So I was expanding the Abjurant Halls of Envy from the Runeforge in Rise of the Runelords and I got to thinking about what abjuration is. From all my readings it seems that the school is about creating a magical effect to protect you from harm, mostly magical harm. This manifests itself with Dispel Magic, Prismatic Wall, Covetous Aura, Resist Energy, Shield, etc.
However, there are many spells that accomplish the same effect that are in other schools. Wall of Force, Mage Armor, Wall of Ice, Cushioning Bands, etc. Why is Wall of Force not in abjuration while Prismatic Sphere is? Why is Resist Energy not a transmutation spell? What is the criteria for classifying a spell as abjuration?
It is for this reason that I believe we need to rethink abjuration. Getting rid of it entirely would make a lot of good spell "homeless", so that's not a good option. The idea struck me when I was checking out the new Magic: the Gathering set: make abjuration magic spells that effect magic.
Abjuration should about effecting the spells of others. Countering and dispelling are abjuration, certainly, but so is Covetous Aura. New abjuration spells could make buffs not as powerful, redirect spells, copy spells, change magic into other kinds of magic, and all sorts of stuff. Spells like Prismatic Wall and Shield could still be included because they create a static magical energy, as opposed to Magic Missile which creates an active, temporary magical energy.
What do you think? Does this sound like a good idea? Do you like abjuration the way it is? What ideas do you have about abjuration? Have I gone utterly mad?
Stuff like spellblights fit into this model of abjuration very well too. I would also like it better if there were lesser versions of Dispel Magic that only worked on certain schools, like Dispel Necromancy or Dispel Illusion. Dispel Magic is a great spell, but I think there should be "cheaper" ways of doing it. And yes, I do think its a bit like the original M:tG Counterspell card.
And yes, I do think its a bit like the original M:tG Counterspell card.
I've long thought counterspell should have been a universalist spell that scales with level (counterspell I, counterspell II, etc.).
I see dispel magic as a spell that ends an ongoing spell and counterspell as a spell that just floods the target with raw, unfocused magic that disrupts a spell in the making.
And yes, I do think its a bit like the original M:tG Counterspell card.I've long thought counterspell should have been a universalist spell that scales with level (counterspell I, counterspell II, etc.).
I see dispel magic as a spell that ends an ongoing spell and counterspell as a spell that just floods the target with raw, unfocused magic that disrupts a spell in the making.
That makes a good deal of sense and it could certainly work in this model.
Abjuration has always seemed to be "metamagic" to me. It's magic that acts upon magic, and with some bits of protection thrown in.
I've long thought that Abjuration should just be removed and that all of the Abjuration spells should be skill tricks of Knowledge (Arcane).
I could see that working for counter/dispelling, maybe Knowledge: Planes for banishing outsiders too. Some of the stuff, like Shield, Prismatic Wall, Covetous Aura, don't quite fit into this classification.
I've long thought that Abjuration should just be removed and that all of the Abjuration spells should be skill tricks of Knowledge (Arcane).
This brings to mind images/scenarios of 'solving' an ongoing spell as if it were a kind of puzzle.
On a slightly related note: there should be Force school that covers restricting certain spaces and untyped damage occurring from 'thrown joules'.
Abjuration has always seemed to be "metamagic" to me. It's magic that acts upon magic, and with some bits of protection thrown in.
That's exactly my point, it needs to be fleshed out better than just "defensive magic, except some of the walls". Metamagic feats should remain the same, but I think it would be cool to have a spell that applied the effects of a metamagic feat to someone else's spell. Your sorcerer just through out a Scorching Ray? As a readied action, why not make it a Bouncing Scorching Ray?
I've long thought that Abjuration should just be removed and that all of the Abjuration spells should be skill tricks of Knowledge (Arcane).This brings to mind images/scenarios of 'solving' an ongoing spell as if it were a kind of puzzle.
On a slightly related note: there should be Force school that covers restricting certain spaces and untyped damage occurring from 'thrown joules'.
Isn't Force a subtype of Abjuration?
Also, though completely and totally non-canon to Pathfinder, I find myself somewhat fond of the spell typing breakdowns in FantasyCraft for the simple fact that subtypes for spells help solve a good amount of the 'what goes where' categorization.
But seriously, not to be a cross-company shill, I just like both.