I don’t see it for now, so just so it gets mentioned. We bumped it to 2nd level and I still feel it’s a very strong spell.
Two reasons I feel it should be checked out: Bards could now cast it at first level and it can compete with 2nd level bard spells: Daze Monsters and Hold Person.
Maybe it should be 2nd level for bards and be “language dependent”, being joke based?
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I don’t see it for now, so just so it gets mentioned. We bumped it to 2nd level and I still feel it’s a very strong spell.
Two reasons I feel it should be checked out: Bards could now cast it at first level and it can compete with 2nd level bard spells: Daze Monsters and Hold Person.
Maybe it should be 2nd level for bards and be “language dependent”, being joke based?
I always thought it would be better if the target suddenly burst into song and dance like in that episode of Buffy. :)
Seriously, that does seem a bit off. Mayber bard spellcasting should be put back to the old progression (except cantrips) or the spell list should get a looking at.
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I don’t see it for now, so just so it gets mentioned. We bumped it to 2nd level and I still feel it’s a very strong spell.
Two reasons I feel it should be checked out: Bards could now cast it at first level and it can compete with 2nd level bard spells: Daze Monsters and Hold Person.
Maybe it should be 2nd level for bards and be “language dependent”, being joke based?
Bards get most (not all) Ench spells one level lower than Sor/Wiz. Not sure if this is to make up for their slower progression or because they're just better at Ench.
Hideous Laughter is softer control than Hold Person, because the target is not helpless. If you kick it up a level, you should remove the +4 saving throw bonus if the target is a different base type than the caster.
I think it is fairly as good as hold person.
On the down side: short range, victim isn't helpless.
On the plus side: The victim doesn't get to retry his will save as in hold person.
I think this makes hideous laughter if not better, then equal to hold person. It is the kind of spell you like to use even when you are high level.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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I also have always thought that this spell is too good, especially for bards getting it at level 1.
As mentioned, it's basically a save or die spell, since there are very few opponents that can't be killed outright in a few rounds when they can't attack, move, use abilities, etc. It's worse than the nauseated condition - that at least allows movement so the target can run away.
Spell in question:
Hideous Laughte r
School enchantment (compulsion) [mind-affecting]; Level bard 1,
sorcerer/wizard 2
casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (tiny fruit tarts and a feather)
efect
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature; see text
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
description
This spell afflicts the subject with uncontrollable laughter. It collapses into gales of manic laughter, falling prone. The subject can take no actions while laughing, but is not considered helpless. After the spell ends, it can act normally. A creature with an Intelligence score of 2 or lower is not affected. A creature whose type is different from the caster’s receives a +4 bonus on its saving throw, because humor doesn’t “translate” well.
Well the DC is lower for the bard than a sorcerer or wizard, it's only going to last 1 round per level and the target isn't helpless. Considering a + 4 bonus for all monsters and most non monster opponents is a +20% to not be affected, I'm going to say the spell is right where it needs to be.
I think it is fairly as good as hold person.
On the down side: short range, victim isn't helpless.
On the plus side: The victim doesn't get to retry his will save as in hold person.
I think this makes hideous laughter if not better, then equal to hold person. It is the kind of spell you like to use even when you are high level.
Add to the plus side the fact that the victim is prone and level 1 makes it very cheap for item creation. Also the no-retry on save makes it a more dependable option.
It does compare to Hold Person (bard 2) but not to Daze Monster (also bard 2) but it is Bard 1. I see the DC being one lower and the range being short but it realy is better than any other bard 1 spells and better than some bard 2, IMO.
Now, if it had a Rubber Chicken or Steve-Martin's Arrow as a Focus component that would balance it out with the pure shame of having to carry it around ;)
I'd like to add 'Language Dependant' to the spell. After all, forget humor 'not translating well' (the reason for that +4 bonus), if you don't speak the language, you just won't hear the joke.
I'd like to add 'Language Dependant' to the spell. After all, forget humor 'not translating well' (the reason for that +4 bonus), if you don't speak the language, you just won't hear the joke.
Why language dependant? There are a lot of slap-stick routines that need no language to understand.
Why language dependant? There are a lot of slap-stick routines that need no language to understand.
Good point. Perhaps add another save bonus for a language barrier?
Good point. Perhaps add another save bonus for a language barrier?
I think that a +2 save bonus to represent a language barrier would be appropriate.