Author Topic: Spells that deserve more attention!  (Read 60363 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ninjarabbit

  • Hong Kong
  • ****
  • Posts: 1442
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #20 on: December 27, 2009, 10:06:37 PM »
Ray of exhaustion

Screws over chargers and anything that relies on movement. Even on a successful save the target is still fatigued

Azrael

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 434
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #21 on: December 27, 2009, 10:18:43 PM »
As far as spells that deserve more attention...

Manyjaws - 3rd level SpC: This spell should be the bread and butter of most casters. It does force damage, which is pretty difficult to resist (unless you are facing a force dragon or the enemy happens to know forceward), it lasts for 3 rounds, can select multiple targets, and is easily metamagiked. This should be the spell you use when you aren't necessarily facing something life-threatening, or as an opening spell. Its really good for conserving attack spells.

Veil of Undeath - 8th level SpC: Probably one of the best defensive spells in the game. It gives you a shit load of immunities, including mind-affecting (so there's mostly no need for a mind blank). Basically, this spell makes it so you hardly, if ever, have to make a Fort or Will save; which just leaves Ref (which are usually tied to damage dealing effects anyway, so as long as you have a way to prevent damage you don't need to worry).

*Additionally, when combined with Shapechange into something with Regeneration you gain complete immunity to damage from anything except what they aren't resistant to. You could do a troll and then cast energy immunity fire and acid for complete immunity to all damage. You don't even need to persist to do this. Just
use a greater metamagic extend rod on both Shapechange and Veil of Undeath, leave 3 slots open for them, and cast Energy Immunity twice (since its 24 hour duration).

Eyes of the Oracle - 6th level DM: One of the biggest overlooked spells IMHO. It allows you to ready a standard action every round. As far as defensive purposes go, this spell is golden. What happens when you use up your immediate action and contingency? With this spell you can surprise enemy spellcasters that think they have you locked down. It has other uses as well, but for me, having a bit of extra defense is always a plus.

Effulgent Epuration - 9th level SpC: It gives you one orb per CL which you can use to selectively negate one targeted spell on you, each. Normally I don't even use this spell (mostly because of Rods of Absorbtion), but its still a nice defensive spell that I never hear mentioned (probably because of RoAs).

Oh yeah, and Anti-Life Shell...It never specifies but does the caster have to be non-living to cast it around himself? Otherwise, its a pretty good spell for preventing melee combat, assuming they don't have reach.
« Last Edit: December 27, 2009, 11:13:42 PM by Azrael »

Sinfire Titan

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 5697
  • You've got one round to give a rat's ass.
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #22 on: December 27, 2009, 11:13:22 PM »

Effulgent Epuration - 9th level SpC: It gives you one orb per CL which you can use to selectively negate one targeted spell on you, each. Normally I don't even use this spell (mostly because of Rods of Absorbtion), but its still a nice defensive spell that I never hear mentioned (probably because of RoAs).

To be honest, I'd prefer this over a rod. Spells are a renewable resource, but Rods of Absorption are pricey and difficult to produce on a constant basis. The down-side is that, IIRC, the spell only affects one spell per school per casting.


[spoiler][/spoiler]

Azrael

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 434
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #23 on: December 27, 2009, 11:22:40 PM »
To be honest, I'd prefer this over a rod. Spells are a renewable resource, but Rods of Absorption are pricey and difficult to produce on a constant basis. The down-side is that, IIRC, the spell only affects one spell per school per casting.

Huh?

Are you thinking of 'Elminsters' Effulgent Epuration, which is an older version of this spell. The new Effulgent Epuration, printed in SpC, just absorbs one spell per caster level targeted at you; it has nothing to do with schools.

It also depends on the situation. If you are a Wizard, yes, its worth memorizing. However, if you are a Sorcerer, you have Shapechange, Timestop, and X. X is usually an offensive spell like Maw of Chaos, or MDJ. I will rarely use that third spell to learn something like Effulgent Epuration since it seems redundant when you have things like a Rod of Absorption, Ray Deflection/Friendly Fire, decent countering ability/things like wings of cover. I agree, its better to have the spell, but when you are a Sorcerer its usually not worth that 3rd slot.

bearsarebrown

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 2616
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #24 on: December 27, 2009, 11:33:33 PM »
Eyes of the Oracle - 6th level DM: One of the biggest overlooked spells IMHO. It allows you to ready a standard action every round. As far as defensive purposes go, this spell is golden. What happens when you use up your immediate action and contingency? With this spell you can surprise enemy spellcasters that think they have you locked down. It has other uses as well, but for me, having a bit of extra defense is always a plus.

The spell is is round/lvl until discharge IIRC.

Azrael

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 434
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #25 on: December 28, 2009, 12:08:41 AM »
The spell is is round/lvl until discharge IIRC.

So...

Cast Arcane Spellsurge, cast Eyes of the Oracle as your Swift; ready an action to disrupt or counter.

Use it if you need it.

Next round cast one spell and either Eyes of the Oracle if you used it, or another spell as swift.

Either way you are one up an action on your enemy...its an excellent spell. It just requires some advanced tactical thinking.

You could also cast it in a time stop, along with your other buffs...lasting only one round/level isn't a big deal. How often do battles go on for 11 or more rounds anyway?

« Last Edit: December 28, 2009, 12:10:26 AM by Azrael »

Eldariel

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 459
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #26 on: December 28, 2009, 12:13:28 AM »
Its real use is Persisting it through DMM or Inc or whatever and having an action readied to throw an FU at any person who tries anything funny.

PhaedrusXY

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 8022
  • Advanced Spambot
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #27 on: December 28, 2009, 12:15:44 AM »
Its real use is Persisting it through DMM or Inc or whatever and having an action readied to throw an FU at any person who tries anything funny.
It would still discharge... It's like Persistant True Strike. It's still only good for one attack.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

telehax

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 443
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #28 on: December 28, 2009, 12:24:47 AM »
You still can't persist dischargable spells, IIRC. Unless, like footsteps of the divine, it has wonky wording.

KellKheraptis

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 2668
  • What's the matter? I thought you had me...
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #29 on: December 28, 2009, 12:30:52 AM »
Dispelling Screen : Hi, I block all magical effects.  Thanks to Doc Rock for this little gem.

Mental Pinnacle : Often overlooked as it costs your spellcasting, but no such restriction if you cast it on a familiar and then have him transfer the PP to power PsiChir-ed powers you know.  And when you're getting 2/3 return off 3 pp/CL with a CL of 110, that's quite a few PP for basically no cost (other than the, in the case of the mage above, swift action it took to cast).  Integrate it into your buff routine, and you're all set.  Also nice if you then manifest vigor and share pain with you, your familiar, and anything else sentient on you...like an Item Familiar or a Psicrystal.  It'd be like Patch 1.09 Diablo II, with 75% damage reduction!
BG's Resident Black Hatter
The Mango List Reborn!
My Warmage Trickery (coming soon!)
My PrC Pally Trickery (coming soon!)
The D&D Archive
-Work in progress!

PhaedrusXY

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 8022
  • Advanced Spambot
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #30 on: December 28, 2009, 01:01:59 AM »
Sticks and Stones: creates a 2 HD "skeleton" with a wight's energy drain attack. Level 3.

Toothed Tentacle: (2nd level Evocation spell, grants three 2d6 attacks with 30 foot reach, AB = CL + stat, dur=concentration up to 1 rnd/lvl)
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

KellKheraptis

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 2668
  • What's the matter? I thought you had me...
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #31 on: December 28, 2009, 01:09:16 AM »
Sticks and Stones: creates a 2 HD "skeleton" with a wight's energy drain attack. Level 3.

Toothed Tentacle: (2nd level Evocation spell, grants three 2d6 attacks with 30 foot reach, AB = CL + stat, dur=concentration up to 1 rnd/lvl)

Those are wicked, especially the second one.  Best "blast" I ever saw at 2nd level (or one of at the very least...given that it'll more likely hit than Scorching Ray, and it's capable of doing damage per round).  I wonder if directing it is part of concentration...if it is, that's just plain wicked with either Swift Concentration or Sonorous Hum.
BG's Resident Black Hatter
The Mango List Reborn!
My Warmage Trickery (coming soon!)
My PrC Pally Trickery (coming soon!)
The D&D Archive
-Work in progress!

PhaedrusXY

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 8022
  • Advanced Spambot
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #32 on: December 28, 2009, 01:20:33 AM »
Sticks and Stones: creates a 2 HD "skeleton" with a wight's energy drain attack. Level 3.

Toothed Tentacle: (2nd level Evocation spell, grants three 2d6 attacks with 30 foot reach, AB = CL + stat, dur=concentration up to 1 rnd/lvl)

Those are wicked, especially the second one.  Best "blast" I ever saw at 2nd level (or one of at the very least...given that it'll more likely hit than Scorching Ray, and it's capable of doing damage per round).  I wonder if directing it is part of concentration...if it is, that's just plain wicked with either Swift Concentration or Sonorous Hum.
Well... it's not a touch attack, so it isn't more likely to hit than Scorching Ray. It lasts for a while though, so I like it. And it isn't energy damage, so no resistances apply. No DR, either, as it is an untyped magical effect. It would also benefit from "buffs" that boost damage, like Inspire Courage, on each attack, which is very nice... I'll be using this with my 7th level cl. cleric/SCM, so it will be at CL8 and auto-extended, and we also have a bard... It will probably be my default attack spell from now on.

The first one is more of an easy way to create a wight, so you can Rebuke it later, without investing feats, etc.
« Last Edit: December 28, 2009, 01:33:16 AM by PhaedrusXY »
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Azrael

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 434
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #33 on: December 28, 2009, 01:28:32 AM »
Yes, you cannot persist Eyes of the Oracle

The only way I know of to persist it is being a metamind and using the font of power/temporal reiteration trick.

Of course you would have to be fused with a caster or something so you could cast it on yourself.

The_Mad_Linguist

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 8780
  • Simulated Thing
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #34 on: December 28, 2009, 01:56:47 AM »
I really like lightning leap.  Does decent electricity damage (15d6 cap), transmutation school, and teleports you a decent distance.  Best use, though, is with sculpt spell.

Overall, I'd say it's my favorite mid-level spell.
Linguist, Mad, Unique, none of these things am I
My custom class: The Priest of the Unseen Host
Planetouched Handbook
Want to improve your character?  Then die.

KellKheraptis

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 2668
  • What's the matter? I thought you had me...
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #35 on: December 28, 2009, 02:47:59 AM »
Master Earth for druids.  What were you saying Mr. Wizard about that forcecage and dimensional lock as I tear your face off? :devil
BG's Resident Black Hatter
The Mango List Reborn!
My Warmage Trickery (coming soon!)
My PrC Pally Trickery (coming soon!)
The D&D Archive
-Work in progress!

Azrael

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 434
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #36 on: December 28, 2009, 02:59:31 AM »
As for psionics...

I think the power Sense Danger (Psion 3/Psy Warr 2; Magic of Eberron) is highly overlooked...I have never heard it mentioned once. This power is basically the psionic foresight.

Before anyone takes any actions in any given battle, use the immediate action granted by this power to manifest synchronicity and you have a readied standard action which you can use to take any action before your turn begins. If you allow manifesting a swift action power as a standard action (which makes sense to me) then you can use temporal acceleration in response to any action anyone takes before anyone gets the chance to take any actions in any given battle (unless they have foresight and use an immediate action).

Very nasty shit.

KellKheraptis

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 2668
  • What's the matter? I thought you had me...
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #37 on: December 28, 2009, 03:02:44 AM »
As for psionics...

I think the power Sense Danger (Psion 3/Psy Warr 2; Magic of Eberron) is highly overlooked...I have never heard it mentioned once. This power is basically the psionic foresight.

Before anyone takes any actions in any given battle, use the immediate action granted by this power to manifest synchronicity and you have a readied standard action which you can use to take any action before your turn begins. If you allow manifesting a swift action power as a standard action (which makes sense to me) then you can use temporal acceleration in response to any action anyone takes before anyone gets the chance to take any actions in any given battle (unless they have foresight and use an immediate action).

Very nasty shit.


One more reason Batman has contingencies just for psionics :P
BG's Resident Black Hatter
The Mango List Reborn!
My Warmage Trickery (coming soon!)
My PrC Pally Trickery (coming soon!)
The D&D Archive
-Work in progress!

TheEndIsNear

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 371
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #38 on: December 28, 2009, 03:13:51 AM »
I really like lightning leap.  Does decent electricity damage (15d6 cap), transmutation school, and teleports you a decent distance.  Best use, though, is with sculpt spell.

Overall, I'd say it's my favorite mid-level spell.

There was a build with that, the deadly traveler, but I don't get it...

I'd rather use explosive spell and blast of born thunder(I think) w/e is was.

Could you explain?

Azrael

  • Bi-Curious George
  • ****
  • Posts: 434
    • Email
Re: Spells that deserve more attention!
« Reply #39 on: December 28, 2009, 03:34:28 AM »
One more reason Batman has contingencies just for psionics :P

Craft Contingent Spell is your favorite feat isn't it.