Spells from APG / UM / UC / ARG that make you go mmmmm!

[Gorbacz]

OK folks, here's the deal. Between the "English as second language" problem and overall low level of system mastery, I often have to advise my players on feat/spell choices.

I am curious as to what Spells from APG/UM/UC/ARG make you go "ooooh shiny" or "mmmmm worth considering". I am looking for instant enemies and siroccos. Spells that are solid, good options to offer my players when they stop browsing the CRB (that we can handle) and ask me "Hey G-man, is there anything cool in those big books you got there?")

So fill me in on hidden gems, overlooked pretties and stuff you think that is worth remembering about next to color spray, dimension door, hold monster and heal.

[Jiggy]

Create pit and friends. One of the best parts of the APG, in my opinion.

[magnuskn]

Wait, you want to create pits under your friends? That ain't very friendly...

[Dal Selpher]

forbid action and/or forbid action, greater have proven to be delightfully fun when paired with polar midnight.

debilitating portent and jolting portent are also spells I highly recommend. The party I'm currently in I have these as an Oracle and there is a witch in the party who pops the baddies with misfortune on top of it. It is a deliciously fun combo and really locked down the GM.

[Corlindale]

I find Grace invaluable for divine casters, who have many touch range spells but are typically poor acrobats.

Many of the new Paladin spells in the APG are great. I particularly like Paladin's Sacrifice, which is both thematic and highly effective.

Ill Omen is extremely good for a 1st level spell and comboes well with any spell/power requiring a save, though it is a bit restricted list-wise (only witches and certain oracle archetypes can get it under normal circumstances).

[Nephelim]

Rain of Frogs and Mad Monkeys. They may not be the greatest Swarms (Vomit Swarm might have that nailed down) but seriously? Calling a horde of angry primates or a rain of toxic frogs? What's not to love?

[Cornielius]

Liberating Command- immediate action, close range, and twice caster level bonus to escape artist check

Strong Jaw- increase all natural attacks 2 size catagories for 1 minute per level

Spit Venom- if saved on, still blind for 1 round

Masterwork Tranformation- now my family heirlom, weird design, etc. is masterwork and can be enchanted; as a bonus, don't need to use crafting to make MW

Resinous Skin- dr/piercing, bonus to disarm CMD, bonus on CMB or grapple, and reflex/str checks to disarm your foe when he strikes you, all for 10 minutes per level

Ant Haul- carrying capacity triples for 2 hrs per caster level

[Dreaming Psion]

+1 to Vomit Swarm being the greatest swarm spell. Had an alchemist PC in one game I ran a few months back get a hell of a lot of good use out of it. Also makes for a very creepy motive/style, which is always a plus as well!

[Matthias]

For thematics Blistering invective is just fun. You intimidate people to set them on fire! Battlemind Link is always really nice if you do appropriate setup with a party member.

[Beckett]

Rain of Frogs needs to be a Cleric only spell for both balance and for theme. As for other great spells, Blesings of Fervor and the Create Plane spells stand out as what spells of their level aught to be like. Spiritual Ally is good to.

[Nephelim]

I just re-read Strong Jaw. Wow, that's impressive. Surprising that the target is "creature" - not "animal." Would that work on a Monk? Don't their unarmed attacks count as both natural and manufactured, or is that an older-edition thing?

At least, it means that a Druid could cast it on himself before wildshaping into an Allosaurus or other pouncer and ruining things.

[TarkXT]

Blessing of Fervor: Few spells can benefit so many so well as this one. Spell casters, weapon fighters, natural weapon fighters, everyone can find a benefit.

You can even dump this at the start of the day so your party spellcasters can extend their hour long buffs for free. Heck your local summoner actually gets the ability to throw down an extended haste from this. :D

[TarkXT]

Alchemical Allocation: Absolutely bonkers. Especially if you can get potions and things made by off classes like paladins, rangers, and summoners. This can get rather nutty very quickly. Especially if infused. Then you can share one potion among the whole party. Unhygeinic of course.

[Fromper]

For bards: Timely Inspiration and Gallant Inspiration. They don't stack with Inspire Courage, so Timely becomes worthless by the time you have enough performance to use Inspire every round of combat, but Gallant never goes out of style.

Saving Finale is another really good one for bards.

[Brotato]

I love Cloak of Dreams, especially on a Witch. It can be used both offensively (when combined with say, Greater Invis) or defensively, and targets Will, which is likely the weakest save for a guy up in your face anyway, and they don't get immunity to the spell if they save one round. Also lets your Rogue have some fun following behind you coup de gracing as they fall.

[Atarlost]

Timely Inspiration can be used when performance can't: It effects a roll rather than a task so it can be applied to tasks that take too long for inspire competence. It's also useful for non-inspiring bard archetypes.

Saving Finale saves lives. Giving a second save against a save or die or save or puppet spell is in the long term quite possibly the best first level spell effect for any non-magus.

["Devil's Advocate"]

Just curious, and a little off topic. Sorcerers get Blessings of Fervor from the Aasimar whatever Bloodline from Blood of Angels. Being that it is then an Arcane Spell, such a Sorcerer could make a scroll of it, and any Wizard could then take said scroll and scribe it, yes?

[Set]

"Devil's Advocate" wrote:

Just curious, and a little off topic. Sorcerers get Blessings of Fervor from the Aasimar whatever Bloodline from Blood of Angels. Being that it is then an Arcane Spell, such a Sorcerer could make a scroll of it, and any Wizard could then take said scroll and scribe it, yes?

It's still not a spell on the wizard spell list, so the wizard wouldn't be able to prepare or cast it.

[Bertious]

I find Ghost Wolf as a level 2 summoner spell rather appealing.

[ericthecleric]

Old Salt's Curse (ARG page 79) would be BRUTAL in a sea-based campaign like Skull and Shackles.

Overwhelming Presence (UM page 230) also seems quite nice!

[blackbloodtroll]

I have found several awesome uses for the Allfood spell.

[Mysterious Stranger]

For a Slyph Bard Windy Escape is great especially at low level, but still useful no matter what level you are. Since it takes an immediate action to cast it does not provoke an attack of opportunity and gives you DR 10/magic and immunity to critical hits, sneak attacks and poison.

[pad300]

Suffocation (APG) (attacking Fort) and Icy Prison (UM) (attacking RELEX) are the 2 best save or die effects in the game (level for level)...

Alchemists get Alchemical Allocation and Universal Formula

The swift action inspiration spells for Bards can be life-savers (and also can result in ultra-high skill checks).

Ear Piercing Scream, Frostbite, Murderous Command, Snapdragon Fireworks

Prediction of Failure

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

I'm a big fan of emergency force sphere. Immediate action shell of protection. Saved me more than once.

[FiddlersGreen]

Tiny Coffee Golem wrote:

I'm a big fan of emergency force sphere. Immediate action shell of protection. Saved me more than once.

My favourite fourth level spell too, but it's not in the APG, UM, UM or ARG.

Paragon surge rocks is awesome for half-elf sorcerers/bards/oracles for expanded arcana cheese.

[Jiggy]

Blood biography is extremely situational, but in the right circumstances, incredibly powerful.

[Nephelim]

Treasure Map (if I remember that name correctly) could be a lot of fun, if more than a bit Grizzly. I haven't had an occasion to try it out, but the idea of your BBEG's (or his miniboss) scalp being used to track down hidden treasure troves is very cool, if situational.

[Melissa Litwin]

Suffocation (UM) is quite solid. It's a death effect for a 5th level spell that, even if it doesn't kill, still pretty much ends the combat if the target fails its first save.

Waves of Ecstasy (UM) is an amazing area effect crowd control spell. At 7th level, it's a high level spell, but it potentially dazes a whole lot of people and takes them out of the fight. Because it targets Will saves, it's especially good for dealing with a bunch of fighter minions.

[Darigaaz the Igniter]

Nephelim wrote:

Rain of Frogs and Mad Monkeys. They may not be the greatest Swarms (Vomit Swarm might have that nailed down) but seriously? Calling a horde of angry primates or a rain of toxic frogs? What's not to love?

+1 to Mad Monkeys. As long as you have the stats on hand these guys can really shut down casters. And it's HILARIOUS to boot!

[kinevon]

Abundant Ammunition is a sleeper, unless you have already run an archer who has run out of ammo during a long combat.

[Phneri]

+1 for mad monkeys completely shutting down spellcasting

Vanish is very short-term, but amazing as a first-level spell. Particularly for a bard. 5 rounds to buff if we're ambushed? yes please.

Threefold aspect is one of the best witch spells available. Huge potential stat buffs and free disguise with a 24 hour duration.

Arrow eruption can be a fireball for rangers. Seen it used to great effect.

Seek Thoughts lets the no-charisma caster be useful during the information gathering session

Share language is a great scroll to have handy for diplomacy with unusual creatures

Vengeful outrages is a fantastic buff to hit the fighter/barbarian/etc. with right before you fight the BBEG. Yes, it's not meant as a buff, but it works nicely that way.

[The Crusader]

From the Inner Sea World Guide.

Infernal Healing - Healing for Sorc/Wiz. What's not to like?

Waters of Lamashtu - It does cost 250gp, but you get a splash weapon that makes a creature sickened for 1d4 rounds if they make the save. If they fail, they take 1d6 Int and 1d6 Dex damage. BBEG caster, you say?