New Spell Idea....looking for input / suggestions

[Tosscobobble]

I've never created a spell before, only tweaked a couple details. But, I was thinking about something involving the Void Domain

Void Domain:
You can call upon the cold darkness between the stars to gain flight, travel to other worlds, or summon monsters from beyond to do your bidding

So I was thinking of a splash attack spell

Echo of the Void (Evil, Void) Level 4?
Close range 25' + 5'/2 Lvl
Components: V

Conjure a small sphere of dark nothingness and toss at opponents

20' burst/splash d4 + wisdom modifier/caster level of void energy dmg
SR Will Save (since its just energy)

I literally just whipped this up and I have no idea of balance. Does this have merit?

Any and all input is welcome. I'm looking for something different that'll make my players use a bit more caution, but not overpowered.

Thank You all in advance!

[Melkiador]

Quote:

splash d4 + wisdom modifier/caster level of void energy dmg

That wording is a bit hard to understand, but either way it looks problematic. Doing damage equal to a modifier times the caster level is just asking for some abuses.

Quote:

SR Will Save (since its just energy)

Will save is "ok". Channel is like that. But being the attack is called a "splash", I'd expect a reflex save for half.

[Azothath]

hmmm... read a spell and use that format or go and read the Superstar entries... there are a lot of terms and such you could use...

The Void domain or school HAS a description, don't repeat it in your spell. You can reference it with a link if you want us to read it.

Starting with "Echo of the Void"
[Evil] really? [void] there is no [void] energy type...

what kind of attack roll
burst and splash are different spreads.
don't say conjure unless it is a Conjuration.

it's a mess.

see Call the Void:K3

My suggestion is to go and use DnD 3.5 Spell Compendium

[Azothath]

Azothath's Homebrew: Lsr Shadow Walk:I(3-4) 2018
Azothath's Homebrew: Celestial Healing:C1 (fix) 2018

[Goth Guru]

What is the range? With that power level I recommend close range.
The outer space void has vacuum and cold.

[Tosscobobble]

Yeah, it's not a well thought out spell, lol.

Void was to consider using in the Emerald Spire (level 11) that has a evil cleric with evil and void domains. I only put the domain description for easy context (not everyone wants to follow links, or create them)

Call the Void seems to have the flavor I was looking for, but wanted a ranged effect. I guess that doesn't need to have a thrown mechanic.
And it being an intangible energy, I thought a will save better than reflex. It's effecting the person's being more than their body

I appreciate the input. I'll probably steer away from spell creation, lol

[GotAFarmYet?]

Tosscobobble wrote:

Yeah, it's not a well thought out spell, lol.

Void was to consider using in the Emerald Spire (level 11) that has a evil cleric with evil and void domains. I only put the domain description for easy context (not everyone wants to follow links, or create them)

Call the Void seems to have the flavor I was looking for, but wanted a ranged effect. I guess that doesn't need to have a thrown mechanic.
And it being an intangible energy, I thought a will save better than reflex. It's effecting the person's being more than their body

I appreciate the input. I'll probably steer away from spell creation, lol

Sorry for bringing up an old topic. Don't give it up just work out the thought process to help you do it in the future.

It is not that hard, but does require brainstorming and time. You jot down what you are trying to do: Damage, effects, etc.
Define them and make sure it is to a single purpose:

Tosscobobble wrote:

You can call upon the cold darkness between the stars to gain flight, travel to other worlds, or summon monsters from beyond to do your bidding

This is more of a pick one, these are all possible spells based on the description you use. "You call upon the the energy that lays in the cold void of space between the stars to...".

Tosscobobble wrote:

So I was thinking of a splash attack spell

Ok, not bad look at spells like acid splash and anything close to it, i.e. splash damage.

Tosscobobble wrote:

Echo of the Void (Evil, Void) Level 4?

Close range 25' + 5'/2 Lvl
Components: V
Conjure a small sphere of dark nothingness and toss at opponents
20' burst/splash d4 + wisdom modifier/caster level of void energy dmg
SR Will Save (since its just energy)

I literally just whipped this up and I have no idea of balance. Does this have merit?

Don't name it first, you can do that later by looking at synonyms for the main effects you want it to look like. Take void:

1 a completely empty space
2 declare that (something) is not valid
3 discharge or drain away.

You wanted to do damage so only 1 and 3 are viable, if you wanted splash damage then vacuum is the route to take as strong suction can be used for the splash damage. Standard damage for the game by the way is about 1d6 per caster level, or 2d6 per spell level. Splash damage has to many variations so you are on your own there, but think at terms of a percentage and apply it in dice.
Range is generally 50-100 feet per Spell Level and 5-10 feet per caster level also used as the burst radius for many spells out to a maximum of 30 feet.
Using a 1d4 for damage and making it a thrown, you are pretty much making it a cantrip and limiting your spell. At least you can now use acid splash as the base to build it from. As stated by the others this means a Reflex save to avoid it.

You then wanted a Willpower save instead, that means option 2 is the damage method, or Mental damage. So now it should not be tossed but placed as part of the spell. Description: "you open their mind to the vastness of space to show how infinitesimal their existence. They receive xd6 of mental damage from experience. with xd(whatever) as persistent damage".

In Summery:
You did the right thing you needed help, and asked for it.
The area you needed help in was how do I think this through, and be creative about it.
This is one of the thought process I use when working with spells.

Hope this helps you in the future and good luck with your game.