I was toying with the idea of giving the target of a spell +2 to his save if he was hit by the spell before in the same combat.
Example: Wizard cast Fireball, Orc gets hit with said Fireball, the Orc is still kicking, the Wizard cast Fireball again, the Orc get +2 to his reflex save, Orc is still living, Wizard cast Fireball again, the Orc get +4 to his reflex save etc.
I see it as an Oh SH-IT save, kind of like: “I really don’t want to get again with that for reflex” or “I took this once before I can do it again for fort” or “ok stay sharp just shake it of for will.”
This comes from, in my experience that magic users have a few key spells they break out in combat, and I’d like to see a wider array of spells used during combat. I’m hoping this will lead to more creative use of spells as well, instead of Fireball, Fireball, Fireball. I also don’t like I’m going to cast a save or die spell until it works because you either have very anticlimactic combat or a useless magic user. Ideas? Opinions?
Fizz
Well, I generally don't give out my opinion when it comes to things like this cuz, well, I'm shy and I hate being thought of as a dork.(even though I readily admit that I am)it's the whole best keep your mouth shut and be thought a dork, then open your mouth and prove it kinda thing.
That said, I can understand your frustration with a wizard's lack of imagination. I have been lucky enough to play my mage with a DM who puts me through the ringer, it has made me very versatile.
The +2 on reflex is a good idea, as reflex is how fast they can get out of the way, if they are tensed and ready for another blast then they should get a bonus, but not one that's upped every round.
Try throwing things at them that are immune to their favorite spells, constructs are always a good one to befuddle a mage, only certain spells work on them, and you gotta be savvy enough to figure it out.
I'm shy and I hate being thought of as a dork.(even though I readily admit that I am)
You gotta love being the dork, nerd, geek, or whatever you call yourself. I think all people should embrace their geeky side.
Anyway back to the actual posting, I like this idea. It makes sense, I mean if you just saw the Wizard casting a fireball in your direction and you see it again, you know what's about to happen, you should get a bonus. However, this is a bit unfair against the average blasting sorcerer...but I suppose even they could mix up their blasty spells. I might actually try that out for a game or two in my campaign...one thing though, who does it hurt more, the PCs or the NPCs/Monsters? It might depend upon your group though, if your mainly composed of casters then this could be a problem. However if they switch up their spells it shouldn't be as bad... even my sorcerer(Blasty one at that) switches his spells up.
Do you think they would get this bonus if something like this happens...
Example:
Turn I: Wizard casts fireball, opponent makes save and lives.
Turn II: Wizard casts lightning bolt, opponent makes save and lives.
Turn III: Wizard casts fireball, opponent gets a +2 bonus?
Basically, would the person retain the +2 bonus to the next fireball if the wizard casts another spell in between it? Because if that is the case then that's good and what'not.
Also, would an undead or some other mindless creature gain a +2 and so on bonus to saves. It can't think, so it can't really know what's coming, or even if it can, it can't fortify its self by reasuring that it can do it, this may or may not apply to reflex or fort though, but giving this bonus to a mindless creature trying to make a will save...I don't think that would make too much sense as far as practical things go. In the end who or what really gets the bonuses should be up to the DM-if they even choose to use this-but what do you guys think should happen? I think undead wouldn't get any of these bonuses, and mindless creatures like oozes would only get it to Fort...maybe reflex-but not will.
So...uh...what does everyone else think?
Sir Smashes Alot
While it may sound great, I personally would not implement this idea, mainly because it creates more record keeping. I'd prefer to see more original spells in the game to induce more variety, rather than more rules.
Without touching upon realism, or sense, I have to say I don't like it.
I do understand your point, but are you also going to give the baddies that get hit by the axe of the Dwarf an increase in AC each time? Maybe a slowly increasing DR that is defeated by the other two (usually) damage types to encourage more imagination in your warrior types?
While magic does tend to rule the battlefield, if you are going to make it more difficult for the mages, you should do it for all the other classes as well.
While it may sound great, I personally would not implement this idea, mainly because it creates more record keeping. I'd prefer to see more original spells in the game to induce more variety, rather than more rules.
1. When TS says he doesn't like an optional rule, LISTEN!
2. I consider myself a geek, thank you very much, and reject all accusations of nerdiness.
3. TBack to the OP, the proposed rule is more cumbersome than anything else. As the numerous questions brought up Sir Smashes Alot demonstrate (seemingly unententionally on his part), this requires numerous sub-clauses to fairly address all likely situations. You're grinding down the game's flow and pace for what is truly a trivial point (as Disenchanter says, why not get bonuses against the next melee swing after you've been hit, too?)
As far as describing it... well, that's just it. Such a thing as you seem to be considering is best left to the realm of DM description, not some unneccessary mechanic. Orc makes his save against the fireball? He really doesn't want to go through that again. Or whatever. A lot of things that don't seem to make sense and call for a new mechanic at first glance can really be addressed with existing traditions of descriptions, rather than adding actual house rules (which I tend to disfavor overall).
IMO the said orc would get a -2 reflex if you were going by the moral of being hit by a fireball. Think about it: "Aw crap, I was just hit by an exploding ball of fire, my skin is burnt and broken and I'm in excruciating pain." It would give him a reason to try and get out of another one but is he able to after getting a direct hit? Im just saying a fireball would be kinda stunning.