Variant Buff spells

[Plane Sailing]

I'm considering an extension to the buff spells, allowing casters to choose at casting time whether to cast them as low intensity or high intensity.

A high intensity casting is exactly like the book - +4 to the attribute for 1min per level.

A low intensity casting gives you +2 to all skill checks modified by that attribute and lasts for 10mins per level.

I feel that this is a useful variant for allowing magic to help with climbing cliffs or performing diplomacy with the king without powering up the basic combat use of the spell.

Cheers

 

[JimAde]

I like it. Two questions:

1) Would the low-intensity bonus apply to stat checks (e.g. just a straight Strength check as opposed to a skill check). This could be an issue with things like Trip and Bull Rush.

2) Similarly, do you want the low-intensity version to apply to combat-related skill checks (like Bluff for feint or Tumble to avoid AoO)?

If you don't want these to happen, you can specify that the bonus only applies in a situation where the character can take 10. They don't actually have to take 10, but they have to be eligible for it.

OTOH, since the skill checks don't actually allow you to hit, maybe you will just allow them.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I would allow it for all skill checks, whether they are used in combat or not.

I wouldn't allow it for any ability checks.

The simple rule is "low intensity ONLY affects skill checks, and it affects ALL skill checks.

 

[JimAde]

I don't mean to nit-pick, but...well, yeah I do. That's what we're here for, right?

If it only applies to skill checks does that mean Bull's Strength won't let me carry more? So my carrying capacity/encumbrance is not improved?

 

[the Jester]

I like it. A good system.

 

[Aaron2]

A high intensity casting is exactly like the book - +4 to the attribute for 1min per level.

A low intensity casting gives you +2 to all skill checks modified by that attribute and lasts for 10mins per level.

I let the caster decide either +4 Str for 1 min/level (i.e. normal) or +2 Str for 10 min / level or +8 Str for 1 round.

I added variable effects to many spells. Forex, Fireball is either normal, 1/2 damage with double radius or as a ray with no save.

Aaron