Spell Level for Large Area, low damage spell?

[Destil]

Destil’s Darkly Discreet, Deadly Dispersal of Discriminatory Damage
Illusion (Shadow)
Level: Sor/Wiz
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 minuet
Range: Long (400 feet + 40 feet / caster level)
Effect: 400 feet + 40 feet / caster level spread, centered on the caster
Duration: 2 Rounds
Saving Throw: Fortitude Negates, Will Disbelief (see text)
SR: Yes

This spell taps into the shadow plane, weakly warping the fabric of reality and perceived reality within it’s massive area of effect. Anyone within the area of effect who is not carrying a proper warding sigil takes 2d6 damage as the planes of shadow and the prime material plane are warped and fused for a moment into a twisted conglomerate around them. A fortitude save negates this damage. Further, anyone who fails their fortitude save must make a will save or for the duration of the spell they will not realize that they have taken any damage at all from the spell (thus further action by the disabled may cause them to fall unconscious). Those who succeed in this save realize their state and react accordingly.

As a material component this spell requires a metal ‘sigil’, made of fine platinum and set with dark gemstones worth at least 2000 GP. Anyone within the area of effect who is carrying a copper replica of the sigil (these are small and only cost about 5cp each) is immune to the spells’ effects. The copper sigils must be in the same simple three-dimensional form as the original for this to function (the craft (metalworking) check to make an appropriate copper sigil is DC 5). The sigil is not required if you do not wish to make anyone within the area of effect immune to the spell. You must have a metal replica sigil, yourself, to be immune to the spell, otherwise you could take damage, as well.



So, there's really no president for 'army killing' spells within the PHB or DMG. Low damage but with an area that can take out thousands of first level warriors and commoners... Any ideas?

 

[the Jester]

I'd say it should be around 4th-6th level somewhere. It's a huge area of effect, and it could easily kill hundreds or maybe even thousands of people... er... I dunno. I lean towards 6th (on a par with circle of death).

 

[DM with a vengence]

Maybe 6th or 7th if not higher, the strategic effects of this spell are devastating. A single mage with multiple teleports and this spell could wipe out entire villages in a few minutes, thereby destroying the economic foundations of the area. It's not of much use to the PCs, but if villains get their hands on this spell, then the entire world would be dead in a few years at most.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Just as a comparison, if you "extended" burning hands up to a 9th level spell, its range would be x8 IIRC, thus it would do 5d4 in an 80ft radius semicircle... that compares pretty badly.

Personally, I'd only allow it as a ritual spell. If someone attempted to research it in my campaign their research would not be able to create the spell at any of the spell levels.

As DM with a V points out, it would wipe out entire cities - it has a vast area, does enough damage to kill the majority of civilians.

If you have access to the Epic handbook, why not check in there to see whether you could duplicate this effect with the spell seed system and see what it looks like.

 

[trentonjoe]

you didn't ask for suggestions buuuuut

WHat if you make the effect a cloud ? It can start out as a 25 foot burst and then SPREAD out to the 400 foot level. That way people could run away form it. Similar effect, armies would be forced to retreat, less death.

Just an idea,

 

[Hygric]

Massed devestation. A 16th level caster could affect an area with a 300 meter radius. I would say 8th plus for this. Better to do it as an epic spell.

 

[Spatzimaus]

It's got a 1 MINUTE casting time. Your chances of actually firing it off are miniscule; even a few commoners with rakes can roll 20s often enough to interrupt you. But, let's assume you can cast it without being interrupted, due to being invisible or flying or something.

First, you have the Will save reversed. Normally, disbelief means a shadow spell does 20, 40, or 60% damage; instead, you have a Will save mean they don't realize they're being damaged?

Second, it has a huge area, your friends won't really be affected by it thanks to their larger HP, so there's no real downside. They don't need the sigils, since 2d6 damage is nothing to anyone other than commoners.

It's an Epic spell. No way I'd let it in under 10th level. Since its sole purpose seems to be to massacre civilians, I MIGHT have it be the sort of apocalyptic spell archvillians threaten to use, but even then there'd have to be changes.