When do you use interruption spells?

[Pielorinho]

Someone in another thread referred to a class of spells they called "interruption spells": these are things like obscuring mist, various wall spells, darkness, sleet storm, and the like which make it hard to attack opponents.

We very rarely use these in our game, and on the few occasions that I've used them, I've regretted it (e.g., I once put up an obscuring mist to help our rogue/monk escape the reach of the trolls he was fighting, only to have him curse as he was no longer able to sneak attack).

What sort of tactical uses have y'all found for such spells?

Any specific uses for sleet storm and obscuring mist would be extragood for this druid-player.

Daniel

 

[Pielorinho]

Thbump!

Daniel

 

[mseds99]

personally, I LOVE casting silence on opposing spellcaster with my gnome illusionist.

That's proabably my favorite interruption spell, considering he doesn't like to use spells that dirrectly harm opponents.

 

[Xarlen]

I love darkness. Although, the mage in the party has a Bat familiar, so that makes hampering the PCs a little rough.

 

[Storminator]

I have yet to see PCs use them well, but I've recently had evil guys use Obscuring Mist and Darkness. One sorcerer used Ob Mist to get the attack force close to the castle without getting pelted by the archers, then used it to run away. It's a PBeM game, so he's still running away! I don't think he'll make it tho.

The priest that used Darkness did it at the start of the combat. Deeper Darkness, Summon Dire Bats, Doom, Unholy Blight, Curse, Curse, Curse. They hate that guy. All the more since he got away.

I don't think they work very well if you want to keep fighting, but they are alright for breaking off the battle.

PS

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Obscuring Mist is a simply amazing spell. Most of my spellcasting characters keep a scroll of it handy. It's not a spell that you use all the time but when you are surprised from behind by a dozen orcs, an obscuring mist will give you time to regroup. Similarly, if you're facing a horde of rogues or archers, obscuring mist or fog cloud can neutralize their main attacks. Obscuring mist is also useful if you're trying to delay an overpowering force of enemies. Since they can't see where you are, they can't make tactically sound manuevers to surround you. It buys you a lot of time.

Re: other interruptor spells:

I play with a bard who plans to start using tanglefoot bags with silence cast on them to destroy enemy spellcasters. It sounds like it will be a very effective tactic.

As a DM, I've seen a ftr1/clr 5 with blindfighting take on an entire party of 6th to 7th level characters by herself under the cover of deeper darkness. And she came very close to winning as well. Having effectively a 25% miss chance when all your opponents have a 50% miss chance is very effective. If you can find a way to split them up as well, it will be very hard for them to find you and whichever ally you're fighting too. Of course, it really slows combat down so you don't want to use it too often.

 

[Pielorinho]

Interesting stuff!

So obscuring mist is used vs. archers and vs. superior forces, right? I'm thinking we've not used it much (though I've often had it prepared) because we've not gone against many archers, and because we've not een ambushed that often -- especially in situations where ObMist would help.

Maybe we use other spells that combine an interruption with offensive capability: Web is our sorceror's favorite toy, and I've started grooving on Wall of Thorns lately.

Does anyone use Sleet Storm or Fog Cloud? These spells especially seem underpowered for their level to me.

Daniel

 

[Eccles]

My PCs are still low level so I can't unleash anything too nasty on them as yet.

The best I've thought of so far is to Faerie Fire them, then cast Obscuring Mist, so the opponents can tell where the PCs are, but the PCs don't have a clue what's going on.