Why did Invisibility get the shaft?

[Greyline]

Just noticed that Invisibility 3.5 has a duration of 1 min./level. Invisibility 3.0 had a duration of 10 min./level. Anyone know the reason for the change? Just curious.

Greyline

 

[Kershek]

You'll also notice that greater invisibility went from 1 min/level to 1 round/level. It probably aligns with their belief that buff spells should be used for items and not all-day buffing. Shrug.

 

[dcollins]

And invisibility in 1.0 was permanent until an attack is made.

One theory is that all magic is just being downgraded over time in the rules. Another theory is that it complicates the use of miniatures on a gameboard, and so is being minimized.

 

[Eldragon]

Look forward to 4e where the duration of Mage Armor is reduced to 1 minute per level because the designers found that too many players were substituting the spell for mundane armor.

IMHO 1 Minute / level is the most annoying duration on a spell. Practically useless to anyone under level 5. You don't have enough time to cast it right before combat, and it certainly won't last longer than 1 combat.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Another theory is that it complicates the use of miniatures on a gameboard, and so is being minimized.

The possibility of this being true depresses me. Don't get me wrong, I like miniatures. I use miniatures. But I don't want my rules written for miniatures.

 

[Darklone]

It makes sorcerers stronger compared to wizards.... yet another plan in some rules changes.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

WotC isn't going to nerf mage armor, even if they give class bonuses to AC in 4e, which I'm really looking forward too...

1 minute/level is fine for invisibility. It means you might have to use your Hide skill occasionally instead of just letting magic do all the work for you.

Which do you think is more interesting:

A) The bard must fasttalk her way past the guards at the mansion, find someone to introduce her to the governor amongst all the guests at a party, try to get him away from his advisors for a few minutes, and talk him into pardoning her rogue friend who got caught with someone else's property. Eagle's Splendor will come in handy, but should she cast it before she nears the mansion, or sneak away and cast it once inside so she has more time to find the governor before it wears off? She could cast it multiple times, but then she's out of spells for the day.

B) The bard casts it once, and has a buffed charisma for hours. She can talk her way past the guards going in and out, bluff the governor, persuade someone to give her an introduction, and intimidate the serving wench into giving her the good wine.

Personally, I find (A) a heck of a lot more fun.

Now picture the use of invisibility instead of eagle's splendor...

 

[shilsen]

1 minute/level is fine for invisibility. It means you might have to use your Hide skill occasionally instead of just letting magic do all the work for you.

What he said. The lowered duration on Invisibility (and Fly) gives the rogues and rangers and other characters who have put points in Hide and Move Silently something to do rather than picking their teeth while the mage does their job. I like it. YMMV.

 

[DarkMaster]

What he said. The lowered duration on Invisibility (and Fly) gives the rogues and rangers and other characters who have put points in Hide and Move Silently something to do rather than picking their teeth while the mage does their job. I like it. YMMV.

Actually the sorcerer in my campaign works with the rogue for the hide and move silently job. And for the really sneaky situation the sorcerer Owl loaded with an invisibility spell go with the rogue. When the situation becomes critical the rogue disapear and the owl fly back to home. I agree that those reduced time improve the quality of play and the ingenuosity of the player.

Concerning the buff spell example where they could be usefull for particular situation. I think that the DM or the player or they (Wotc) should developed spell to handle these specific situations. Instead of having bull strength for all your warrior before the forced march, create a spell that allow forced march for 1hours/level. Same thing for eagle splendor instead of buffing Charisma just buff a certain skill for longer time.

 

[Destil]

I always thought the vast number of opponents with blindsight, scent, see invisibility and the like was the reason to have ranks in the hide instead of just using invisibility. At the same time I never really bought the "Blindsight trumps hide, end of story" rule that was added to 3.0 in suplements but never in the core rules...

Needless to say, I'm less than happy with 3.5s treatment of stealth in some reguards.