Tune of the Dancing Weapon, overpowered or just right?

[Arravis]

In Dragon Magazine #335, they had an interesting spell in a section dealing with bardic magic. I wanted to get everyone's opinion on it. Does anyone think this spell might be overpowered? It may be that I'm seeing it from the point of view of my character, in whose hands it'll be quite potent. Well, I'd love to hear your impressions, thanks!

Tune of the Dancing Weapon: Transmutation; Brd2, Sor/Wiz 2; Components: V, S; Casting Time: 1 standard action; Range: Touch; Target: Weapon Touched; Duration: 4 rounds; Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless, object); Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless, object);
You imbue a single weapon with the dancing special ability for the duration of this spell. The affected weapon immediately begins attacking on its own. After 4 rounds, the weapon drops, as normal for the dancing ability.

Dancing Weapon: As a standard action, a dancing weapon can be loosed to attack on its own. It fights for 4 rounds using the base attack bonus of the one who loosed it and then drops. While dancing, it cannot make attacks of opportunity, and the person who activated it is not considered armed with the weapon. In all other respects, it is considered wielded or attended by the creature for all maneuvers and effects that target items. While dancing, it takes up the same space as the activating character and can attack adjacent foes (weapons with reach can attack opponents up to 10 feet away). The dancing weapon accompanies the person who activated it everywhere, whether she moves by physical or magical means. If the wielder who loosed it has an unoccupied hand, she can grasp it while it is attacking on its own as a free action; when so retrieved the weapon can’t dance (attack on its own) again for 4 rounds.

 

[Krafen]

It doesn't look terribly overpowered to me. What about your character would make it "quite potent"?


I hadn't really looked closely at the dancing weapon enchantment before, but it looks like a rogue's dancing weapon could get sneak attack damage. A rougue with quickdraw could have some fun with that one.

 

[Arravis]

Well, my bladesinger already gets 4 attacks, if he has one weapon dancing, and uses his normal weapon in hand... that's a rather nasty 8 attacks as a full-round action (once the dancing weapon is activated).

Now, imagine a build on top of that had two weapon fighting.

 

[Infiniti2000]

A 2nd level spell that duplicates a +4 market modifier is overpowered. It would suggest that Tune of the Vorpal Weapon is only a 3rd level spell. Yet, keen is a 3rd level spell for only a +1 market modifier.

 

[Arravis]

Their "balancing" factor may be that it only lasts 4 rounds and would only work for the caster, while Keen Edge lasts for 10 minutes a level and benefits anyone using that particular weapon.

 

[FEADIN]

It depends how you play the weapon, nothing says that you have the strength and everything that you have when you wield it, we play as it is written, the BAB gives you multiattacks and you have the magic of the blade only.
A longsword +3 dancing for a 10lvl fighter would be:
hit: +13/+8
dam:1d8+3
I don't know if there are official answers on those points
Dancing Weapon: As a standard action, a dancing weapon can be loosed to attack on its own. It fights for 4 rounds using the base attack bonus of the one who loosed it and then drops. While dancing, it cannot make attacks of opportunity, and the person who activated it is not considered armed with the weapon. In all other respects, it is considered wielded or attended by the creature for all maneuvers and effects that target items. While dancing, it takes up the same space as the activating character and can attack adjacent foes (weapons with reach can attack opponents up to 10 feet away). The dancing weapon accompanies the person who activated it everywhere, whether she moves by physical or magical means. If the wielder who loosed it has an unoccupied hand, she can grasp it while it is attacking on its own as a free action; when so retrieved the weapon can’t dance (attack on its own) again for 4 rounds.

 

[Arravis]

To explain why I believe it only works for the caster...
The spell mentions that when the spell is cast, the weapon immediately becomes dancing, is activated, and begins attacking. Since the caster is the person doing the "activating", even if you touched another party-member's weapon, you're still the "activator" of the magic, therefor it would dance for you alone.

 

[Arravis]

Rethinking this post, hold on

 

[Infiniti2000]

Their "balancing" factor may be that it only lasts 4 rounds and would only work for the caster, while Keen Edge lasts for 10 minutes a level and benefits anyone using that particular weapon.

That's not a balancing factor because that's also how the abilities work anyway. Keen works continuously on a weapon while dancing lasts four rounds. You have to pick up your dancing sword and activate it again just as with the spell (pick it up and cast it again). Except, in the case of the spell, you don't even have to pick it up. Also, what makes you think it only works for the caster? I see "Range: Touch" in your quote.

It depends how you play the weapon...

So, what is your answer to the OP's question? You are not considering my response at all, either way, it seems.

 

[ken-ichi]

A nice Extend MetaMagic on this bump it to 3rd level and it lasts 8 rounds. Sweet.
I could see a bard based whirling dervish two weapon fighter coming at you in a dervish dance with 3 blade flailing all around her.
Mmmm. Will have to write up this character and possibly use it as an NPC.