Str of Kadun, too powerful?

[LifebaneSoulshadow]

One more thing...

My point in first responding to this thread wasnt to throw mud at the author/editor of RR1 and RR2. It was to point out to newer DM's out there that you should look cautiously at information you pull from RR1 and RR2. Think about the longer term ramifications or be ready to rule zero things later.

Again the books are very good. It depends on the type of campaign you're running. I myself am running what I'd consider a 'high' magic campaign currently and I still find many of the spells to be poorly balanced for my taste.

Lifebane Soulshadow *

 

[LokiDR]

Not suitable for the class: The spell that turns you into an elemental creature and heals you like a Heal spell. Turning into an elemental is fine for arcane casters, but the benefits of a Heal spell shouldn't be available for one level higher arcane spell. See also the Timeheal series of spells, which allow wizards to heal people.

Poly other, endurance, false Life, limited wish, wish, transformation, shapechange. Wizards can heal, just not nearly as effectively as clerics or druids. The timeheal spells are balanced in a party that actually contains a cleric becuase the cleric will be much better than the timeheal.

 

[wraith8]

SOk is overpowered becaue up till level 20 it does what the str domain feat did for much longer....
The str domain feat shouldn't lose its potential to a better spell when you become level 15....

 

[James McMurray]

Poly other, endurance, false Life, limited wish, wish, transformation, shapechange. Wizards can heal, just not nearly as effectively as clerics or druids. The timeheal spells are balanced in a party that actually contains a cleric becuase the cleric will be much better than the timeheal.

Poly Other doesn't exist.
Endurance doesn't heal, it buys you time
False Life doesn't heal, it buys you time
Limited Wish and Wish only heal when you pay XP
Transformation (I'm assuming you mean Tenser's) doesn't heal, it buys you time
Shapechange: You get a piddly amount of hitpoints per change. And its a 9th level spell.

Why on earth does everyone think that SoK is overpowered? The spell requires an absurdly difficult to get material component

Except that it only requires the component if you're an arcane caster. Divine casters just need their symbol.

 

[ruleslawyer]

Except that it only requires the component if you're an arcane caster. Divine casters just need their symbol.

Point. I'd forgotten about that. So we're stuck comparing it to a Persistent divine power or a Bigby's clenched fist. I'll take either of those over SoK any day, thank you.

Originally posted by wraith8:
SOk is overpowered becaue up till level 20 it does what the str domain feat did for much longer....
The str domain feat shouldn't lose its potential to a better spell when you become level 15....

I hate to interpose this sort of counter-argument, but the fact is that the Strength domain power sucks. Anything that gives you a once-per-day boost is going to lose out at high levels (especially by 15th!) if it's to be moderately balanced at low levels. Check out the Animal domain power (speak with animals) for heaven's sake! Think there aren't spells and items available long before 15th level that make that ability worthless? The real problem with the Strength domain power is that it's just not very good. I'd have made it an unnamed bonus, at least.

 

[James McMurray]

Point. I'd forgotten about that. So we're stuck comparing it to a Persistent divine power or a Bigby's clenched fist. I'll take either of those over SoK any day, thank you.

Persistant Divine Power is great for the cleric, but doesn't do squat for the rest of the party. The fist is also great, but you have to have the right domain in order to use it as a cleric. An the Strength of Kadum can do muuuch more damage when it gives the party fighter +10-20 to damage (using power attack) on several attacks per round.[/QUOTE]

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Auld,

They did errata Stone missile and shocking bolt. Download the quarterly from April-June, to see it.

But yeah I consider the books very essential in all my Scarred Lands games. (Well one at the moment but the return of the Irregulars of Hollowfaust is nigh! )

Hmmm, I had looked under product updates, which is where (IMNSHO) errata should be. I didn't think to check Insider.

While I like Scarred Lands sometimes White Wolf's editing and placement of 'storytelling over balance' (direct quote from R*H there) is sometimes annoying. (Mind you I play Changeling, which has some of the worst editing that I have ever seen...)

The issue of editing in Scarred Lands material has been slightly better than a lot of their other lines, but comments about not agreeing with there even being CRs (made shortly after CC1 came out) makes me wonder, though maybe they have bought a clue by now. Certainly the Fighters and Barbarian book seemed better balanced than some. (As an example of poor balance: Calastian Battle Mages anyone?)

Setting wise however Scarred Lands shines. It has a very solid and active mythology, and some of the setting books are outstanding. I love Hollowfaust and Calastia in particular. Not the world I am currently using, but quite arguably the best supported D20 world out there.

I should also mention that spells that are umm, a bit specialized may be of limited utility (Malicios Image for example ) they can also be quite enjoyable.

I hope this doesn't come across as a troll, I really do like Scarred Lands, but have had some issues with WWGS, or rather with some of the positions their upper management takes.

The Auld Grump

*EDIT* Just downloaded Insider, and yup, there is errata for Stone Bolt in there, I will have to take a closer look shortly...)

 

[Darklone]

Worst spell IMHO in the R&R 1: That silly Fireshield (or whatever) spell from the Burok Torn dwarven wizards. A bonus to AC equal to your level (maxxing at 7) AND fire damage for anyone attacking you with natural weapons...

 

[James McMurray]

Worst spell IMHO in the R&R 1: That silly Fireshield (or whatever) spell from the Burok Torn dwarven wizards. A bonus to AC equal to your level (maxxing at 7) AND fire damage for anyone attacking you with natural weapons...

I think its level/2. When compared to the original Shield spell, Blazing shield is fairly balanced. I don't have a problem with it. The fire damage is only 1d6.

 

[Darklone]

I think its level/2. When compared to the original Shield spell, Blazing shield is fairly balanced. I don't have a problem with it. The fire damage is only 1d6.

My problem was that it stacked with the original shield spell