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I know my title is a bit sensationalist, but my point stands. I feel that the symbol spells (such as symbol of death) are so expensive to be unusable. They are great for bad guys to put in their dungeons, but I have seen several classes that seem to want to focus around symbol spells, such as Runeguard and Lore Oracle. These classes encourage you to use SYmbol spells, but they cost so much money just to cast they aren't worth it.
Am I missing something? Does anyone have any ideas how to make them more usable?
By definition, they are traps, which rarely is usable by PC's. I'd find them boring too. But, if you wanted to set a trap, and lure people it could work. When defending a place under siege, place symbols in bottlenecks and you have an efficient control.
They seem to be designed for GM's, as it's hard for players to use traps.
One method of making them somewhat more usable: Place them in a staff. It's an expensive one-time investment that gives you one (or two, with tat an arcane battery) uses/day at the cost of equal-level spellslots, and it can store up to 10 charges.
They're mostly useful if you're trying to defend a location, though, and that's a relatively rare setup to play.
I know my title is a bit sensationalist, but my point stands. I feel that the symbol spells (such as symbol of death) are so expensive to be unusable. They are great for bad guys to put in their dungeons, but I have seen several classes that seem to want to focus around symbol spells, such as Runeguard and Lore Oracle. These classes encourage you to use SYmbol spells, but they cost so much money just to cast they aren't worth it.
Am I missing something? Does anyone have any ideas how to make them more usable?
I see them working just as intended. They're spells to put in bases and fortifications, not battle magic. The Battle version of some of these symbols are the Power Word spells.
They're save or die. That's why they're so expensive.
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You want to break them in the other direction? Put them on your armor, and apply permanency. Sure, there's a 10-minute recharge, but still pretty powerful.
Symbols can usually be made permanent. Yes, it's more money, but 20-30K is not very much at all to pay for permanent area-effect save-or-die effects.
They're for very-high-level play, in PC hands.
Yep, they're pretty amazing in power and flexibility.
Want to hit something with a spell but it has a gaze attack? Just wear a blindfold with a symbol on it, that'll teach you to look at me Medusa!
Need to front load some spells for a fight in the future? Put some symbols on some shurikens which can be drawn as a free action. Free action spell along with your swift and standard.
Want to deliver someone a nasty gift? A chest full of gold with a symbol of insanity on the inside will do.
Want a gate or arch only you can pass through? Become immune to the effect and you have a door only you can use!
Spell book thief getting you down? You only interact with it using your mage hand but if anyone else touches it they can eat a symbol of pain.
Symbol of persuasion basically makes up for that charisma you dumped. Just get that mess tattooed onto your forehead.
Question is, whether a symbol can be placed on a moveable surface or not. A banner or a shield, used as a "surface" would change the dynamics of the spell a lot.
Any sane DM would require the "surface" to be fixed. Pity the spell description does not specify this. Great shenanigans can ensue if you allow a symbol spell to be placed on a bouncing ball, for example.
Question is, whether a symbol can be placed on a moveable surface or not. A banner or a shield, used as a "surface" would change the dynamics of the spell a lot.
Any sane DM would require the "surface" to be fixed. Pity the spell description does not specify this. Great shenanigans can ensue if you allow a symbol spell to be placed on a bouncing ball, for example.
I know someone who puts them on banners and such to take into combat. He gives everyone in the party an attuned token. Mirroring is his current one that he uses.
Why does he want to make all enemies doubled while his party is not? Makes hitting an enemy harder, and does nothing for helping the party.
Remember, attuning means being unaffected. This makes the Symbol of Mirroring much less useful.
/cevah
I tend to have a strong distaste for them for a variety of reasons. But if you can afford the exuberant cost than sure they can be alright.
I'm one of the few that loves trap spells. Great flavor for my anthropomorphic cerberus character.