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Message: <blockquote data-quote="rkanodia" data-source="post: 1281783" data-attributes="member: 11681">Well, let's look at the spells I can think of which might be most similar: Evard's Black Tentacles, Acid Fog, and Mordenkainen's Sword.First off, I'd say the duration needs to change.  5 minutes + 1 minute/level isn't only a nonstandard duration, it's also ridiculously long for a spell of this type.  Tentacles, Fog, and Sword each go for 1 round/level, which seems much more appropriate; how many fights last for more than 11 rounds?Range is fine.Rather than a number of weapons, I think it would be better to give the spell a radius of effect (like Tentacles and Fog); if a creature can be targeted by multiple planks, then a single victim will be ripped to shreds instantly by this spell, but if each creature can only be hit by one plank at a time, you might as well just say each creature in the radius of effect is attacked once per round.  Give it a 20-foot radius, like Tentacles and Fog.None of the spells listed allow saving throws.Tentacles and Fog don't allow spell resistance, but Sword does.  Spiritual Weapon also allows SR, so I'd say Smack the Orc should allow it.Sword gives attack roll equal to caster level+Int or Cha bonus (whichver applies) + 3; Smack the Orc should be weaker.  I'd say remove the +3 enhancement bonus (heck, these are nailed two-by-fours of force, not finely crafted swords), and then you're looking at something still decent, but not overpowering.Let's give Smack the Orc 3d6 of force damage, attacking once per round against each creature matching the noun specified by the caster at the time of casting.  The noun could specify targets by race ('smack the orcs'), a quality ('smack the villains'), or just about anything else; 'smack the creatures' is a perfectly valid casting.  The whirling two-by-fours attack (or don't attack) based on the perceptions of the caster; an orc in disguise as a human will be hit by 'smack the humans' but not 'smack the orcs' if the caster is unaware of the ruse.  The caster cannot voluntarily choose to perceive something differently than he really believes it to be; if he wants to protect his allies, he should choose a word carefully.  The first time a particular creature is successfully hit, check spell resistance; if it succeeds, it is unaffected by that casting of Smack the Orc.So let's see how it stacks up.Acid Fog deals 2d6 points of acid damage per round to every creature in the area of effect, with no roll to hit and no spell resistance allowed.  It also seriously hampers movement (no moving more than 5'/round), and blocks all vision beyond 5'.  However, it can be dispelled by a strong wind.  Acid damage is already a relatively strong damage type, so I'd say the upgrade to Force damage is not terribly significant; combine that with allowing SR _and_ requiring a to-hit roll and I think the damage per round just about evens out.  Acid Fog's vulnerability to wind is not really a big deal, since the only spell effect which could stop it (and is easier than just using a dispel) is Gust of Wind, which I don't think large numbers of casters memorize just to deal with Acid Fog.  I think trading the hindering/concealing portions of Acid Fog for the (relatively) party-friendly damage of Smack the Orc is another fair trade.  What does everyone else think?</blockquote>

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