What kind of cracked out spell is this?

[reveal]

From the Planar Handbook: Spell Vulnerability

It reduces the SR of a critter by 1 per caster level (max of 15). SR doesn't work against the spell and the target takes a penalty on the save equal to your caster level. Who the heck came up with that one?!

Oh and it's a 3rd level sor/wiz spell. Assay Resistance in the CompArc gives you a +10 to defeat a creatures spell resistance and it's a 4th level sor/wiz spell!

Or am I just being too dramatic?

 

[Thanee]

Or am I just being too dramatic?

Yeah.

Assay Resistance is much better.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Infiniti2000]

Assay Resistance is much better.

I translate that as too good.

 

[reveal]

I'm not sure Assay Resistance is too good. AR simply gives you a +10 to caster level checks against single creature. Spell Vulnerability completely removes the creatures SR for a time for everyone. And the creature gets a negative on its save simply because of the caster.

Maybe it wouldn't bother me as much if it were a higher level spell.

 

[NexH]

From the Planar Handbook: Spell Vulnerability

It reduces the SR of a critter by 1 per caster level (max of 15). SR doesn't work against the spell and the target takes a penalty on the save equal to your caster level. Who the heck came up with that one?!

It seems to be the same as Lower Spell Resistance from the Draconomicon, which is a 4th level spell.
In the case of Lower Spell Resistance the balance is in the 1 round casting time, since it gives time to disrupt the spell. (And if I am not mistaken you can't quicken a spell with a casting longer than a full round action)

 

[Thanee]

I translate that as too good.

The only thing that stands between Assay Resistance and being completely overpowered, is, that it is only good against a single opponent.

But it's really much better, than Spell Penetration and makes Spell Resistance kinda irrelevant for the big nasties you encounter.

OTOH, I consider Lower Spell Resistance and its cousin Spell Vulnerability to be mediocre spells at best. They are only good for cohorts and weakish support-type casters, if you have multiple casters (like 3+, including the one who casts the spell) in the party.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Infiniti2000]

Hijack - Assay Resistance

The only thing that stands between Assay Resistance and being completely overpowered, is, that it is only good against a single opponent.

But even then, the restriction is nearly non-existent. The archmage in my party ALWAYS has two assay resistances available. Always. When someone ALWAYS prepares a spell, I start to recognize a problem. If it was a 1 action spell, I think it would be okay, perhaps also with a reduction to +5 on the check. Or maybe just with the +5.

The problem with lowering an opponent's SR is that it quickly unbalances the higher level spells that have no saves and only SR. Suddenly, there's nothing at all keeping such spells in check. Assay resistance was definitely not created with an eye towards core balance.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I don't allow spells that lower SR.

But, then, I also don't allow those spells that turn weapons into brilliant energy weapons.

I suppose its campaign specific. In Planescape you run into SR opponents fairly often, and I use lots of NPCs as well. Both these spells are a bit too much for those kinds of situations. +10 caster level? Riiiight... This is why I have the Table Rule that says everything outside Core has to be allowed on a case by case basis!

 

[Saeviomagy]

OTOH, that archmage could simply memorise spells which don't allow SR...

Those top-tier spells tend to have something holding them in check IN ADDITION to SR. Like a range of touch, or expensive components etc.

Otherwise EVERY MONSTER AND BBEG would have to have SR. They don't.

So - if your archmage ALWAYS prepares assay resistance, then it's because he obviously doesn't feel that any of his other 4th level spells are worth the time. Which would seem to suggest that every opponent and his buddy has SR. Which in itself is a "screw the magic user over" sort of scenario. Having a spell to help with that isn't a terrible thing.

 

[dagger]

I also think you have to have the target of Assay Resistance in sight, so you lose a round right there.