Replace Bull's Str and its kin?

[Thain]

Okay, this has been buggin' me for a long time. When I first got 3e, the spells that quickly proved most useful for low- to mid- wizards and sorceror's were the (in)famous stat buffs: Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace.

We all said, "These-Are-Cool! If only they existed for all attributes!"

Then we quickly created House Rule Verison of what was effectivly the same spell, and targeted differnt attributes. Of course, when TnB was released we got to find out that WotC had already had the same idea.

We now have six differnt spells, with the same bloody mechanics, that raises Attribute-X or Attribute-Y by 1d4+1 points.

Then I noticed something: Psion's have a level 2 power, Animal Affinity, that rases Attribute-X by 1d4+1 points, is more or less mechanically identical, but (and this is a big but) you choose the attribute to be affected at the time of casting the spell!

Then I found out that D20 Modern will include a 2nd level Arcane Spell called "Enhance Ability" which will be more-or-less identical to the Bull's Str family of buffs, except, once agian, you choose the abilty at the time of casting.

My question to you, would it be balanced to toss the current six buff spells, replace them with a single spell, which works the exact same?

And yes, I've made up my mind, I'd just like to hear your thoughts.

 

[netnomad]

Well I never like all the different names for the same basic concept. They should have condensed all those spells and added other more interesting ones to the PHB since they basically do the same thing. For my campaign I reduced them in to two spells. Enhance Mind, which is bonuses to Charisma, Intelligence and Wisdom, and Enhance body, which is bonuses to Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength. This just “feels” right to me.

-NetNomad

 

[Jens]

There shouldn't be any problem in making a spell with whatever effect you can think of. You just have to make it the appropriate level (and require the appropriate components etc.)

I'd say that combining these spells should increase the level to 3rd or even 4th since it would be much more useful than Animal Affinity which can only affect the caster. It would be a *very* attractive spell for sorcerers.

 

[dvvega]

Animal Affinity affects only the Psion.

Its use is limited by that.

If you made all the wizard buffs into one spell, then the wizard wouldn't have to spend money (or his bonus 2 spells per level) in getting ALL the buffing spells. It would be a single buy.

The arcane/divine buffs target anyone as well.

 

[Oni]

The d20 modern version of the buff spells grants a flat out +5 to any one ability score of your choosing, but the important thing to note here is that the duration is drastically reduced from one hour per level to one minute per level.

 

[Fenes 2]

Let's just say that a level 2 spell that allowed the caster to choose the stat boosted by 1d4+1 at the time of casting would end up on any "Ultimate Sorcerer's Spell List" real fast.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Let's just say that a level 2 spell that allowed the caster to choose the stat boosted by 1d4+1 at the time of casting would end up on any "Ultimate Sorcerer's Spell List" real fast.

What if it only lasted 10 minutes/level?

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

The one stat-buff spell that has me rather baffled is Cat's Grace. It's the only one of the bunch that's not a divine spell.

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Here's a thought- I seem to recall reading in the FAQ that you couldn't have a duration spell on you twice- for example, you couldn't have two Shield spells, to cover the front and back. So, presumably, you could buff multiple attributes with the PHB spells, but only one attribute at a time with the Psionic or Modern versions.

Now, this whole two spells thing is a bit iffy in my opinion- I can see not having two shield spells, but what about negative duration effects? Some aren't going to make any sense- you can't be doubly blind, for example. But does getting polymorphed or cursed effectively make you immune to future castings of those spells? That'd be kind of weird....