Winter Warden whining...

[TracerBullet42]

Just want to complain for a bit...and maybe someone from the Dragon Magazine will read this...

I'm playing a 9th level Winter Warden (druid variant from Dragon #311) and I noticed something yesterday during the game. Part of the Winter Wardens class features is a bonus to spells with the "cold" subtype. You cast all "cold" spells as if one level higher, and also gain a +1 to saving throw DCs.

Sounds good, right?

Well, I looked through my spell list, and so far, through the first 5 spellcasting levels, I have only 1 spell that has a saving throw or caster level check. And that spell is the 0-level Ray of Frost. And the only bonus I get is potentially an extra 5' of range on it.

So what good does that class ability do? Any thoughts?

/End whining.

 

[Piratecat]

What if you took the energy substitution feat and aplied it to spells like flamestrike?

 

[TracerBullet42]

What if you took the energy substitution feat and aplied it to spells like flamestrike?

You know...that's a really good idea.

No really, just typing that it felt very sarcastic, but I mean it. That's a good idea. And I just leveled and can choose a new feat...I think I'll do that.

Anybody else have any other thoughts?

Thanks, PC.

 

[BlackMoria]

A number of low level AU spells are cold subtype and the feat from AU - 'Energy Mage (Cold)' allows you to apply the Cold spell template to any of your damage spells (which means they are all cold subtype and do cold damage).

I don't know if you looked at AU but it is worth a look because alot can be mined for inclusion into almost any campaign.

 

[WayneLigon]

A number of low level AU spells are cold subtype and the feat from AU - 'Energy Mage (Cold)' allows you to apply the Cold spell template to any of your damage spells (which means they are all cold subtype and do cold damage).

There was a recent issue of the Dragon that did the Spell Template idea for 3.0/3.5 as well.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Where is the Energy Substitution feat? (Don't have book with me...but I'm pretty sure it's not in the PHB)

And now we're venturing into rules forum territory, aren't we...

 

[eris404]

Just want to complain for a bit...and maybe someone from the Dragon Magazine will read this...

I'm playing a 9th level Winter Warden (druid variant from Dragon #311) and I noticed something yesterday during the game. Part of the Winter Wardens class features is a bonus to spells with the "cold" subtype. You cast all "cold" spells as if one level higher, and also gain a +1 to saving throw DCs.

Sounds good, right?

Well, I looked through my spell list, and so far, through the first 5 spellcasting levels, I have only 1 spell that has a saving throw or caster level check. And that spell is the 0-level Ray of Frost. And the only bonus I get is potentially an extra 5' of range on it.

So what good does that class ability do? Any thoughts?

/End whining.

Does the warden use the same druid spell list? How does your DM feel about spells from outside sources? For example, Wizards put out a bunch of new cold spells here:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fw/20030124a

Not all druid spells, of course, but there are a few. Some other 3rd party books might have some good ones, too.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Does the warden use the same druid spell list? How does your DM feel about spells from outside sources?

Pretty much the same list. Everything on the druid list plus I have Ray of Frost at this point...I get a few others when I gain another 4-5 levels...

Thanks for the link. I'll have to dig through some other books to see if there's more "cold" spells...

 

[Piratecat]

Energy substitution is in Tome & Blood. Also, glance at R&R for some additional cold spells.

 

[Ace]

Pretty much the same list. Everything on the druid list plus I have Ray of Frost at this point...I get a few others when I gain another 4-5 levels...

Thanks for the link. I'll have to dig through some other books to see if there's more "cold" spells...

Its also perfectly reasonable to ask your GM to allow all of your Fire spells to be Cold ones instead

Ice Strike, Frost Blade, Produce Frost, Wall of Cold and so on

The effect on game balance is nill