My wizard player has decided to go for the "Wizard King" Prestige class from Legends and Lairs - Path of Magic. Part of the requirement to obtain the class is that you create 5 new spells all "themed" together and bearing the wizards name. He hit me with his first two spells this week and I am having mixed feelings about them.
Check it out:
Lesser Spell Ward [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personel
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
Save: None
Spell Resistance: No
Spells cast at the wizard are absorbed + consumed. Affects a total of four (4) spell levels. This includes effects generated by spell items and spell-like abilities. Excludes area of effect spells centered on the wizard and stationary area spells such as stinking cloud.
Only affects up to 4th level spells. If not enough levels remain to absorb a spell, the ward dissipates and the spell is unaffected. This spell cannot be dispelled by Dispel Magic, nor countered in any way other than by the Shield Strike spell.
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Shield Strike [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V,S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: Single
Duration: Instantaneous
Save: None
Spell Resistance: No
Dispels all spell protections of 4th level or lower. Includes Lesser Globe of Invulnerability, Lesser Spell Ward, and Shield.
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I would love to hear peoples opinions on these. My initial reaction was a knee jerk "No!" when I saw that the first spell could ONLY be counterd by the second (which only the player will have access to), but maybe some one else will feel differently.
When I asked the player "why do you want to make these spells?". The answer I got was "I want to see more battles where the two wizards have to strip down each others defenses before they get off the killing spell."
I like the idea of wizards striping defenses, however that only happens in campaigns where it is magic heavy without a lot of melee, otherwise the fighter kills you before you have your defenses stripped.
OK so there is a definate knee-jerk NO!
However....
Lesser Spell Ward
It is only 4 spell levels of 4th level or lower. What is the material component?
Suggestions:
1. Allow it to be dispelled by a targeted dispel magic and any other forth level or higher spells, such as Mordenkainen's Disjunction.
2. Effects only targeted spells
3. Make a moderately expensive material component e.g. 50gp quartz or jade
Shield Strike
I have no real problems with this spell, it is like a special case dispel magic.
If you wanted to depower it you could make it a touch attack or ranged touch or ray attack. I like the idea of a ray. Or have the caster make an opposed spell caster check.
Anyone else?
igi
I think for a lower level spell that a caster level check would be appropriate. About the first spell. Logically, it doesn't really make much sense to have a 3rd level spell that can counter essentially any 4th level spell or lower, and still potentially have something left over it it absorbes a 3rd level or less spell.
Another thing he may thing of creating is a spell that strips away the specific protection from a given spell until the end of the casters next round, giving the caster one shot at affecting him. Another thing could be a spell that specifically makes is more difficult for the casters enemy to resist one specific type of spell.
Just some thoughts.
Lesser spell ward => This isn't much different than a minor globe of invulnerabilty??? which is a 4th level spell. Basicly this spell is too powerful for a 3rd level spell and it isn't really that original either
Shield Strike => this differs from a targetted dispel magic how? Also it has no save against the effects.
NO is the proper response, it's back to the drawing board for this wizard. And some originality wouldn't hurt either.
OK, the above does sound a little harsh ;>
My biggest worry with these spells is the Huge can of worms that can be opened by saying to a player "OK, you can make a spell that no one else can dispel"
Once you do that, the whole mess starts to snowball rapidly.
Then it becomes "well, why can't this Lesser Spell WArd become Greater Spell Ward, and now I've got 15 to 20 levels of spell protection that no one can get rid of"