When choosing a spell to cast it’s always good to know what it can do (a given). But when the spell offers scads of choices or effects it can be difficult to ‘know’ just how versatile it is.
For example: Alter Self. It can give you an amazing array of abilities depending on the humanoid creature (if you are a humanoid) you are altering into. Until I sat down with the Monster Manual and made a spreadsheet of the different options available from the different humanoids I can alter into I had no idea of the versatility of this spell!
I have had much the same experience with “Summon Monster”, as you have to have the patience to write out all of the various summoned monsters stats so you can see what the differences are and have them available to speed up game play. (And for both of these you have to have full access to a Monster Manual! not just the PHB)
I found these out via playing a character. Now while DM’ing, I’m finding it a huge task to try to 'know' all of the spells as well as the NPC’s are supposed to know theirs. Especially when to prepare for the session there is a heap of homework to be done like with “Alter Self” and “Summon Monster”.
My questions are:
Does anyone have suggestions of other spells that are incredibly useful, but inherently difficult to prepare for?
Are there spreadsheets already out there detailing all of this information!? Like an “Alter Self Options (Humanoids)” sheet, or “Summon Monster Stat Blocks” List?
If not, I’m willing to post them when I have the time to refine the scribblings I currently have, I would just really rather take advantage of someone else’s hard work! (And hear of any other spells that have buried advantages).
Oh yeah, and wouldn't this also be a nice subject for an article to see in either Dungeon or Dragon? - hint ;)
One Word - Polymorph.
If you think Alter Self allows for alot of permutations wait until you try and map out all the various creatues, the attacks, stat increases and (Ex) abilities to determine what creature would work best in any situation.
If you look on the Wotc boards, especially for the Shifter PrC you can find detailed lists of monsters and their advantages for use.