Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheCobra 04-21-08, 02:29 PM	I'm confused about the nature of the ability. Like most divine abilities, it doesn't seem to be supernatural. The rules explicitly state that divine abilities ignore spell resistance and antimagic effects. So, in what way are the duplicated spells like spells? Can they still be dispelled? Are they magical effects that can be extended with the ability? Also, what effective caster level does the ability use?
TheCobra 04-22-08, 11:36 PM	No ideas? Should I just assume Alter Reality is the same DM fiat? As it can potentially be used for an infinite time stop, I guess the ability might as well be.
Lankaster 04-24-08, 05:29 PM	The spells duplicated by this ability are still spells in nature; they can be dispelled and countered by Anti-magic fields, but only if the counter or Anti-magic field was created by another deity, and only at an opposed Divine Rank check (see the Dicefreaks` rules for deities, it works very well). As for other effects, this ability is pretty easily Overpowered, as in game terms it is stated to be able to do just about "anything". In this case, the DM has to be very cautious with it; if Wish was a pesky matter, then Alter Reality is even worse. And finally, the caster level for this ability (and all other Salient Divine Abilities that seem to perform a magic-oriented action, such as Lay Curse, Know Secrets, and the like) should be equal to the Deity`s HD + Divine Rank.
TheCobra 04-25-08, 09:53 AM	Interesting. Where are you getting this information? Hit dice plus divine rank is nuts. Because of the 20 outsider HD, that means the ability would typically be more potent than the deity's own spells. Note that a deity's domain spell-like abilities use a caster of 10 plus divine rank.
Lankaster 04-25-08, 05:14 PM	Check this out, it might give you some very useful tips about gods. I personally like it a lot, as it is a serious approach to the subject in question. :) http://dicefreaks.forumz.cc/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19 (http://dicefreaks.forumz.cc/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19)
The_Cheeseman 05-01-08, 01:06 PM	Even though it can be used to duplicate a spell, Alter Reality is still a salient divine ability, and is therefore not subject to spell resistance, antimagic, or dispel effects. Since a caster level is not listed, I think it would be best to assume that the spells duplicated via Alter Reality use the caster level of the deity's spell-like abilities (10 + divine rank). Most monsters do not have a caster level equal to their full hit dice, usually it is closer to their CR (but since deities don't have a CR, they mostly use rank). There is nothing stopping a deity from using Alter Reality to make permanent any spell they cast via the Alter Reality ability. This essentially means that a deity with Alter Reality could (and probably would) have every beneficial spell effect ever designed in effect on its person at all times, and immune to any kind of dispelling. I would recommend not giving this salient divine ability to any deity you intend to bring into direct conflict with the PCs, as it would make for a very one-sided and unrewarding battle.
TheCobra 05-01-08, 02:06 PM	There is nothing stopping a deity from using Alter Reality to make permanent any spell they cast via the Alter Reality ability. There isn't? Note that the ability technically isn't supernatural. If you don't think the duplicated spells can be dispelled, are they actually magical? Alter Reality only lists the ability to make magical and supernatural abilities permanent. However, nothing prevents them from using time stop over and over again for as many action as they please. I'm sure they would have duplicated all protective spells. I would recommend not giving this salient divine ability to any deity you intend to bring into direct conflict with the PCs, as it would make for a very one-sided and unrewarding battle. Unfortunately, it's one of the easiest SDAs to qualify for and by far the most powerful. Deities without it would be the butt of many jokes and inferior to their supposed peers.
tridiak 05-05-08, 04:23 AM	I would like AR to effects related to their portfolios.
Kursk 05-05-08, 12:30 PM	I would recommend not giving this salient divine ability to any deity you intend to bring into direct conflict with the PCs, as it would make for a very one-sided and unrewarding battle. Umm, that's what is supposed to happen. Deities aren't just high level "monsters".
The_Cheeseman 05-09-08, 12:49 AM	Then don't treat them as "monsters" by giving them stats and bringing them into direct conflict with the PCs. However, if we're assuming that the PCs will be fighting the deity, it makes sense for the DM to craft a deity that is a difficult but ultimately beatable foe. Otherwise, setting it against the party is without purpose, and you might as well just wave your hand and say, "You all lose, roll new characters." So basically, if you wish to treat deities as unapproachable paragons of supernatural power against which mortals cannot hope to win, don't give them combat statistics and don't setup combat encounters involving them. If, however, you wish to allow your players to combat deities, give them stats that make for a fun and challenging fight, not a one-sided exercise in DM ego-masturbation.
TheCobra 05-09-08, 02:24 AM	Unfortunately, the rules make even demigods extremely powerful unless they're foolish enough to pass up Alter Reality.
Janusunaj 05-13-08, 11:43 PM	Well, it could be that demigods with alter reality are the most powerful of the demi gods.