Lets say you're a big powerful spell caster, probably a wizard. You've been charged with creating some sort of defensive tower network to protect a city. How would you do it exactly.
My thought is to abuse the trap mechanic and create a spot where Mnemonic enhancer automatically renews any spells less than 3rd level. Then all you need are some loyal apprentices (Preferably 5th level) to fire off spells every round at an invading army. Fireballs would be popular, but one could get creative.
Of course the trick then is to make sure the apprentices are loyal and only the select people can use the "traps." There's 101 ways to do this. The easiest to me would be to set the traps to only work for those who bear the correct arcane mark. Those loyal would be marked once per month just before they're loyalty is magically verified.
Another idea,
Create an intelligent magic item that can create lesser spawn of itself. Like a big construct that can create smaller constructs (perhaps with a cost involved) that are all "telepathically linked." The lesser all have some SLA at will (such as fireball) that they can use from the towers.
Permanent animated objects such as Balista would also get the job done.
Any other fun/flavorful ideas?
I don't have an idea yet, but as someone who loves real-time strategy games (even though I am terrible at them and don't have time for them :-( ), I am interested in this question.
Simulacrums would fill the loyalty part, as long as loyalty to you is all that matters. Though if we were gonna do those, I'd just make simulacra of the biggest nastiest beasty I could find. Like say, the tarrasque, some great wyrms, or high-powered outsiders.
Guards and Wards spell seems to fit decently.
That only helps for a limited area and only if the enemy gets into the city. I'm more interested in destroying an army at range before they breech the walls.
Simulacrums would fill the loyalty part, as long as loyalty to you is all that matters. Though if we were gonna do those, I'd just make simulacra of the biggest nastiest beasty I could find. Like say, the tarrasque, some great wyrms, or high-powered outsiders.
That's actually pretty good. Either big nasty beasts or simply simulacra of the caster plus the Mnemonic enhancer trap. As an added bonus it's be fare more difficult to find the original. :-)
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A series of Permenancy Animated Objects attuned to small Adamantine weapons planted throughout the vast open field that you made. It can be something similar to a landmine field, but uses weapons. Since they are Adamantine objects, spell will be very difficult to use to Damage them (need at least 40 damage to do damage pass hardness).
Why not just use the magic traps rules to make a tower that shoots a fireball or lightning bolt at whoever approaches? Less loyalty problems, and more endurance than a spellcaster who uses up slots.
Guards and Wards spell seems to fit decently.That only helps for a limited area and only if the enemy gets into the city. I'm more interested in destroying an army at range before they breech the walls.
Have someone trigger a Level 20 control winds spell device in the center of the army = F5 tornado. Or, if only lower level casters are available, then 2-4 Control Winds devices, one after the other to keep increasing the wind effect until Tornado is reached.
Of course, retaliation against the city might be similar in effect.
Can a trap target a person with a spell that has a range of personal?
Why not just use the magic traps rules to make a tower that shoots a fireball or lightning bolt at whoever approaches? Less loyalty problems, and more endurance than a spellcaster who uses up slots.
That would work for specific areas, but the targeting would be static and unchanging. What if I want to do something what that piece of land in 100 years?
I'd prefer something that I can at least change the target of.
Why not just use the magic traps rules to make a tower that shoots a fireball or lightning bolt at whoever approaches? Less loyalty problems, and more endurance than a spellcaster who uses up slots.That would work for specific areas, but the targeting would be static and unchanging. What if I want to do something what that piece of land in 100 years?
I'd prefer something that I can at least change the target of.
Can't magical traps be modified in a similar manner as mundane traps and magic items?
Can't magical traps be modified in a similar manner as mundane traps and magic items?Why not just use the magic traps rules to make a tower that shoots a fireball or lightning bolt at whoever approaches? Less loyalty problems, and more endurance than a spellcaster who uses up slots.That would work for specific areas, but the targeting would be static and unchanging. What if I want to do something what that piece of land in 100 years?
I'd prefer something that I can at least change the target of.
Perhaps. Though I think that's a time intensive process.
Step 1, permanent walls of force, strategically placed of course to allow for attacks out with minimal recourse. The walls will be near impervious. And can cover the city. And the ground.
My personal go-to spell for countering armies is Spike Growth. With a few castings of it, you can cover a huge amount of area and make it more or less impassable for anything that walks.
Animated Ballistae with this 3.5 weapon quality upgraded to accept ballista bolts (and subject to DM approval)
Similar idea using craft construct to build intelligent self loading siege engines.
Less interesting 'craft construct' troops to man your siege engines.
Alternative siege engine: 3/day use-activated fireball (or black tentacles!) "cannons"