Spell Research - Let There Be Light!

[Cedric]

That's fine...not having access to "all" of the books. I wasn't sure if there had been more complete guidelines published regarding spell research. So I figured it was sort of house rules, sort of just plain Rules.

 

[DaveStebbins]

So I want to research a 5th level version of Light/Daylight that will purge out other darkness and be worthy of a 5th level spell slot.

So using the heighten spell feat on one of those spells wouldn't fit your criteria? As a higher level spell with the light descriptor it would automatically counter lower level darkness spells. I suppose you could research a one hour per level version of daylight for a fifth level spell.

 

[Cedric]

Hour per level version of daylight is a good thought. I wanted to avoid the heighten route though cause I don't have the feat and I haven't found that many uses for it.

 

[CalrinAlshaw]

You could make it much like invisibility purge, but against darkness spells, light spells, or both (Caster chooses).

Calrin Alshaw

 

[LightPhoenix]

I was bored.

Luminescence
Level: Clr 5, Dru 5, Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Area: 10ft/level burst
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex Partial (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell creates an intense burst of light centered on the caster, destroying magical effects causing darkness and blinding foes.

All supernatural and spell-like effects causing darkness are instantly dispelled. This includes Darkness, Deeper Darkness, and any other spell that causes a darkness effect. Abilities that cause darkness are negated, though may be activated again in subsequent rounds.

In addition, all creatures within the area of effect must make a Reflex save or be blinded. A blinded creature, in addition to the obvious, suffers a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have full concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, grants a +2 bonus to attackers' attack rolls (they are effectively invisible), moves at half speed, and suffers a -4 penalty on most Strength- and Dexterity-based skills. A failed Reflex save dazes any creature below 5 HD.

A creature with alternate senses (blindsight, termorsense, et cetera) suffers no penalty from blindness. A creature with its eyes closed before the casting of the spell automatically succeeds at the Dexterity save for blindness, but still may be dazed.

The material component for this spell is a small bit of phosphorus, which bursts into flames on completion of the spell.

 

[Cedric]

LightPhoenix - That's a good spell, thanks for the input. I'm definitely going to keep that spell handy and "research it".

However, it doesn't quite address my major concern. I keep fighting these things (drow and the like) who are throwing up darkness globes. Your spell gives me a great way to shock the crap out of them and get a short term combat advantage. But it doesn't prevent them from just throwing up another darkness globe.

I need a spell that is going to keep darkness out of that area long enough for the Barbarian/Fighter to do his ginsu work.

 

[Dancer]

LightPhoenix - That's a good spell, thanks for the input. I'm definitely going to keep that spell handy and "research it".

However, it doesn't quite address my major concern. I keep fighting these things (drow and the like) who are throwing up darkness globes. Your spell gives me a great way to shock the crap out of them and get a short term combat advantage. But it doesn't prevent them from just throwing up another darkness globe.

I need a spell that is going to keep darkness out of that area long enough for the Barbarian/Fighter to do his ginsu work.

The problem is you are fighting multiple casters. Any spell that is going to affect multiple casters AND prevent their darkness from working at all is going to probably need to be higher level than 5th. You need a spell that stops 5th or lower darkness effects, no save, area effect (centered on caster), duration 1 minute per level. Creatures affected by daylight take half effect from this spell or/and -2 to all saves while in the area of effect. Because of the illumination the caster is a slightly easier target to hit (+2 to hit caster while spell is in effect).

Try running that by your GM.

 

[Hypersmurf]

However, it doesn't quite address my major concern. I keep fighting these things (drow and the like) who are throwing up darkness globes. Your spell gives me a great way to shock the crap out of them and get a short term combat advantage. But it doesn't prevent them from just throwing up another darkness globe.

Straight Daylight will do that.

Any time you get an overlap of Daylight and Darkness, their effects are temporarily negated in the area of overlap. So if you've got a Daylight spell and a Sunrod, the Daylight will suppress all the Darkness globes (and be itself suppressed), and the Sunrod will let you see normally.

-Hyp.

 

[Cedric]

Wake the Silvery Moon
Evocation [Light]
Level: Cleric 5, Drd 5
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Area: 120 ft. radius emanation; see text
Duration: 10 minutes/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

The soft, silvery glow of moonlight, equivalent to a full moon on a cloudless night, fills the affect area, centered on the caster. This moonlight suppresses all Darkness affects 5th level or lower and is sufficient light to allow those without enhanced vision to work at no penalty.

Is this too weak? Too strong? If so, what could be done to balance. My characters deity has an affinity for the moon, so thought this would be the most appropriate way to work this affect.

 

[CalrinAlshaw]

Shining Beacon - Light-Void
Evocation [Light]
Level: Clr 5, Drd 5
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 Minutes/Level (D)

You turn yourself into a shining beacon of light (or a void thereof) that extends 10 feet per level of the caster. The light is treated as real daylight and anyone looking directly at you (like a gaze) must roll a reflex save (at -2 if vulnerable to sunlight) or be blinded for 2 rounds after looking away or closing your eyes. The caster can not make gaze attacks, the viewers must look at the caster. This spell also overpowers any darkness of 4th level and lower. Light-Void and Shining Beacon will negate each other (natural light if they overlap).

Hows this?