Perhaps we could assemble a list of spells / items that might need revision? I propose keeping it short and free of discussion; if there's a topic worth discussing, a new thread should be opened for that.
Planar Binding (+variants)
Possible problems:
- HD =/= CR =/= usefulness (e. g. Lantern Archon, Efreet)
- abuse of templates (summon a half-fiend-half-dragon-paragon ogre)
- body source for undead creation (animate aforementioned ogre)
Possible fixes:
- limit to CR
- only creatures from Summon Monster can be called
- make Binding a variant use of Summon Monster (calling for 24 h instead of summoning for some rounds)
- costly material component
[b]Planar Ally (+variants)[b]
- pretty much as Planar Binding
[b]Animate Dead / Necromancy[b]
Possible problems:
- Limitation to HD has little relation to usefulness of Undead (e. g.: Necromancer 5 animates Pit Fiend Skeleton)
- High-level necromancers have little use for Skeletons/Zombies and no practical mean of controlling other undead
Possible fix:
- give Skeleton/Zombie template non-fixes CRs, then tie limits of Animate Dead to CR
- make undead created with Create (Greater) Undead fall under the animation control limit
- limit HD of creatable undead to Caster Level for skeletons, Caster Level x 2 for zombies; remove limit of 20 HD for skeletons/zombies
[b]Rope Trick[b]
Possible problems:
- very powerful for 2nd level spell (compare to Leomund's huts)
Possible fix:
- reduce duration to 10 min./level
- raise to level 5
- costly material component or focus
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[b]Animated Shield[b]
Possible problems:
- screws balance between one- and two-handed weapons/two-weapon-fighting
Possible fix:
- remove item
[b]Bag of Holding & Teleport[b]
Possible problems:
- Bag of Holding can be used to practically increase capacity of Teleport spells (army climbs into bag, wizard takes bag, teleports, army climbs out of bag)
Possible fix:
- Creatures cannot enter Bag of Holding
- Teleport limit counts creatures inside carried equipment
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That's all from me for now. What can you think of?