Zealot Pact

[Gaiden]

Is this spell overpowered?

On the face of it, the spell is looking pretty darn sweet - can cast ahead of time, +4 to attacks, double damage! I don't have much experience with spells that have an XP component, however. Does the 500 XP balance out the power of the spell? I am thinking of imposing roleplaying restrictions on the spell such that the target would at least have to be a follower of the deity that the pact was formed with and perhaps even be a representative of the faith (cleric, paladin, have true believer feat, etc.).

Thoughts?

 

[Joker]

500 xp for something that is permanent until discharged doesn't seem to overpowered. In fact. In fact, in my mind it's a bit costly.

 

[Gaiden]

500 xp for something that is permanent until discharged doesn't seem toO overpowered. In fact, in my mind it's a bit costly.

I want to be able to use the spell (I am the player, not the DM for the game in question). However, I will play devil's advocate: if the spell is triggered, victory is practically guaranteed with those sort of combat bonuses, meaning you will be gaining back that XP very quickly. Normally I would say that the level of the spell counteracted this huge combat boost - look at tensor's transformation or righteous might. However, the fact that it can be cast ahead of time almost trumps that argument.

Thoughts?

 

[Gaiden]

So is the general concensus that Joker is correct: that the XP cost is enough of a balance factor?

 

[Jdvn1]

What triggers the spell? That's also a mitigating factor.

 

[youspoonybard]

What triggers the spell? That's also a mitigating factor.

Well, that is a slight problem.

It only works on 1 alignment, and unless your deity is Neutral you can't specify the alignment. In addition, it triggers automatically when you hit a creature of the correct alignment - whether that creature is the BBEG or a lowly summon. Also, you have to go after creatures of the appropriate alignment when the spell is cast.

That would be really funny; having a BBEG keep summoning lowly 1d4+1 creatures every turn, and watching the fighter go back and forth, slaying rats until the spell duration is up : ).

 

[Gaiden]

Well, that is a slight problem.

It only works on 1 alignment, and unless your deity is Neutral you can't specify the alignment. In addition, it triggers automatically when you hit a creature of the correct alignment - whether that creature is the BBEG or a lowly summon. Also, you have to go after creatures of the appropriate alignment when the spell is cast.

That would be really funny; having a BBEG keep summoning lowly 1d4+1 creatures every turn, and watching the fighter go back and forth, slaying rats until the spell duration is up : ).

HAHAHA - that really would be funny.

I doubt my DM would play it that way though - it would be the first time we ever used the spell against opponents that know of us but haven't directly faced us. If it were me I would require a very uber spellcraft check to know that detail of the spell on the spot. On the other hand, if it were used over and over again - I'd have no problem having the enemies using that tactic. This also brings up the point that what is good for the PC's is good for the NPC's. So in all likelihood if we use it we may see it used against us. I am not too concerned about the alignment restriction however because the pact would be made with Heronious for our already zealous paladin/pious templar. Normally he would go after the CE types anyway. And IIRC nothing in the spell description says that the person has the limitations of rage or frenzy so the paladin can still behave tactically in attacking those enemies - just that he would favor attacking those with CE alignments. In fact, the enemies we will be facing are none other than the prophet, 1st, and 3rd in RttToEE. So I am thinking this particular use of the spell will be quite useful.

Lastly, I don't think the spell is triggered until you actually strike a CE opponent. So unless you were foolish enough to stop at those rats I don't think it would much matter.

 

[Nail]

I've concidered the spell for my cleric 14...and always turned it down. The XP cost is too high, especially considering the limitations on alignment, activation, the fact that you are compelled to attack whatever creature has that alignment......Ick.

Consider: For a Clr 11 casting it (6th level spell), he might hope it activates against that big EL 13 battle coming up. Maybe it's against an evil Wizard 13. Once over (and assuming 3 other equal level PCs in the party), our hero the Clr 11 gets 1,100 XP......minus the 500 XP he spent on the spell!

If he "accidentally" used it on an equal CR monster (CR 11), that's 550 XP - 500 XP....net gain of 50 XP. Whoop-dee-dee.

He'd better hope it doesn't go off on a CR 10 encounter...'cause now he's 134 XP in the hole.

What a GREAT spell!!! <=sarcasm

 

[moritheil]

Yeah, what happens when this sucker gets dispelled? Isn't that 500 xp down the tubes?

500 xp for something that is permanent until discharged doesn't seem to overpowered. In fact. In fact, in my mind it's a bit costly.

 

[shilsen]

Yeah, what happens when this sucker gets dispelled? Isn't that 500 xp down the tubes?

Yup. And yup. It's a good spell, but not overpowered, IMNSHO.