Unearthed Arcana Unearthed Arcana: Starter Spells; Plus UA Returning To Monthly & Sage Advice Returning

Chaos Bolt is the first Sorcerer-only spell. Interesting.

What I've read so far looks really good. I like the idea of Ceremony quite a bit, but some of the effects (Investiture!) might be a little overpowered.

 

[Hussar]

Giving wizards a minor healing spell doesn't seem like too much of a stretch. I mean, clerics have been ganking wizard spells for quite a while now. Pretty much every cleric domain yoinks wizard spells, including some very iconic ones like fireball and invisibility. Not really worried about it too much to be honest. If my Forge Cleric has burning hands and fireball, I'm hardly going to begrudge your witch having a minor healing potion a couple of times per day.


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But, yeah, I would like to echo the sentiment that it would be nice if non-casters got as much loving as casters. We just got what, about half a dozen spells for every caster class. When was the last time that fighters and rogues got six new options in a single article?

 

[MonkeezOnFire]

But, yeah, I would like to echo the sentiment that it would be nice if non-casters got as much loving as casters. We just got what, about half a dozen spells for every caster class. When was the last time that fighters and rogues got six new options in a single article?

According to my folder of pdfs (which I acknowledge I might have missed saving a couple) it was June 2016 with the weapon and tool focused feats. That seems like a long time, but there also haven't been many UA articles of new spells. The only previous ones I have are black magic and d20 modern which are both fairly narrow use.

It's also worth noting that because these spells are low level that fighters and rogues can get use of them through the Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster subclasses. They're able to pick from these as soon as they hit level 3.

 

[Blue]

On the other hand, I don't understand Guiding Hand. Does the hand move through walls or even mountains or does it take the shortest possible route, solving any pathfinding problem on the way?

It moves in the direction of the landmark, so I have to assume it's direct. Which is good - it may help you find the Lost City of the Jungle, but it may take you there via the most direct route where you are spanning mighty rivers, climbing down and back up the Great Chasm, walking throught he hunting grounds of the dreaded wikikiki bird, and otherwise not having good paths.

It's interesting in that in that it only moves if you walk towards it - so if you go off to the side to find a bridge, it's not following you, it's just hanging out in the last place you were within 5', beckoning for you.

 

[Blue]

I think Ceremony is meant to be a "campaign" spell. You become the local priest, who blesses marriages, gives young adults advice on their rite of passage into adulthood, and maintain your community. Very much an NPC spell, IMO.

Sure, but it's just as appropriate for the eldest child when you rescued the kidnapped children of the village and you tell him he needs to be responsible for keeping the rest of them together as you escort them back.

 

[Hussar]

According to my folder of pdfs (which I acknowledge I might have missed saving a couple) it was June 2016 with the weapon and tool focused feats. That seems like a long time, but there also haven't been many UA articles of new spells. The only previous ones I have are black magic and d20 modern which are both fairly narrow use.

It's also worth noting that because these spells are low level that fighters and rogues can get use of them through the Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster subclasses. They're able to pick from these as soon as they hit level 3.

Well, yes and no. I mean, we have an entire Mystic Class, just to name an example of yet another caster.

I'd just love to see the non-magic side of the game get a lot more loving.

 

[Blue]

Any further work on weapons and armor is too much overhead but here have more and more spells. Keep Moving no double standard to be found here. This is starting to feel like a mix of earlier editions for martial characters.

You are both assuming that the designers and players base want more mundane gear, and assigning motives to the developers on why your wish hasn't materialized.

If you want it, design it and put it up on DM's Guild. Be positive and proactive.

 

[Blue]

Regarding the ceremony spell, I'd much prefer it if they simply expanded on the Performing Sacred Rites downtime activity. I feel like it would be a more appropriate way to model these ceremonies in the game. Having them all be part of a magic spell just doesn't sit right with me. If nothing else, it kind of makes the downtime activity obsolete.

I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it, but this is a real kick in the teeth to any character who has a priestly background but not the cleric class. Sorry, you can't marry people or do other rites because you don't cast cleric or paladin spells.

 

[User_Undefined]

Any Acolyte or priest can still marry people, the couple just won't get +2 AC.

 

[TwoSix]

Any Acolyte or priest can still marry people, the couple just won't get +2 AC.

Exactly. Just because the Ceremony spell has effects that mimic religious rites doesn't mean all religious rites are part of the Ceremony spell.

 

[Blue]

Does anyone else besides me find it extremely funny that in D&D-land, apparently the primary benefit of marriage is a temporary +2 bonus to your AC and saving throws? At least in 5E.

What a messed-up world that implies.

Marriage
1st-level enchantment
Components: V, S, M (all your money)
For 2 week you are overcome by a sense of euphoria. During this time you gain advantage on ability and skill checks when within 30' of other target(s) of this spell, and are immune to charm by any source outside those other target(s).
At the end of the first year, and every subsequent year, frequency of intimate relations will halve.
You may cast this spell at higher levels. For each level cast beyond first each target owes the church 1 month salary or the equivalent and additional benefits:
At 2nd level food and alcohol is served after and a bard plays.
At 3rd level paintings of all targets and the others attending are magically produced.
At 6th level food is equivalent of Heroes' Feast for all involved.