Tiberius said:
Since you've specifically called out Rope Trick here, I'm interested in your opinion. Given that the spell creates an extradimensional space capable of holding multiple people for hours at a time while being nigh-unassailable, to what uses do you think this is meant to be put if not resting for the night without worrying about wandering monsters?
I can count the times I (or the people I play with, or the DM) have used rope trick on one hand.
1) When fleeing from an overpowering encounter, we used a scroll of rope trick to hide when there was no other good alternative. We recognize its use as a cool hidey-hole when all else seems lost.
2) When the party was busting down the BBEG lair, he needed a diabolical-evil-back-up-plan (tm) and decided to hide the McGuffin. He cast rope trick, sent his minion up there with the McGuffin, and stayed to fight us. We beat him, searched his chambers but was unable to find
what was hiden right in front of us. We left and hours later the minion came down with the McGuffin to continue his lord's evil schemes.
3) We had to deal with an army on the march. We used scrying and such to figure out the army's path and speed, and found a place where it was likely they would camp for the night. We used a scroll of rope trick to hide in the middle of the strong point, and the army encamped around us. Hours later, when most of the army was asleep we dropped down into the middle of the enemy force and preceeded to wreak havoc as only PCs can do.
4) Assassins attempted to kill a party member. They were forced to flee, and the party was magic heavy and planned to use spells to track them. The assassins retreated to a rope trick (which being extra-dimensional the DM later said defeated the on-the-same-plane spells used). They used their hours time in there to apply disguises, and then when the rope trick ended, they
walked by the paranoid PCs who had
true sight up, looking for magical disguises.
I do not deny the idea behind the spell was to create a place where the party can rest safely. I see it as a wonderful last-resort, "Oh my gods, we're all going to die!" spell, or a nice "We need a creative way not to be seen," spell.
Maybe some DMs train players to seek unassaliable shelters because othewise they get beaten into the ground every time they attempt to sleep. Fortunately I have never been in a game like that, either as a player or a DM. Provided the group takes reasonable precautions (watches,
alarm spells, fortifying positions, guard animals, etc), then I find the nightime encountes, both for weal and woe, enhance the gaming experience without unneccessarily inconvincing the players.
When used sparingly, to protect the party from total death, I have no problem with it. When it becomes synonomous with, "we make camp," (or, "we find an inn for the night,") then I really do wonder about the adventuring spirit of said casters.
And he's not looking to break the game.
When in his first post, he said:
After 10 minutes, and with no save, he must follow my given instructions (i.e. "grant me three wishes").
and
Honestly, the only down side I can see to this plan is that I'm going to have to be really creative to think of uses for all these wishes! I can do this at least once a day, indefinitely. Now whenever our artificer says "I'll spend the two weeks that we're resting in making these magic items", I'll just say: "I'll wish for the following 42 magic items".
Forgive me if I have doubts.
