True Strike balance?

[~Johnny~]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but I'm looking for some critical evaluation of True Strike.

True Strike
Divination
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: See text

You gain temporary, intuitive insight into the immediate future during your next attack. Your next single attack roll (if it is made before the end of the next round) gains a +20 insight bonus. Additionally, you are not affected by the miss chance that applies to attackers trying to strike a concealed target.

Focus: A small wooden replica of an archery target.

I can see how it wouldn't be a big deal for the party wizard to get a +20 on an attack roll with a dart, but it seems pretty nasty in the hands of someone with any real attack ability.

A few cheap true strike potions would seem a must for any adventurer. In fact, how much would you say a true strike monocle would be worth, and how often would it be useable?

I'm not a good rules critic, so I may be missing something big here. For all I know, people could find this harmless ...or it may be widely regarded as a munchkin spell that people houserule out of existence. What's the word?

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

It's still a standard action to cast the spell, that's the balancing factor, IMO, for a fighter-type getting access to this spell.

A fighter will forfeit a full round of attacks to cast the spell, and will get a +20 insight bonus to the first attack during the next round.

A potion of True Strike doesn't exist because (IRC) you can't produce a potion of a spell who's range is "Personal".

A monocle of True Strike, on the other hand, IMO, would be iffy, but it's still a standard action to activate...

AR

 

[mikebr99]

It's still a std. action to cast the spell... or drink a potion (plus getting the potion out) for that matter. So, you use the thing this round, and attack once next round with the benefit. No big deal in my books.


What AR said...

Mike

 

[~Johnny~]

A potion of True Strike doesn't exist because (IRC) you can't produce a potion of a spell who's range is "Personal".

Wow, thanks! I don't think I realized that. Hmmm... better check my homebrew stuff to make sure I don't have too many personal potions.

 

[Darklone]

Quickened True Strikes with Power Attack from Eldritch Knights are funny, but not too strong.

But it's a nice way to cleave through hordes of not so lowly mooks.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Wow, thanks! I don't think I realized that. Hmmm... better check my homebrew stuff to make sure I don't have too many personal potions.

What about wands? I don't have my PHB on me but I can't remember what magic charge items CAN store a "Personal Only" spell. I don't consider scrolls to be in the same category since they are one shot items.

 

[Sejs]

Wands of True Strike work just fine, as wands don't have a restriction as to what type of spell can be placed in one.

Quickened True Strikes with Power Attack from Eldritch Knights are funny, but not too strong.

Eldrtich Knights with Improved Familiar (Small Earth Elemental) are fun. True strike for me and Dirty gets some too!

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Quickened True Strikes with Power Attack from Eldritch Knights are funny, but not too strong.

Indeed they are, but you're sacrificing a 5th level spell slot, when you could be casting Cloudkill, Cone of Cold or an Empowered (was going to say widened, but Widen is SL+3) Fireball to take out those mooks...

AR

 

[iceifur]

Also realize that you can make an "Elixer of True Strike" by subbing in Craft Wondrous Item for Brew Potion. The cost should be roughly the same, IIRC (single-use item: Caster level * Spell level * 50).

-B-

 

[Will]

I don't know, that eldritch knight might want to use those quickened true strikes for those ungodly hard to hit creatures...