Why is Otto's Irresistable Dance a Level 8 spell?

[reapersaurus]

It seems so underpowered for a level 8 spell, is this a typo?

Please help me understand:
1) Why it is so high level of spell.

2) If you agree, than what level spell do you think it SHOULD be (relative power-wise)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Alariel]

It's so high level because there is no save against it, and severely hampers the target defensively. The automatic inability to make a reflex save except for a natural 20 is a potent effect.

 

[Thanee]

Ok, compared to Harm it pales, but otherwise it is one of the more powerful no-save-type spells!

Compare it to Maze, which does nothing actually, except giving you some time to prepare... this one allows full attacks throughout with no defense and no offense allowed... quite nasty that, really!

In a duel it's about the same power level as Time Stop (just slightly shorter duration, but added benefit of almost disabling reflex saves)!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Heck yeah! Let's not forget that if you cast it while hasted, fyou can follow it with a Maximized Fireball ... bam, 19 out of 20 times you're gonna do 60 points o' damage. Ouch.

(Plus, I like the idea of a severely burned monster that just keeps on dancin!)

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Invisibility + Otto's Irresistable Dance = almost impossible to miss.

Even better, cast Invisibility on your bat familiar, then have it carry OID. Bat's get blindsight, so even Displacement and Mirror Image won't fool it!

Still think it's weak?

 

[reapersaurus]

Ok.
That answers the question about why it's high level - no save.

So what level do you think it should be if it did grant a save?
(comparing it to other spells, etc)

 

[Thanee]

3rd? Maybe even 2nd.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Kae'Yoss]

3rd? Maybe even 2nd.

Bye
Thanee

Definetly not. 4th level at least. Although you now get a save in the first place (probably will negates), you still dance around helplessly when you fail that. And then the spellcaster usually peppers you with fireballs and lightning bolts.

I think I saw a Otto's Resistable Dance somewhere, though. It was around 4th or 5th level if I recall right.

 

[AuraSeer]

One of the WOTC sourcebooks has a spell called Otto's Resistable Dance-- OID with a Will save-- and I think it's 3rd level. I'm without books at the moment, but it's most likely in MoF or T&B.

 

[Pazu]

Otto's Resistible Dance is a 5th level bard spell in Song and Silence , I believe.

--Pazu