Author Topic: Any way to reduce spell levels?  (Read 3241 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Amechra

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2328
  • Thread Necromancy a Specialty
Any way to reduce spell levels?
« on: April 11, 2010, 07:21:08 PM »
Is there any way to reduce the level of a spell, i.e. through metamagic?
[spoiler]Fighter: "I can kill a guy in one turn."
Cleric: "I can kill a guy in half a turn."
Wizard: "I can kill a guy before my turn."
Bard: "I can get three idiots to kill guys for me."

On a strange note, would anyone be put out if we had a post about people or events we can spare a thought for, or if its within their creed, a prayer for? Just a random thought, but ... hells I wouldn't have known about either Archangels daughter or Saeomons niece if I didn't happen to be on these threads.
Sounds fine to me.
probably over on "Off-topic".
might want to put a little disclaimer in the first post.

This is the Min/Max board. We should be able to figure out a way to optimize the POWER OF PRAYER(TM) that doesn't involve "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu".
[/spoiler]

My final project for my film independent study course. It could do with a watching and critiquing

Solo

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 2684
  • Solo the Sorcelator, at your service
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2010, 07:47:51 PM »
Sanctum Spell

"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down!"

The Legend RPG, which I worked on and encourage you to read.

Amechra

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2328
  • Thread Necromancy a Specialty
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2010, 09:04:08 PM »
Never thought of using it that way. Thanks. Are there any other ways? I'm trying to see if I can make a fell-draining magic missile still be level one, and Sanctum Spell only drops it one level...

I'm also aware of metanode, but my DM won't allow it.
[spoiler]Fighter: "I can kill a guy in one turn."
Cleric: "I can kill a guy in half a turn."
Wizard: "I can kill a guy before my turn."
Bard: "I can get three idiots to kill guys for me."

On a strange note, would anyone be put out if we had a post about people or events we can spare a thought for, or if its within their creed, a prayer for? Just a random thought, but ... hells I wouldn't have known about either Archangels daughter or Saeomons niece if I didn't happen to be on these threads.
Sounds fine to me.
probably over on "Off-topic".
might want to put a little disclaimer in the first post.

This is the Min/Max board. We should be able to figure out a way to optimize the POWER OF PRAYER(TM) that doesn't involve "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu".
[/spoiler]

My final project for my film independent study course. It could do with a watching and critiquing

PhaedrusXY

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 8022
  • Advanced Spambot
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2010, 11:48:21 PM »
Arcane Thesis, Metamagic School Focus, Divine Metamagic, others...
[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]

The_Mad_Linguist

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 8780
  • Simulated Thing
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2010, 04:08:46 AM »
Well, you can cheat a bit with versatile spellcaster.


Do you want to reduce the slot or the level?  There's a bit of a difference.
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.

Amechra

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2328
  • Thread Necromancy a Specialty
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2010, 06:34:31 PM »
Sorry, I meant to say lower the slot.

Also, can you be more specific when you say versatile spellcaster? I'm trying to see how soon I can use magic missile to kill a dragon :D, while the magic missile is still at level one. The best I've gotten it down to is a level 3 slot, but I can't seea way to go lower.

Also, what's the difference between slot and level? I know spell level determines spell resistance (I think), but aren't they the same otherwise?

[spoiler]Fighter: "I can kill a guy in one turn."
Cleric: "I can kill a guy in half a turn."
Wizard: "I can kill a guy before my turn."
Bard: "I can get three idiots to kill guys for me."

On a strange note, would anyone be put out if we had a post about people or events we can spare a thought for, or if its within their creed, a prayer for? Just a random thought, but ... hells I wouldn't have known about either Archangels daughter or Saeomons niece if I didn't happen to be on these threads.
Sounds fine to me.
probably over on "Off-topic".
might want to put a little disclaimer in the first post.

This is the Min/Max board. We should be able to figure out a way to optimize the POWER OF PRAYER(TM) that doesn't involve "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu".
[/spoiler]

My final project for my film independent study course. It could do with a watching and critiquing

JaronK

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 4039
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2010, 06:58:34 PM »
I believe fell drain only triggers once per round per enemy, so your individual magic missiles won't drain the dragon more than one level per round.

JaronK

Havok4

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2144
  • It can only be attributable to human error.
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2010, 07:15:02 PM »
I believe fell drain only triggers once per round per enemy, so your individual magic missiles won't drain the dragon more than one level per round.

JaronK

It just says that any creature damaged by the spell gains a negative level

PhaedrusXY

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 8022
  • Advanced Spambot
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2010, 07:26:57 PM »
Also, what's the difference between slot and level? I know spell level determines spell resistance (I think), but aren't they the same otherwise?
Ok... spell level has nothing at all to do with spell resistance, or beating it. That's caster level.

And slot is exactly what it says: the slot it takes up. For example, if you prepare an Empowered Magic Missile, it takes up a 3rd level slot. It is still a 1st level spell, however.
[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]

archangel.arcanis

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 2938
    • Email
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2010, 07:29:52 PM »
it becomes important for things like globe of invulnerability and spell turning.
Clerics and Druids are like the 4 and 2 in 42. Together they are the answer to the ultimate question in D&D.
Retire the character before the DM smacks you with the Table as the book will feel totally inadequate now.-Hazren

Amechra

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2328
  • Thread Necromancy a Specialty
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2010, 07:59:01 PM »
Thanks for the feedback.

What I'm trying for (in detail, this time), is a chained fell drain magic missile, cast at +6 caster level (Practiced Spellcaster and Arcane Thesis), that takes up the lowest spell slot possible. Any suggestions on other classes I can mix in? Currently, I only have access to the SRD, and so it won't help if you give me non-core classes.

To clear one more thing up: if I was to apply Shape Spell to a magic missile, would the entire Magic Missile be altered to fit the area, or would it be each missile? The rules seem a little ambiguous on this point.

This could be the start of something beautiful...

Edit: Almost forgot to post this; this is the tentative 1-20 build. My DM allows feat swaps, but only for your first class, and I'm playing human, so

1.   Wizard- replace Scribe Scroll with Arcane Thesis (Magic Missile), replace Familiar with Metamagic School Focus (Evocation), Practiced Spellcaster, Fell Drain
2.   Wizard
3.   Cleric- Divine Metamagic
4.   Wizard
5.   Wizard
6.   Wizard- Chain Spell, Spell Mastery
7.   Wizard
8.   Wizard
9.   Wizard- Extra Turning
10.   Wizard
11.   Wizard- Magic of the Land
12.   Wizard- Versatile Spellcaster
13.   Cleric
14.   Wizard
15.   Cleric- Residual Magic
16.   Wizard
17.   Wizard
18.   Wizard- Fortify Spell, Quicken Spell
19.   Wizard
20.   Wizard

He can strike out with a four-missile fell-draining magic missile at level one. Cleric was added because it allows
turning; I took 3 levels so that I can pick up the slack from our party's cleric, who sometimes forgets she can cast spells :banghead. Sorry about the digression. The Chain Spell is for making small armies cry; 5 missiles ricocheting 12 times each, draining a level each hit? That can't miss? Thanks for your time.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2010, 01:52:11 AM by Amechra »
[spoiler]Fighter: "I can kill a guy in one turn."
Cleric: "I can kill a guy in half a turn."
Wizard: "I can kill a guy before my turn."
Bard: "I can get three idiots to kill guys for me."

On a strange note, would anyone be put out if we had a post about people or events we can spare a thought for, or if its within their creed, a prayer for? Just a random thought, but ... hells I wouldn't have known about either Archangels daughter or Saeomons niece if I didn't happen to be on these threads.
Sounds fine to me.
probably over on "Off-topic".
might want to put a little disclaimer in the first post.

This is the Min/Max board. We should be able to figure out a way to optimize the POWER OF PRAYER(TM) that doesn't involve "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu".
[/spoiler]

My final project for my film independent study course. It could do with a watching and critiquing

skydragonknight

  • Organ Grinder
  • *****
  • Posts: 3297
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2010, 05:37:46 PM »
Is this just a thought exercise? Force Missle Mage might be a good idea, especially if it's vs. a dragon, which might have energy vulnerability.
It always seems like the barrels around here have something in them.

Amechra

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2328
  • Thread Necromancy a Specialty
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2010, 11:51:08 PM »
It's a bit of a mental exercise; I would like to play a build like it, but I would obviously weaken it for actual play (Letting this kind of build loose in our party, who don't seem to grasp the concept of "teamwork" would be a very bad thing. Great leash on the other four members of the party.). This is just to get my inner munchkin out of the way. Now, care to explain, and perhaps indicate where I can find force missile mage. It would be greatly appreciated
[spoiler]Fighter: "I can kill a guy in one turn."
Cleric: "I can kill a guy in half a turn."
Wizard: "I can kill a guy before my turn."
Bard: "I can get three idiots to kill guys for me."

On a strange note, would anyone be put out if we had a post about people or events we can spare a thought for, or if its within their creed, a prayer for? Just a random thought, but ... hells I wouldn't have known about either Archangels daughter or Saeomons niece if I didn't happen to be on these threads.
Sounds fine to me.
probably over on "Off-topic".
might want to put a little disclaimer in the first post.

This is the Min/Max board. We should be able to figure out a way to optimize the POWER OF PRAYER(TM) that doesn't involve "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu".
[/spoiler]

My final project for my film independent study course. It could do with a watching and critiquing

Sohala

  • Hong Kong
  • ****
  • Posts: 1268
  • Hammer Smash Good
    • Email
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2010, 12:11:19 AM »
Metamagic Rods?
"You think I'm talking about breaking the rules?"
"No I'm just trying to figure out how far you want them bent."
[spoiler]
Characters
Ixen-Elemental Mage Test Game
Torgthen-The Darkening
Eldak-The Neverending Dungeon
Games
Dungeon Delver's Delight
Adventures in Eberron
Town of Terror
Working Progress
[3.5] Mana Mage

Amechra

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2328
  • Thread Necromancy a Specialty
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2010, 02:09:37 AM »
Sure, I might be able to find something on them online. The only problem is that I have access to core and free stuff, and that is all, beyond the core for 1st edition ad&d (useless), and a couple 4th edition books we happen to have for some reason. That is my woe :bigeye. Thank you anyway though.
[spoiler]Fighter: "I can kill a guy in one turn."
Cleric: "I can kill a guy in half a turn."
Wizard: "I can kill a guy before my turn."
Bard: "I can get three idiots to kill guys for me."

On a strange note, would anyone be put out if we had a post about people or events we can spare a thought for, or if its within their creed, a prayer for? Just a random thought, but ... hells I wouldn't have known about either Archangels daughter or Saeomons niece if I didn't happen to be on these threads.
Sounds fine to me.
probably over on "Off-topic".
might want to put a little disclaimer in the first post.

This is the Min/Max board. We should be able to figure out a way to optimize the POWER OF PRAYER(TM) that doesn't involve "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu".
[/spoiler]

My final project for my film independent study course. It could do with a watching and critiquing

nijineko

  • King Kong
  • ****
  • Posts: 887
  • two strange quarks short of a graviton...
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #15 on: April 14, 2010, 03:08:31 AM »
force missile mage is in dragon magazine... it might have made it into the dragon compendium volume one, but i don't recall for certain off hand.
arukibito ga michi wo erabu no ka, michi ga arukibito wo erabu no deshou ka?
Never game alone again!
KadoKado! Game for gifts!
The Ultimate Dice Rolling Engine

wotmaniac

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2207
  • Emperor's Enforcer
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #16 on: April 14, 2010, 06:47:04 AM »
force missile mage is in dragon magazine... it might have made it into the dragon compendium volume one, but i don't recall for certain off hand.
yes it did -- pg78

[spoiler]
If you stop ignoring 289 pages telling what the intent is to stretch "more power" in your own god complexion of your interpretation trumps all to cover ability adjustments from aging then I will ignore a quarter page of rules that exist within a sidebar.
I think in this case the grammar is less important than whether the Str and Dex bonus provided to your created undead scales.

Greenbound Summoning RAI
Expanded Gestalt
More Savage Progressions[/spoiler]
Report any wrongs I have done here.

Amechra

  • Man in Gorilla Suit
  • *****
  • Posts: 2328
  • Thread Necromancy a Specialty
Re: Any way to reduce spell levels?
« Reply #17 on: April 15, 2010, 05:44:56 PM »
Thanks I looked it up. Now, let me ask again; is there any way to get that build going faster?
[spoiler]Fighter: "I can kill a guy in one turn."
Cleric: "I can kill a guy in half a turn."
Wizard: "I can kill a guy before my turn."
Bard: "I can get three idiots to kill guys for me."

On a strange note, would anyone be put out if we had a post about people or events we can spare a thought for, or if its within their creed, a prayer for? Just a random thought, but ... hells I wouldn't have known about either Archangels daughter or Saeomons niece if I didn't happen to be on these threads.
Sounds fine to me.
probably over on "Off-topic".
might want to put a little disclaimer in the first post.

This is the Min/Max board. We should be able to figure out a way to optimize the POWER OF PRAYER(TM) that doesn't involve "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu".
[/spoiler]

My final project for my film independent study course. It could do with a watching and critiquing