Question on a spell from Monte Cook's Complete Book of Eldritch Might

[Arravis]

Since this is not an official SRD spell, I don't know if this is the proper forum... but here goes.

The Complete Book of Eldritch Might has the spell "Plunge Deep to the Core", and I'm trying to see if you guys think this spell seems in line with other spells of the same level. It seems quite powerful, especially when compared to Align Weapon. I might be overlooking something, but it seems more versitile and has a much, much longer duration. I can find no errata on the Complete Book of Eldritch Might to know if this has been changed. Addtionally, could Plunge Deep to the Core be cast on an unarmed character, such as a monk.

Here is a short synoposis of the spells for those not familiar with them.

Plunge Deep to the Core: (shortened quite a bit to avoid any copyright issues)
Transmutation; Sor/Wiz 2; Target: One weapon; Duration: 1 hour/lvl.
Weapon ignores damage reduction of a specific type (magic, good, etc).

Align Weapon: (from SRD)
Transmutation; Clr 2; Comp: V, S, DF; Casting Time: 1 standard action; Range: Touch Target: Weapon touched or fifty projectiles (all of which must be in contact with each other at the time of casting); Duration: 1 min./level; Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless, object) Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless, object)
Align weapon makes a weapon good, evil, lawful, or chaotic, as you choose. A weapon that is aligned can bypass the damage reduction of certain creatures. This spell has no effect on a weapon that already has an alignment. You can’t cast this spell on a natural weapon, such as an unarmed strike. When you make a weapon good, evil, lawful, or chaotic, align weapon is a good, evil, lawful, or chaotic spell, respectively.

 

[CRGreathouse]

To be frank, the 3.5 updating wasn't that great. If you look at the original version of that spell, it's a much weaker version of greater magic weapon (just for DR defeating purposes).

I'd just ignore the spell, frankly; it's more trouble than it's worth.

Edit: see discussion on Monte's boards here: http://p222.ezboard.com/fokayyourturnfrm19.showMessage?topicID=699.topic

 

[Arravis]

Yeah, I posted that one myself. I was hoping to get a response from Monte or some insight into it, but they didn't give much. Hopefully, I'll have better luck here.

 

[Gnome]

I agree that it's definately way overpowered. Maybe 4th-level would make more sense.

 

[Arravis]

I was considering keeping it the same level, but lowering the duration to either 1 round/lvl or 1 round/every 2 levels.

 

[The_Warlock]

Actually, while it may not be well worded, "Weapon ignores damage reduction of a specific type (magic, good, etc)." really seems to say that when you cast the spell you choose one method of damage reduction to ignore. So, if you cast it you need to choose "magic", or "lawful", or "silver" (EDIT: which is important because there are several creature, esp outer planar, that have combined reduction - Holy Silver, and if you don't have both, you don't get through). Combine this with Sor/Wiz generally having better combat oriented spells of the same level of a cleric or druid, it it does bring it more in line. Now, while it may not affect projectiles, you could still cast it on the bow/crossbow which would, I think, affect any projectile leaving it. It may not, I don't have all the rules in front of me. Now, being 1 hour per level is a bit much for 3.5 (but I don't like SWAT team spell durations, personal preference), and you might want to either switch that duration (though I wouldn't drop it below 1 min or 10 min/level), or up it to 3rd level. At which point it would be a fine Sor/Wiz spell for 3.5 play, I'd think.

 

[Staffan]

A minor advantage align weapon has over plunge is that plunge only affects DR, and not other alignment-related effects. Admittedly, the only other alignment-related effect I can think of at the moment is that some outsiders have regeneration that's defeated by properly aligned weapons.