What Am I Missing? - [Complete Champion]

[reweaver1701]

2 new spells.

Lore of the Gods 2nd level Cleric
Spiritual Adviser 4th level Cleric

Lore of the Gods gives a +5 insight bonus on all knowledge checks, duration 10 minutes/level
Spiritual Adviser gives a +4 insight bonus on all knowledge checks, duration 1 minute/level

I don't get it. Seems like pretty much the same spell to me, but the higher level one is less beneficial.

Am I missing something?

 

[Remathilis]

LORE OF THE GODS
Divination
level: Cleric 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 minutes/level or until discharged

Your mind opens to the secrets of the cosmos and briefly touches the omniscience of the gods.

You gain a +5 insight bonus on all Knowledge checks. At any point before the duration expires, you can make a check with a Knowledge skill in which you have no ranks, or retry a Knowledge check you have previously failed. The +5 insight bonus still applies in both of those cases, but utilizing this option reduces the spell's remaining duration to 1 minute/level.
If you worship a deity who grants access to the Knowledge domain, the bonus is +10 rather than +5—even if you did not choose that domain.

SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
Divination
Level: Cleric 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 minute/level

When you chant the final words of your incantation, a soft, comforting voice seems to whisper in your ear, "What knowledge may I impart to you?"

Spiritual advisor allows you to consult with a spirit, an angel, or some other divine aspect of your deity. This advisor manifests as a barely shimmering orb that floats above one of your shoulders. When it speaks, only you can hear its counsel.
As long as the spiritual advisor is present, it helps you recall bits of trivia, history, or other knowledge. This knowledge can be as general or specific as is required, and the information gained grants you a +4 insight bonus on all Knowledge checks while the spell is in effect. You can even attempt checks with Knowledge skills in which you have no skill ranks or retry a Knowledge check you failed before casting the spell.

I dunno. The first seems worded to say that the first knowledge check you use it on (or the first re-roll/0 ranks check) discharges it. However, it then goes on to say it changes duration.

Honestly, it seems like the first was improperly worded (perhaps from an older draft or misprint) and the first should imply one use and its over. The second should be usable over-and-over again...

 

[Goreg Skullcrusher]

I dunno. The first seems worded to say that the first knowledge check you use it on (or the first re-roll/0 ranks check) discharges it. However, it then goes on to say it changes duration.

Honestly, it seems like the first was improperly worded (perhaps from an older draft or misprint) and the first should imply one use and its over. The second should be usable over-and-over again...

Actually, it seems like only the 'Duration' line is inconsistent. The first spell essentially breaks down as:

1) +5 to any knowledge checks made within the 10 min/level duration
2) A chance to make a knowledge check untrained, something normally not allowed (with a +5 bonus). Duration changes to 1 min/level
3) Retry a failed knowledge check, something normally not allowed (with a +5 bonus). Duration changes to 1 min/level.

The second spell basically grants the effects of 1 and 2, but with a shorter duration and bonus for 1. I think what was intended was for the effects of 2 and 3 of the first spell to cause premature ending of the spell. Even with the modification I'd argue that the lower level spell is the better one.

 

[satori01]

I've said it before but R&D needs a Spell Zsar, someone on staff that looks over new spells and says, "you know we have something like that". Between PHB II and Complete Mage I want to say there are something like 3 different spells that let you as teleport a small distance, with very little difference between them.

 

[reweaver1701]

Both spells say knowledge checks, plural. I would agree that it would be appropriate if the first spell were one and done. But that's not how it reads. And both spells off the opportunity for untrained checks and recheck of failed checks, the 2nd level with a greater bonus. It grants an even greater bonus if you have the knowledge domain or worship a deity that would grant the knowledge domain. In every aspect the 2nd level spell is far, far superior to the 4th level variation.

This pooch is screwed.

 

[Drowbane]

Potential fix?

Not the first time a WotC spell or two has appeared to be the wrong level.

Powerword Pain, anyone?

LORE OF THE GODS
Divination
level: Cleric 2 Cleric 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 minutes/level or until discharged

Your mind opens to the secrets of the cosmos and briefly touches the omniscience of the gods.

You gain a +5 insight bonus on all Knowledge checks. At any point before the duration expires, you can make a check with a Knowledge skill in which you have no ranks, or retry a Knowledge check you have previously failed. The +5 insight bonus still applies in both of those cases, but utilizing this option reduces the spell's remaining duration to 1 minute/level.
If you worship a deity who grants access to the Knowledge domain, the bonus is +10 rather than +5—even if you did not choose that domain.

SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
Divination
Level: Cleric 4 Cleric 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 minute/level

When you chant the final words of your incantation, a soft, comforting voice seems to whisper in your ear, "What knowledge may I impart to you?"

Spiritual advisor allows you to consult with a spirit, an angel, or some other divine aspect of your deity. This advisor manifests as a barely shimmering orb that floats above one of your shoulders. When it speaks, only you can hear its counsel.
As long as the spiritual advisor is present, it helps you recall bits of trivia, history, or other knowledge. This knowledge can be as general or specific as is required, and the information gained grants you a +4 insight bonus on all Knowledge checks while the spell is in effect. You can even attempt checks with Knowledge skills in which you have no skill ranks or retry a Knowledge check you failed before casting the spell.

Hows that?

 

[Votan]

Both spells say knowledge checks, plural. I would agree that it would be appropriate if the first spell were one and done. But that's not how it reads. And both spells off the opportunity for untrained checks and recheck of failed checks, the 2nd level with a greater bonus. It grants an even greater bonus if you have the knowledge domain or worship a deity that would grant the knowledge domain. In every aspect the 2nd level spell is far, far superior to the 4th level variation.

This pooch is screwed.

Lore of the Gods is SO much better for a knowledge domian cleric that there is little to no point in having the other spells. It also shows up fast enough that a low level cleric (3rd level) can have a larger bonus than a wizard focuses on knowledge. Yikes!

 

[Vysirez]

Lore of the Gods is SO much better for a knowledge domian cleric that there is little to no point in having the other spells. It also shows up fast enough that a low level cleric (3rd level) can have a larger bonus than a wizard focuses on knowledge. Yikes!

Also combines well with the feat from complete champion that allows attack and damage boosts based on knowledge checks.