I am a huge fan of the animate dead spell and am surprised more people aren't calling it out.
It has the misfortune of being a 4th level spell on the sorcerer/wizard list, and there are so many amazing 4th level spells that even one of the best spells in the game struggles to rise to the top. It has a better chance of showing up on a cleric list due to being 3rd level for them, but it's still got competition even there.
^For a Undead Master Wizard, Animate Dead is only 3rd level (and spells related to it are also reduced by 1 level). Animate Dead is also only 3rd level for a Gravewalker Witch.
^And a wizard heading for eldritch knight has different priorities to a bog-standard wizard, who has different priorities to an arcane trickster, and a shaman using arcane enlightenment has different priorities to all those despite all using/stealing from the same wizard list. There are some serious differences being swept under the carpet in creating these lists. Don't take differences for some specialist or archetype too seriously.
I am a huge fan of the animate dead spell and am surprised more people aren't calling it out.It has the misfortune of being a 4th level spell on the sorcerer/wizard list, and there are so many amazing 4th level spells that even one of the best spells in the game struggles to rise to the top. It has a better chance of showing up on a cleric list due to being 3rd level for them, but it's still got competition even there.
Yeah I was talking more about clerics. I think it’s undoubtedly the best third level cleric spell, but only if your play style is based around it. It’s like, ok if you just use it once in a while.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Getting more disposable combatants on the battlefield, by animating dead or summon something is just an excellent strategy.
^And a wizard heading for eldritch knight has different priorities to a bog-standard wizard, who has different priorities to an arcane trickster, and a shaman using arcane enlightenment has different priorities to all those despite all using/stealing from the same wizard list. There are some serious differences being swept under the carpet in creating these lists. Don't take differences for some specialist or archetype too seriously.
avr- This is not the first time I have read a post from you displaying a good understanding of the game.
I have played witches a lot and I keep trying to tell people that witches should select their spells to fill out what their hexes cannot do. I am not sure too many people are taking notice.
Typically hexes can take out individuals and buff allies, both one at a time. The same spell may be better or worse for a witch than another form of arcane caste, eg spells that take out one individual are worse for witches and I memorise few of them.
What will affect which spell a particular witch may find best includes-
1 which hexes they have
2 the witch archetype, if any
3 the composition and strengths of the rest of the party
4 magic items available
5 the campaign.
But really, most classes casting spells are affected by the same things, except 1.
So there is no one size fits all answer.
Equally there is no doubt some spells are better than others, and many spells are either just lacking or too situational to be memorised except rarely.
|
Rogue:
0 level: create water. People often overlook this, creatures standing in water can have their square pinpointed. Minor magic
1st level: Vanish. Major magic
Rogue is gone. Uh oh!
2nd level: Darkness. Gloom magic
Doesn't affect your vision.
3rd level: Deeper Darkness. Greater gloom magic
Still doesn't affect your vision.
errata: Dispell Magic. Dispelling attack. Every sneak attack can cancel one of your buffs. Yes please.
Wand Rogue. Now I'm just casting all the spells on your list like I was one of you. True strike? Sure. As a MOVE ACTION. Right before the sneak attack hits you.
Yeah I was talking more about clerics. I think it’s undoubtedly the best third level cleric spell, but only if your play style is based around it. It’s like, ok if you just use it once in a while.
Agreed....It is and alongside the SM series a very good spell. I didn't include it in my list as they seem like spells that a cleric builds specifically towards using rather than just being generally very good, if you see what I mean!!