Variant Silence

[Kodam]

Hi!

Here's a alternate take on the Silence spell:

The effect is a one-time Burst, not a emanation within a 15ft. radius. All creatures in the area must succeed at a Will save or be unable to produce or hear any sound for 1 round/level even if they later leave the area of effect. The victims are deafened. The spell (still) provides a defense against sonic or language-based attacks. Of course SR would apply against all these effects, too.

Any opinions on this?

Kodam

 

[AeroDm]

What level is it and what range. It sounds interesting and vaguely familar. Perhaps there is another spell like this in some suppliment that just isn't coming to me atm?

 

[DaveStebbins]

So it doesn't produce the static area of silence (which can be useful in some situations and a pain in others), but it has the potential to produce the regular spell's failed-save effect on everyone in the AoE who fails their save?

The regular spell has the potential to silence a single person and create an area of tactical disadvantage. This spell does not create the area, but can silence many individuals. This could be devastating to spell-casters and overall enemy communication during melee.

I guess I'd make it third level, unless someone can convince me it needs to be fourth. I might also restrict it to a specific domain and not make it a general-use cleric spell.

 

[Kodam]

Hi!

I considered all not-mentioned specifics to remain the same as with the momentary silence spell. I don't know if there's a similar spell somewhere else but its perfectly possible. This is in any case just another take on the spell in the PHB.

So it doesn't produce the static area of silence (which can be useful in some situations and a pain in others), but it has the potential to produce the regular spell's failed-save effect on everyone in the AoE who fails their save?

Right. Note that now, there's no Save or SR at all except when its centered on you!

The regular spell has the potential to silence a single person and create an area of tactical disadvantage. This spell does not create the area, but can silence many individuals. This could be devastating to spell-casters and overall enemy communication during melee.

I actually do think that my version of this spell is weaker because spellcasters (and all others) do get Will saves (and SR if appropriate). I think this spell fits more to second spell level than the version in the books.

Kodam

 

[Nail]

Resurrecting an old thread...

I, too, am working on an alternate Silence spell. In part, because in the game in which I play, I absolutely devastate the enemy spell casters with this one.

Here's my proposed version, changes in blue:

Silence
Illusion (Glamer)
Level: Brd 2, Clr 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on a creature, object, or point in space
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates; see text or none (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes; see text or no (object)

This spell stops all sound; no noise whatsoever issues from, enters, or passes through the affected area. Verbal magic (verbal spell components, magic item command words, etc.) may be used within the area only with a successful Will save, made as the verbal magic is used. A creature rolls the save each time it attempts verbal magic until it makes a successful save.
Creatures that have either made their saving throws, or are immune to it because of spell resistance can make sound, but the sound cannot travel through the silenced area. Therefore they could cast spells, use magic items, etc, but while in the area they could not verbally communicate, use language based attacks, issue verbal commands to dominated creatures, or use sonic attacks.

The spell can be cast on a point in space, but the effect is stationary unless cast on a mobile object. The spell can be centered on a creature, and the effect then radiates from the creature and moves as it moves. An unwilling creature can attempt a Will save to negate the spell and can use spell resistance, if any. Items in a creature’s possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and spell resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not. This spell provides a defense against sonic or language-based attacks.

 

[Sir Whiskers]

Hi!

Here's a alternate take on the Silence spell:

The effect is a one-time Burst, not a emanation within a 15ft. radius. All creatures in the area must succeed at a Will save or be unable to produce or hear any sound for 1 round/level even if they later leave the area of effect. The victims are deafened. The spell (still) provides a defense against sonic or language-based attacks. Of course SR would apply against all these effects, too.

Any opinions on this?

Kodam

I'd be inclined to leave this at 2nd level. As you pointed out, the targets who would be most affected (spellcasters) tend to have the best Will saves. It's short duration, probably medium range (you didn't specify), and other than messing up most spellcasting, it doesn't have huge negative effects to those who miss their save. If it seems just a tad too good for 2nd level, lower the radius to 10' (equal to glitterdust, IIRC).

Consider it yoinked.