I recently had an idea that I wanted to bounce off the community and see what you thought. What if characters created buff boxes that they could use before going into combat (IF they have the time) that would have all the buffs they want/need? These boxes could be constructed with potions and scrolls to make sure that the casters are able to optimize their spell slots. For example a fighter's buff box might contain a potion of bull's strength, a wand of barkskin, and a scroll of Haste. The scrolls and wand would need to be used by someone who could cast them.
Obviously these boxes would require a set amount of time/money to prepare and use as well as someone with the requisite knowledge to use the items(scrolls/wands). If characters get ambushed, they would not be able to use them. However, if the characters are about to raid the evil lair, these could be extremely useful. What do you guys think?
Sounds like the happy meal of pre boss buffing, it's essentially a pre made set of buff items. I like it
I recorded what the necessary rolls would be to use the items and how much time should be allocated to using the boxes and from there is was a quick and easy fix.
an example of time needed (4 turns)
1 turn to take the box out of your backpack
1 standard action to drink potion
1 standard action to use wand (DC19 UMD)
1 standard action to use scroll (DC varies by scroll)
It was important for me to record the amount of time it would take the group to do all of this because often times there will be only one person who can use a wand or scroll and so that person would have to participate in everyone's buff box. For example: (turn 1)Wizard goes to box 1 and uses scroll on player (turn 2)wizard uses wand on player (turn 3) wizard goes to box 2 and uses scroll on player (turn 4) wizard uses wand from box 2 on player etc... We needed about 10 rounds for the boxes to be used correctly. Also, I think it goes without saying that a lot of the spells used would be hour/minute per level. The round by level potions would still need to be cast in combat.
I found this whole ordeal to be excellent for buff reliant characters like druids. It also saved valuable spell casting slots for magic users. Once you have your default box setup, it is easy to use over and over again. All you really need to know is cost of consumable items, rounds to complete, and rolls necessary for UMD.
So the wizard could cast shield and bear's endurance the fighter during the first round of combat when someone is sniping at them.
In PFS they would just let the caster pay half and assume they re-bought the potion and scroll. Weather they let you recharge the wand is up to them.
Would you consider an easy to draw from compartmented pouch? It could come in the original buff box.
This is fine, but keep in mind that combining multiple spell effects into a single consumable item increases the price of each spell effect (except the most expensive one) by +50%
I thought the box it'self was not magical.
It's an item that functions as multiple magical items right?
Or is it an item that combines them?
Either case, it should be magical or be priced as a magical item and likely be expensive.
It is just a mundane box that would take several rounds to cast. The point is that it is something that would take place before combat. Players would definitely have to do the buffs one at a time if they were in combat already. This is something that you use before you go into the dungeon, not once combat has started.
Buff box Battle: Potion of enlarge(quaffed by fighter), wand of bull strength(used by caster on fighter), and scroll of bless(read by clerical type). Now kick open the door and attack!
Buff Box Defensive: Oil of barkskin(For the frontliner), wand of Mage armor(for arcane caster to use on non magic armor wearing types), and scroll of protection from evil(Clerical).
Buff Box Stealthy: Potion of invisibility, wand of cats grace, and scroll of silence(clerical).