To use "buff spells" or not to use "buff spells"? That is the question.

[Corwin the Confused]

It seems like my group consistently uses "buff spells" (Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Greater Magic Weapon, Magic Vestment, etc.

How prevalent is this with your group?

Has your group noticed that buying the spell casters Pearls of Power for "buff spells" is much cheaper than buying a magic item with an enhancement bonus?

How do you think this effects the game?

Does the DM in your game lessen the impact of "buff spells" by including copious encounters with monsters or NPC's with Dispel Magic or Greater Dispel Magic?

 

[GuardianLurker]

Other: My group's caster's aren't high enough to have enough spells for buffing. I expect that once we do everyone's going to be pumped.

 

[Crothian]

We occasionally use them, but personally I don't like them. They have no flare. All they do is increase stuff on the character sheet and make the numbers bigger. Not that exciting for me.

 

[Victim]

Our group used the spells all the time, mostly because of my character. Our sorcerer also took some buff spells, because the direct attack spells weren't working so well.

However, I never actually tested how much difference they make.

 

[Frum]

overused

The players in my group use buff spells all the time. The players for the two sorcerers have finally learned to follow suit behind the brothers who play a cleric and a psion. Huge armor classes, big bonuses to hit, lots of damage-what's not to like.

I think that there is a lot not to like. I agree with Crothian; the spells are pretty boring, and there is something that I just can't pin down that I don't like about them. Of course, smart players will probably use them. The escalating competition between players (though not their characters) is pretty interesting.

I find that "combat buffs" are fairly common, too. I can't remember the last time that the sorcerers didn't cast haste at the beginning of a combat; the characters were probably 5th level.

 

[Lela]

It just seems to be part of the game.

I would try having villians who do the same thing. A high level party of evil who also casts Haste at the beginning of a fight. Maybe blur as well.

And if the evil guys have Haste then wouldn't it stand to reason they would carry a Scroll of Slow too? Just in case.

 

[Broken Fang]

When I play we use them all the time as I am usually a Wizard type. When I GM my group hardly ever uses them as they don't like playing casters of any sort...except the Druid who more or less just heals.

 

[Thanee]

(House Rule) We have limited the Pearl of Power to one per caster. Otherwise people would just load up with these things.

On the buff spells, yes we use them frequently. Spells like bull's strength, cat's grace, endurance, divine favor, shield of faith, haste, greater magic weapon, and so on, are usually running during the tougher encounters. The 1h/level spells are usually running for the most time of the day.

Yes, they are a bit boring (doing nothing but granting higher stats and bonuses), but they are also needed for the casters (esp. clerics) to engage in combat activities and are nice to have for the fighters.

For my high level character (17th level arcane trickster), her fighting capabilities more than double using the various buff spells and she can keep up with the fighter types this way.

Now the other question is, should the casters be able to engage in combat activities this way?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Lela]

Now the other question is, should the casters be able to engage in combat activities this way?

Bye
Thanee

Only until someone pops out with Dispel Magic, which, if I'm not mistaken, many higher CR monsters carry (Demons + Devils come to mind). After the Fighter gets hit with it, he still has his BaB, damaging weapon, and feats to back him up.

The wizard has a really nice quarter staff and no HP. Bang.

Plus, just hit him with a Reflex save. Cat's Grace won't save him.

 

[KarinsDad]

Only until someone pops out with Dispel Magic, which, if I'm not mistaken, many higher CR monsters carry (Demons + Devils come to mind). After the Fighter gets hit with it, he still has his BaB, damaging weapon, and feats to back him up.

The wizard has a really nice quarter staff and no HP. Bang.

Plus, just hit him with a Reflex save. Cat's Grace won't save him.

Actually, it is not just Demons and Devils.

A low level Orc Shaman can do some serious damage with a single Dispel Magic (I've wondered why Adepts cannot cast Dispel Magic, seems like a natural spell for them).

I ran a Dwarven Illusionist who loved to buff up and duke it out, just like the Fighters in the group.

He did real well until we had a long range encounter (800+ feet) where he ran up (Expeditious Retreat) to a half dozen Orcs and an Orc Shaman. Since the rest of the PCs were in armor and shooting missiles at the Orcs, he was way out in front of them.

The Orcs dropped their bows and surrounded him. Normally, this is not a problem for him. However, the Shaman cast a Dispel Magic on him and he suddenly lost his Expeditious Retreat, Mage Armor, and Mirror Image (he hadn't had time to cast Endurance or Cat's Grace yet). All 3 spells disappeared and he suddenly had a much lower AC, no images to bleed off attacks, and he could no longer run away quickly enough. Even though he had the Tumble skill and could get out, they could quickly surround him again without the Expeditious Retreat.

Opps.

In one round, he was lying unconscious on the ground.