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I've found Message to be tremendously useful. Yes, there are plenty of limitations, but I have twice now had it save a PFS scenario for me.
In one scenario, casting it on a friendly NPC prevented the BBEG from escaping. "Excuse me, have you seen that wizard we talked about?" "Why yes, I just saw him go out the front door."
In another scenario, there is NO way we would have solved the final puzzle, that required two people coordinating over a distance, by the end of our time slot, if not for message.
I've also used it several times to warn non-combatants and slaves to keep their heads down, so that we could prevent casualties during a battle.
So I agree with the OP that message is a very powerful cantrip. However, I can also think of several scenarios that have made good use of it's limitations. The dramatic potential of having a message target suddenly 'go dark' cannot be over-stated!
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Look, it's better than blindly firing arrows with notes attached to them.
Look, it's better than blindly firing arrows with notes attached to them.
"Message for you sire..."
Am I the only one who feels this way? What do the rest of you think? Are your PCs all throwing Message as well?
FWIW, we've changed the spell so that its only one-way and requires line of sight. That makes it more 'cantrip-appropriate' in my view.
1) Nowhere in the spell descript does it say anything about line of sight when choosing targets, only that the caster points at the target(s) to hear the message. Now, RAI would suggest you must be able to see the target to point at him, but nothing RAW confirms/denies that. Personally, I would say the caster must be able to see the target when the spell is cast, but the target may then move out of sight, which would be when the obstruction rules would kick in. That seems to make the most sense, given the 100'+10'/lvl range and 10min/lvl casting time.
2) The caster has to initiate the message, not the target. The target can only reply to the caster. This would make it very interesting if the caster whispers "Where are you now?" and three people all try to respond at once. Also, only the caster can hear the response, not any other targets. As mentioned above, the time delays due to relaying messages can make a difference.
3) Even though the dc is pretty high, it's still possible for the message to be overheard. That alone could make for some really interesting problems, especially for stealthy characters.
You're incorrect.
No I am not.
A casts message on B.B can't send a message back to A until A whispers first.
"The creatures that receive the message can whisper a reply that you hear."
"You can whisper messages and receive whispered replies."
It isn't a walkie talkie...
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The spell also says that all creatures in range can make a perception check to notice the whisper. The only range I can find for the spell is 100 +10/level. Does that mean that every creature within a 100+ foot radius centered on the caster can roll perception to notice the whisper?
Ah. Thanks!
Message also gives an approved method of players using the table talk they have been using for decades.
The biggest way to shut down your player's apparent abuse is to enforce the message/reply format to the caster, and limit the amount of words spoken.
/cevah
With the finger pointing thing: the only time in recent memory I can remember a player using message he took the initiative to just point at his "target" player at the table. So here we are, in the middle of a crowded game store with a guy "loud whispering" while pointing at various table mates. It was fun.
But seriously though with the very specific relay system of the messages I've never had much issue with this cantrip. And of course I've said it in many places; I love cantrips so I'm probably pretty biased.