RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16
aka Cruiser1
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Blindspot Orb
This fist sized hollow crystal sphere contains a second small sphere inside of it, which rattles around when shaken. You can activate a blindspot orb up to three times per day as an immediate action to prevent an area affect spell or spell-like ability from affecting the squares you're in. That spell's area is considered to not include your squares in the first place. You can use this ability on spells you cast as well as those cast by others. Activation only affects the initial casting area of the spell, where you can still be affected by that spell if you move into it before its duration expires, or if the spell's area later moves so that active parts of it touch you. A blindspot orb has no effect against targeted spells, rays, touch attacks, or supernatural abilities such as breath weapons.
Lore: An elven wizard named Cypus Poundrum, after finishing second place in an arcane duel competition due to an area effect spell cast by his opponent, crafted the first blindspot orb, which enabled him to win the next year.
Moderate abjuration; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, lesser globe of invulnerability; Price 60,000 gp; Weight 2 lb.
Now that is a superstar item. Totally unique. Great mechanic. A truly wondrous item. Very good writing--all except for that last bit of fluff which I totally HATE. This would be a near perfect entry if it werent for that lame fluff. Why cant people resist that?
Despite that key weakness, which drags the item down, this is a HUGE keeper.
Kept.
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Now that is a superstar item. Totally unique. Great mechanic. A truly wondrous item. Very good writing--all except for that last bit of fluff which I totally HATE. This would be a near perfect entry if it werent for that lame fluff. Why cant people resist that?
Despite that key weakness, which drags the item down, this is a HUGE keeper.
People can't resist it because there's a measure of ego-inflation in the idea of getting your character a measure of fame by having it printed.
Blame Gygax and company. ;) Their characters started it.
I love trump cards like this: "Sock it to me," you say to the Big Bad Sorcerer. He unleashes a fireball. You unleash a laugh in his face!
I like it because it's also great for Fighters/Barbarians whose associated mage can't aim (or whose DM rules that precision bombing with Fireball doesn't work.) They can charge into Melee, then have the wizard blow up the world.
I agree with the goods and bads posted except that the sentence that starts ", where you can still be affected..." was a bit clunky for me. I understood it the second time. It just wasn't the standard way that this type of idea is usually handled in other books.
I like it because it's also great for Fighters/Barbarians whose associated mage can't aim (or whose DM rules that precision bombing with Fireball doesn't work.) They can charge into Melee, then have the wizard blow up the world.
I'd use that tactic on purpose, stupid wizard or not. Really cool item.
It bugs me that it's written in 2nd person though. Aren't all the SRD items in 3rd person?
Congratulations Walter and good luck in the next rounds. Nice utility item looking forward to seeing your country.
total keeper. I agree that the last bit of fluff was completely unncessary, but still.
I was just talking to one of my newer players about how destructive a wizard can get at higher levels. This is the best solution I've seen for that thus far.
I love it.
Creates nice tactical dynamics, that alone is worth a keeper.
The only concern I have about it is that it is directly related to the Shape Spell ability of an Archmage. This item does have limitations, but with it being so similar, I could see a lot of room for abuse at lower levels.
I like the concept. I think it's an imaginative, useful item, and something that I would want for a PC.
I think the word-choice is lacking. It doesn't affect "the squares you're in" ... "considered to not include your squares in the first place" ... "where you can still be affected by that spell if you move into it before its duration expires" and so forth. I realize there could be an element of stylistic preference here, but in my opinion, for someone to be a Superstar, they need to have language skills that this entry seems to lack.
Even so, I see why this one could make the final cut - creative ideas that grab the reader's attention are worth a lot more than perfect sentence structure. (So, I'm sorry for the negativism, and congrats on making it into the top 32!)
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16
aka Cruiser1
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About my item's Lore, note many items in the Magic Item Compendium are worded similarly. For example, the Mantle of Second Chances finishes with text along the lines of, "Lore: A human bard named Evla, who had a knack for getting herself into tight situations, designed the original mantle of second chances." However, since the judges were looking for SRD formatted wondrous items, none of which have lore, it indeed would have been better to just leave out altogether.
People can't resist it because there's a measure of ego-inflation in the idea of getting your character a measure of fame by having it printed. Blame Gygax and company. ;) Their characters started it.
Ha ha, guilty as charged! What can I say, I'm old school and appreciate D&D's founders. ;) Note the lore was also intended as a bit of subtle humor, namely that if my item wasn't accepted this time, then I would be back next year with a better one. :)
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16
aka Cruiser1
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It bugs me that it's written in 2nd person though. Aren't all the SRD items in 3rd person?
The SRD wondrous item Bead of Force is written in 2nd person. However you are indeed right that most items are in 3rd person.
the sentence that starts ", where you can still be affected..." was a bit clunky for me.
I used passive voice, where the active voice is generally preferred in writing. The text "you can still be affected by that spell if you move into it before its duration expires" would probably have been better worded as "the spell affects one if they move into it before its duration expires". My excuse: This is an abjuration item, where abjurers are the gentlest of the casters. ;)
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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I like the item, but it seems a bit pricey to me. For 25,000 you can get a ring of evasion which is always on and lets you often avoid the effects of area of effect spells (and also supernatural abilities such as breath weapons). By the time you can afford a 60,000 item you'll have your ring of evasion and a decent reflex save to go with it. I'd lower the cost to 20,000 or so.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16
aka Cruiser1
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I like the item, but it seems a bit pricey to me. For 25,000 you can get a ring of evasion which is always on and lets you often avoid the effects of area of effect spells (and also supernatural abilities such as breath weapons).
Note the Blindspot Orb is unslotted, which doubles the price. You can always make use of an Orb (even multiple Orbs) but a Ring of Evasion is only useful if you have a free ring slot. One of the main benefits of the Orb is it works against all area effect spells, even the dangerous ones with no save.
The only concern I have about it is that it is directly related to the Shape Spell ability of an Archmage. This item does have limitations, but with it being so similar, I could see a lot of room for abuse at lower levels.
Indeed, this is a one-shot limited form of the Archmage's Shape Spell ability. Note the Orb was originally inspired by the level 7 spell spell turning, which protects you against targeted spells, but not area effects. (Hence I considered an option to protect against area effects, but not targeted effects.) Concerning potential abuse, if you have a free 60,000 gold to spend at lower levels, I think there are much more effective ways to powergame your character.
This is a cool item. Different and very useful, especially if the PC's arch-nemisis is an area-effect happy spellcaster. ;-)
I know this is somewhere in my top 10 or so. Unfortunately, after reviwing 30 of the 32 I've kinda lost track of what I'd place where in my personal ranking list so I can't be more specific than that. :-P When I am finally done I'll have go back over the items I particularly like and figure out the final order.
:-j(enni)
I know this is somewhere in my top 10 or so.
Not quite top 10, but ver-r-r-ry close - this just barely missed that distinction. It's still one of the items on my "personal favourites" list which only has 14 items on it and puts it in very good company.
So Walter, If you want put the rest of them to shame do your best to blow me away with your country submission!
:-j(enni)
Awesome item. The lore kinda reminds me of Something out of Harry Potter. It's cheesy and out of place in the item description, but makes for a nice in-game tidbit.
Chad
I think I want to use this item on the red dragon my group is getting ready to wack :)
I think I want to use this item on the red dragon my group is getting ready to wack :)
A blindspot orb has no effect against targeted spells, rays, touch attacks, or supernatural abilities such as breath weapons.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16
aka Cruiser1
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I think I want to use this item on the red dragon my group is getting ready to wack :)
The Orb indeed isn't as useful for players attacking a Red Dragon, since as mentioned it doesn't protect against breath weapons. However it would be an interesting item for the Dragon itself to carry as defense against the players' attacks. I've always thought Dragons should make better use of the items in their hoard, just as players tend to carry most of their wealth on their backs as equipment.