Caltrops vs Grease

[Rannan]

I know grease is more effective, but because it takes up a spell slot and is limited in casting, could I substitute caltrops in it's place? Then I can get a different spell and still have a control-like effect with the caltrops.

I'm caught between Silent Image and Charm or Charm and Grease. Charm seems situational, and my charisma is really high, but it seems like it would definitely be fun. I suppose Charm isn't the most useful spell for combat, but out of combat it seems like it could help a lot. Silent Image can be great, but I'm also a little nervous about if it could/would work in combat. And Grease is the only one I can come somewhat close to replicating with the use of caltrops.

[Smallfoot]

Rannan wrote:

I know grease is more effective, but because it takes up a spell slot and is limited in casting, could I substitute caltrops in it's place? Then I can get a different spell and still have a control-like effect with the caltrops.

I'm caught between Silent Image and Charm or Charm and Grease.

Just depends on whether you feel the benefits of an alternate spell (like Silent Image) are worth the tradeoff for caltrops. You're giving up range, area, and some flexibility since you can Grease an object or person. Don't forget Grease can be a buff for you or a party member if you're up against someone or thing that grapples.

[Rannan]

Rannan wrote:

I know grease is more effective, but because it takes up a spell slot and is limited in casting, could I substitute caltrops in it's place? Then I can get a different spell and still have a control-like effect with the caltrops.

I'm caught between Silent Image and Charm or Charm and Grease. Charm seems situational, and my charisma is really high, but it seems like it would definitely be fun. I suppose Charm isn't the most useful spell for combat, but out of combat it seems like it could help a lot. Silent Image can be great, but I'm also a little nervous about if it could/would work in combat. And Grease is the only one I can come somewhat close to replicating with the use of caltrops.

Yeah I already ended up changing it. Charm seems great but it's limited in use, whereas Silent Image and Grease both have multiple applications. I want Charm, but maybe I'll pick it up later. In a noncombat situation I'm sure I can use bluff/intimidate/diplomacy to get a similar effect of Charm Person, and in a combat situation it wouldn't make the person attack their friends, just try to stop the fighting. It could be useful if I charmed someone above my enemies in rank so they would listen to them, but really that won't be happening often or probably at all.

[Mathius]

grease will be useful until level 20 so if you do not get at 1st then pick it up later.

A 1st level scroll cost 25 gp so you might be able to get it with starting money.

Mage armor, obscuring mist, unseen servant, and vanish are all very good as well.

Color spray and sleep should be taken at 1 if at all.

Daze, disrupt undead, mage hand, ghost sound are all good cantrips.

[Velcro Zipper]

Why not both? Seems like two great tastes that would taste great together to me. I know if I was running a game and a player dumped a grease spell into an area containing caltrops, I'd let them make an attack roll for the caltrops if their opponent fell prone. Granted, it would be at +0, but I'd make it against flat-footed AC and let the scattering of caltrops do a flat 1d4 damage with no chance of slowing the creature until they stand up.