that is 6 seconds that the spell might go off during. I would probably make it rather difficult to fight while doing that too. Expelling air as a constant scream while swinging a sword isn't easy. A brief shout, sure, but a constant scream... Oh, and spellcasting would be way out.

Even then, it could be argued that Blasphemy/Holy Word transcend a normal speaking voice. We are talking about a magical utterance infused with the power of Evil/Good/etc.

 

[kreynolds]

[titters]

Dude, if you think a continous polar ray is bad, just image if it was continuous!

 

[glass]

No I meant dispel magic does not apply to dispel magic - dispel magic cannot be used to counter dispel magic.

Sorry to kick you when you are down, but where did you get this from? I would be surprised if dispell magic works differently in this regard from every other spell in the game, especially as you can use it to counter any other spell (though you have to roll).

glass.

 

[Ferox4]

I would be surprised if dispell magic works differently in this regard from every other spell in the game, especially as you can use it to counter any other spell (though you have to roll).

glass.

Dispel Magic does not work differently. Dispel Magic can be used to counterspell Dispel Magic.

 

[Scion]

Pearl of power 6th.

Heal fixes all of these ills and more Grab an item you can store heals on. Make items that cast heals. Get contingency to cast heal whenever you are 'about to die from any effect', chances are good heal will fix it, you could even change the wording to some variation of 'close to death'.

So:

Memorize heal
Pearl of power 6th for heals
Item to store heals in
Item that casts heal per day or under condition X
Contingency heal


Or just become undead or a construct or a plant! mmm.. plant

Lots of spells and items can help you become undead, construct, or plant.

 

[foxylady]

Or just become undead or a construct or a plant! mmm.. plant

Lots of spells and items can help you become undead, construct, or plant.

As I recall plants aren't immune to ability damage and ability drain. Plants are still way cool; Volodni are one of my favorite ECL races.

Being a construct is the way to go, IMO. Maug (Fiend Folio) can make a great PC in a medium to high level game, though I find it difficult to really min/max one. Anybody with a good Maug build?