RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I'm working on a dozen new spells based on a rejected proposal to KQ from last year. I've a little more idea of what I want, so I wanted to post the two cantrips and see if anyone wanted to see the other spells. Once I figure out google docs, I'll put the finished product in a PDF and put it out there.
I don't think this counts as 'products from other publishers' since I'm making freebies.
Ball Spark
School Evocation [Lightning]; Level sorcerer/wizard 0
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft/level)
Effect One sphere of light
Duration 1 minute (D) or until discharged
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You call into existence a faintly humming, glowing sphere of light (resembling a will-o’-wisp), which smells faintly of ozone. The sphere follows all the rules for moving dancing lights including range and speed.
In addition, the ball spark can be used to make a ranged touch attack on a target, inflicting one point of electrical damage. Using the ball spark this way immediately ends the spell. You may have up to four ball sparks active at any time.
Watergout
School Conjuration (creation) [water]; Level sorcerer/wizard 0
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range Close (25 ft. + 5 ft /2 levels)
Effect One jet of water
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw reflex negates; Spell Resistance no
A small jet of water is created, erupting from your hand. On a successful ranged touch attack, the target, up to large sized, is blinded for one round. Creatures with the fire type take one point of damage. The water dissipates after one round.
Why would a caster take Dancing Lights instead of Ball Spark?
Waterspout seems way overpowered. I'd give them a save to avoid being blinded, or else the wizard can effectively lock down an enemy with blindness.
Compare Waterspout with Daze: Will negates, severely limited target (Humanoid with 4HD or less), and immune for 1 minute if the spell succeeds. I think Waterspout needs to be more restricted to be fair; as is, it seems closer to a first or second level spell.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Why would a caster take Dancing Lights instead of Ball Spark?
Waterspout seems way overpowered. I'd give them a save to avoid being blinded, or else the wizard can effectively lock down an enemy with blindness.
Compare Waterspout with Daze: Will negates, severely limited target (Humanoid with 4HD or less), and immune for 1 minute if the spell succeeds. I think Waterspout needs to be more restricted to be fair; as is, it seems closer to a first or second level spell.
Nods, I thought about a ranged touch and a save both, but thought that might make it too weak. It's size limited, daze (and flare) don't require a touch or ranged touch attack.
As to Ball Spark vs Dancing lights, Dancing Lights is more versatile. It can do multiple forms (torches, balls, or one humanoid form) and can be made permanent. Sure it doesn't detonate like ball spark, but it has other uses.
I like these ideas and would like to see more. Waterspout is way to good for what amounts to a super-soaker. A Reflex save at least to be blinded; or a good no save alternative is to count the target as dazzled. It is an at-will power after all.
Not sure how you use the electric balls. Move actions? Standard actions? Can't remember if it's explained in the rules.
If Watergout was a 0th level spell, I'd never use anything else to attack. An at-will blinder?
Comparing it to Daze is a good idea - remember that size limit is built-in to Daze (few to no humanoids of 4 HD or less are bigger than Large). It doesn't limit actions quite as much as Daze, but lowers defenses much more. Same range, a roughly equal saving throw (will vs. reflex, fort is more common). Essentially same HD limit. No limit on creature type. No limit on effecting more than 1/minute. And minor damage to a rather common subtype.