Reincarnate = immortal?

[0-hr]

Reincarnate returns you as a "young adult" of whatever race you roll. This looks like a loophole in the "died of old age = gone for good" clause that has (until now) been limit on character lifespan.

For 1000gp, isn't every semi-wealthy person out there going to be immortal?

And before it is said, using role-playing reasons to make up for a mechanics flaw is unarguably poor design. :\

 

[iceifur]

You lose a HD/level (or, if you're 1st level, 2 points of Constitution) when you're reincarnated, IIRC. Since, in most campaigns, the NPCs don't have many HD/levels (or high Con -- your new form's Con score is partially based off of your old one's (see the spell)), I'd say it's pretty limited in scope, really.

--B--

 

[Gort]

Yeah, but the classic "evil mage studies magic for ages to become immortal through lichdom" thing is pretty much out the window. Why doesn't he just make friends with an evil druid?

Or better still, become the evil druid himself?

 

[UltimaGabe]

Yeah, but the classic "evil mage studies magic for ages to become immortal through lichdom" thing is pretty much out the window. Why doesn't he just make friends with an evil druid?

Or better still, become the evil druid himself?

Because, over time, it would be a heck of a lot more costly and difficult to remain immortal through reincarnation. Unless you're constantly risking your life fighting monsters to regain those levels, you're eventually gonna find yourself at 1st level with a Constitution of 2. At that point, immortality isn't exactly an attainable goal.

 

[Shin Okada]

Not just role playing reason. But changing into different race may cause a lot of problem on one's social status. Do you think a human kingdom easily accept a king who turned into a Bugbear? Or rather, do people believe and accept a Bugbear who claim to be their king who have died?

Of course, you can combine Reincarnate with Wish or Miracle. But those spells are only accessible to really powerful being (and if a caster of that level do exist in your campaign world). And, if those spells are accessible, anything may be done anyway.

 

[DarkMaster]

In most D&D campaign people are immortal anyway. There souls will go join their diety and they will live there for eternity. Powerful heros will probably hold important position there. Heros strong enough to reincarnate have the ability to communicates with these beings or their minions and would probably feel punished by being reincarnated in something else. The reincarnation is just slowing their accension. Some gods might even not give their new form access to their paradise, therefore wasting a lifetime of achievement.

 

[tarchon]

Reincarnate is a transmutation, and thus reversible by Break Enchantment.
If you overlook that quirk, which I don't think the designers noticed, you can argue that reincarnation is supposed to be a form of perpetual life.

 

[rushlight]

Reincarnate is a transmutation, and thus reversible by Break Enchantment.
If you overlook that quirk, which I don't think the designers noticed, you can argue that reincarnation is supposed to be a form of perpetual life.

While it is a Transmutation, the duration is Instantaneous. Thus, it isn't dispelable or breakable. Once cast, the magic is used up instantly - the spell isn't still running.

 

[Knight Otu]

While it is a Transmutation, the duration is Instantaneous. Thus, it isn't dispelable or breakable.

Break Enchantment can also break instantaneous spells.

 

[tarchon]

While it is a Transmutation, the duration is Instantaneous. Thus, it isn't dispelable or breakable. Once cast, the magic is used up instantly - the spell isn't still running.

You're thinking of Dispel Magic presumably - BE is specifically designed to be able to undo the effects of instantaneous spells

Break Enchantment
[...]
This spell frees victims from enchantments, transmutations, and curses. Break enchantment can reverse even an instantaneous effect.