New Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

New Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zinger2099
10-18-07, 07:47 AM One of my characters introduced the Spell Compendium into the game table. As the DM, I find a whole new book of spells daunting, to say the least. If I ultimately decide not to let him use it how do I let him down without upsetting him, having just bought the book?

Second question, if I do allow it in, does he automatically get all his wizard cantrips? Since a wizard is supposed to begin play with all your 0-level spells?

Do clerics just automatically get all the spells in there?

Is there anything else I am leaving out?
goawayugh
10-18-07, 08:03 AM 1) I would not disallow it altogether. If you come across a problem spell, ban that specific spell.

2) I suppose you could rule it that he only gets all cantrips in the PHB. As a wizard PC though, I would be very upset with you if you did that, as wizards are supposed to know all 0-level spells. Dont worry though, a cantrip is not going to ruin your campaign.

3) Divine casters do not need to 'know' their spells. They can prepare any divine spell. So, yes, clerics/druids/rangers/paladins can prepare any spell in there.

My advice: He spent the money on the best non-core book there is. Let him enjoy it. Take it on a spell-by-spell basis, after you see it in action.
Zinger2099
10-18-07, 08:07 AM thanks
Phrennzy
10-18-07, 10:05 AM Borrow it and read it before the game.

Make seperate notations about spells that concern you.

Discuss those spells with the players.

Eliminate, change, or allow those spells.
Myers
10-18-07, 11:18 AM My general rule at the table for all non-core books is quite simple, any and every specific spell, feat, feature etc... must be shown to me before it goes on the character sheet. Don't authorize the entire book at once, but be flexible, long as a spell isn't going to unbalance or completely mess up your game, allow it. Nobody wants a Nazi DM, but also don't let your players jerk you around and assume just because it's in print in some book it will be allowed, and don't have them give you a 300 page book for an hour and say "Is this book balanced".
LSMFT
10-18-07, 11:52 AM The big problem with all the new spells is not so much the possibility of encountering some broken one (yes, there are some that are a bit much) as it is being totally caught off guard by some spell that you hadn't really been aware of.

I think that a combination of Prennzy's and Myers's advice is good: Borrow the book and read through it, look for serious concerns, but (unless you have a photographic memory) still look at and approve or disapprove each individual spell before it is added to the character sheet.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zinger2099 10-18-07, 07:47 AM	One of my characters introduced the Spell Compendium into the game table. As the DM, I find a whole new book of spells daunting, to say the least. If I ultimately decide not to let him use it how do I let him down without upsetting him, having just bought the book? Second question, if I do allow it in, does he automatically get all his wizard cantrips? Since a wizard is supposed to begin play with all your 0-level spells? Do clerics just automatically get all the spells in there? Is there anything else I am leaving out?
goawayugh 10-18-07, 08:03 AM	1) I would not disallow it altogether. If you come across a problem spell, ban that specific spell. 2) I suppose you could rule it that he only gets all cantrips in the PHB. As a wizard PC though, I would be very upset with you if you did that, as wizards are supposed to know all 0-level spells. Dont worry though, a cantrip is not going to ruin your campaign. 3) Divine casters do not need to 'know' their spells. They can prepare any divine spell. So, yes, clerics/druids/rangers/paladins can prepare any spell in there. My advice: He spent the money on the best non-core book there is. Let him enjoy it. Take it on a spell-by-spell basis, after you see it in action.
Zinger2099 10-18-07, 08:07 AM	thanks
Phrennzy 10-18-07, 10:05 AM	Borrow it and read it before the game. Make seperate notations about spells that concern you. Discuss those spells with the players. Eliminate, change, or allow those spells.
Myers 10-18-07, 11:18 AM	My general rule at the table for all non-core books is quite simple, any and every specific spell, feat, feature etc... must be shown to me before it goes on the character sheet. Don't authorize the entire book at once, but be flexible, long as a spell isn't going to unbalance or completely mess up your game, allow it. Nobody wants a Nazi DM, but also don't let your players jerk you around and assume just because it's in print in some book it will be allowed, and don't have them give you a 300 page book for an hour and say "Is this book balanced".
LSMFT 10-18-07, 11:52 AM	The big problem with all the new spells is not so much the possibility of encountering some broken one (yes, there are some that are a bit much) as it is being totally caught off guard by some spell that you hadn't really been aware of. I think that a combination of Prennzy's and Myers's advice is good: Borrow the book and read through it, look for serious concerns, but (unless you have a photographic memory) still look at and approve or disapprove each individual spell before it is added to the character sheet.