Spells which were not properly nerved...

[Jadeite]

Blindness/Deafness
Even without a permanent duration it would be a rather powerful spell, especially against spellcaster since it requires a fortitude save. And both Dispel Magic and Remove Blindness are both one spell level higher.

Slow
In this case, the spell is totally devastating to fighting characers, especially ones that have lots of attacks. Even against a single opponent, the spell is extremely since they are suddenly limited to one attack per round. It's also resisted with a will save, so most combatants chance of resisting is rather low.

 

[Twowolves]

not at that low level.

DSilence at level 3-6 is a movable antimagic field if used properly, no chance to avoid it for the mage, at level 3, whe he can encounter such a spell, he not even has silenced invisibility to get out...

By the time a cleric can cast Silence, the wizard can cast Silent Expeditious Retreat.

Of course, a 3rd level wizard can cast, oh I dunno, about a dozen "win button" spells on the cleric first (Sleep, Web, Summon Swarm, Color Spray). Silence has been a mainstay for over 30 years and it hasn't broken the game yet.

 

[Starbuck_II]

By the time a cleric can cast Silence, the wizard can cast Silent Expeditious Retreat.

Of course, a 3rd level wizard can cast, oh I dunno, about a dozen "win button" spells on the cleric first (Sleep, Web, Summon Swarm, Color Spray). Silence has been a mainstay for over 30 years and it hasn't broken the game yet.

Silent ER isn't a common preparation.

 

[Twowolves]

Silent ER isn't a common preparation.

So? I was listing ways out of a silenced area for a 3rd level wizard, not popular ways out of a silnced area for a 3rd level wizard.

The point holds, the cleric has a non-discriminating weapon for use against casters (15' radius will nix any friendly casters near the victim as well), but it's not breaking the game. It's the REASON the Silent Spell feat exists, after all. Pick your favorite counter and Silent Spell it and you are good to go.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

By the time a cleric can cast Silence, the wizard can cast Silent Expeditious Retreat.

Of course, a 3rd level wizard can cast, oh I dunno, about a dozen "win button" spells on the cleric first (Sleep, Web, Summon Swarm, Color Spray). Silence has been a mainstay for over 30 years and it hasn't broken the game yet.

Silent expeditious retreat is indeed a good idea

But I disagree with dozen win buttons. Usually most of them have saves. (I have to look up the ray of enfeeblement spell which may be quite devastating, but not at level 3 i think)

Sleep (no save in the last 30 years), as you may remember was nerved in 3.5 to grant a will save. In the spell system of ADnD where you had to win initiative and not be in melee to cast a spell, spells without saves are fine, but in a system where it is known before you cast, that your casting will succeed, such spells are a no go. Or actually may be cast a long time before you enter the encounter...

... cast it on a crossbow bolt and shoot at the wizard.

 

[Twowolves]

But I disagree with dozen win buttons. Usually most of them have saves. (I have to look up the ray of enfeeblement spell which may be quite devastating, but not at level 3 i think)

Silence requires a save too, when you cast it right at someone. If you don't, they can always move away.

... cast it on a crossbow bolt and shoot at the wizard.

Nah, cast it on the fighter's sword (or better yet, the monk's fist) and send them off to wail away at him. That's the real reason for the Expeditious Retreat, to get away from the monk!!

 

[UngeheuerLich]

yeah i know, look my previous posts...

i just wanted to be creative

 

[Haffrung Helleyes]

OP is right

Silence is broken in 3.5. Employed properly, it can shut down a wizard of any level who has not specifically prepared against it.

The cleric should never simply cast silence on the wizard during his turn. That's the least effective way of using the spell.

What he should do, is ready an action to cast silence on the ground at the wizard's feet when the wizard attempts to cast a spell. The wizards' spell is automatically ruined. This is strictly better than counterspelling, because it always works, and allows a low level spell to counter a high level spell.

A low level cleric can shut down a high level wizard in this fashion, for as many rounds as he has silence spells, and possibly for good if he has enough silence spells to blanket the available area. All he has to do is win initiative, or survive until his first turn (ok, so that might be difficult!), and it's over.

 

[Starbuck_II]

What he should do, is ready an action to cast silence on the ground at the wizard's feet when the wizard attempts to cast a spell. The wizards' spell is automatically ruined. This is strictly better than counterspelling, because it always works, and allows a low level spell to counter a high level spell.

The ground isn't an object you can use it on (because then it would affect the whole world if that counted).
You can use it on a rock though.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

The ground isn't an object you can use it on (because then it would affect the whole world if that counted).
You can use it on a rock though.

According to Pathfinder Core Rules (unchanged from 3.5) you can target a point in space (in this case directly where the caster is standing). Even if you targetted a mountain, the radius of effect would still stand (a point would need to be chosen on the object).

As in my above posts, there should be a way for all casters to get around this (even if it is only a chance). A caster level chack makes sense.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise