Versatile Weapon Spell

Hi everybody !!!

I have a little doubt about the Versatile Weapon Spell in the Advanced Player's Handbook.

The spell description says that it works like greater magic weapon only that the weapon affected can bypass DR.
But, that weapon, also gain the enhancement bonuses from greater magic weapon?
I noted that the spell duration is reduced from 1 hour/level to 1 min /level so I think that you got also the bonuses, but I would like new points of view.

Thank you,and greetings from Spain

This spell functions like greater magic weapon, except that it subtly alters the physical properties of a weapon, enabling it to bypass damage reduction

If it works like greater magic weapon then you get the enhancement bonus as well. That seems like a lot for a second level spell, even if the duration requires the party to organise to cast it at the beginning of a combat, but I can see why the designers placed the supposed primary effect (bypassing DR) at 2nd level.

APG wrote:

This spell functions like greater magic weapon, except that it subtly alters the physical properties of a weapon, enabling it to bypass damage reduction

If it works like greater magic weapon then you get the enhancement bonus as well. That seems like a lot for a second level spell, even if the duration requires the party to organise to cast it at the beginning of a combat, but I can see why the designers placed the supposed primary effect (bypassing DR) at 2nd level.

It is only second level for bard or rangers, it's third for the sorc/wiz classes, the same as Greater Magic Weapon spell. Basically you're trading duration for on demand DR capabilities.

This spell functions like greater magic weapon, except that it subtly alters the physical properties of a weapon, enabling it to bypass damage reduction

Yes I thought that too, but after a few moments, I realized that it was a very good spell only trading duration.

My points was:

a) In the Spell Index, the spell description doesn't say anything about bonuses, only DR bypass.

b) Bards don't have access to magic weapon spell nor greater magic weapon spell. So I found difficult that if they can't choose that spell they could got this one that seems a lot better.

So. More opinions?

APG wrote:

This spell functions like greater magic weapon, except that it subtly alters the physical properties of a weapon, enabling it to bypass damage reduction

Yes I thought that too, but after a few moments, I realized that it was a very good spell only trading duration.

My points was:

a) In the Spell Index, the spell description doesn't say anything about bonuses, only DR bypass.

b) Bards don't have access to magic weapon spell nor greater magic weapon spell. So I found difficult that if they can't choose that spell they could got this one that seems a lot better.

So. More opinions?

Depends on the definition and use, some encounters won't chain together so the spell is in effect for long enough to use for one encounter only as minutes per level. If you spend time after the encounter to loot and search a room, your duration is probably about to drop off at that point at the early/mid levels. The other version is hours so it is a safe bet it will be around for multiple encounters, that is a big difference.

a) The spell references Greater Magic Weapon so it does say something about bonuses, it just modifies the DR portion of the spell referenced.

b) The other side of that is, classes who have Greater Magic weapon (besides the sorc/wiz) DON'T get this spell. Spells that are more flavorful/geared toward an aspect in the game designers view, are being placed where they are appropriate (bard and ranger in this example) for that flavor/aspect.