Faerun-Specific Prestige Class Query [Archive] - Wizards Community

Faerun-Specific Prestige Class Query [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dwalon
05-31-06, 04:44 PM My question relates to a faerun-specific prestige class, so I hope I am posting this in the correct spot.

I'll give you a general overview of precise situation, and then what my exact quandry is.

I have begun DMing a group set in a somewhat generic world called "Wilderlands" which is a Necromancer Games production, based off of the old 1970's Judges' Guild maps and modules. My group meets to play only once per month, and we are just a bunch of old fogies (40 years +), so I am pretty open to letting players play whatever they want. Time is short and a game is meant to be fun, right?

We are spread out in various towns of about 50 miles apart, and really don't talk often over the telephone. I did strive to nail down via emails what the players were wanting to play prior to our first session, but one player in particular never did respond, and so when he showed up with a special request of particular character facet, I was unprepared. I still don't really know much about the odd feat character has and prestige class the player is heading for. While I am familiar with many facets of WoTC products and even some non-WoTC d20 products, I have virtually no knowledge regarding the world of Faerun. Hence, I request some input.

The player showed up with a evocation-specialized wizard character who had a Faerun specific feat. Forgive me, I don't recall the name. I read the feat in one of his books, and gave it an initial thumbs-up acceptance keeping in mind that my main idea is to have fun. It essentially allows the wizard to absorb and store any directed arcane spell cast at the character, and eventually release the stored spell levels as a bolt of pure energy.

During play of our first session, he was able to absorb 3 levels of spells (a magic missile and a Melf's Acid Arrow), and spent that energy to help take down an ogre which turned the tide of a major battle.

One of my questions to Faerun-experienced players and DMs is: Does this feat seem overpowered? What are the drawbacks to such a power that is gained at 1st level?

In the future, the wizard intends to join a prestige class. The player didn't have the book to show me the class and I am not familiar with it, so again, I don't know the name ... sorry. In essence, the player described the class as being able to retain the spells for longer lengths of time.

So my finish-up question is: Will the prestige class that lengthens this feat power be overpowering?

I suppose overpowering is relative in nature, but to me as DM, I would like some idea of how to handle an evocation-specialized wizard who will in many circumstances be able to do many more damage spells than a typical evocation-specialized wizard.

Thanks for any input you'd like to convey.
Zanan
05-31-06, 05:20 PM Unless I am mistaken, you speak of the spellfire feat. It is a first level feat, for one is usually born with spellfire and the ability to "process" it. Spellfire can become in annoyance in so far that any character can take it and essentially benefits from a "spell-storing" / "spell-turning" ability usually available only at high levels. One really has to check whether it could ruin a game. As far as I am concerned, it works best for NPCs. A weak character, such as a young sorcerer, could profit from it, though you have to read the rules on spellfire to make it work at a balanced level. For it does have some drawbacks too ... minor as they might seem.
Dwalon
05-31-06, 07:34 PM Thank you for the input, Zanan.

Spellfire ... that sounds like it may very well be the feat. The player did state it was necessary to take at 1st level.

You mentioned Spellfire may help a weak character, such as a young sorcerer. Is this a feat that lessens in relative strength as a character progresses?
Alac Luin
05-31-06, 11:34 PM You mentioned Spellfire may help a weak character, such as a young sorcerer. Is this a feat that lessens in relative strength as a character progresses?
Definitely.

The wielder needs to make a ranged touch attack and the target gets a ref save for half damage.

The feat itself can almost be useless at higher levels, unless the PrC is taken.
Even that just makes it more playable (read "balanced").

Up until level five or so it can turn the tide of battle, after that baddies will be less prone from taking that much damage from it.

Half the damage is fire based so fire resistance or protection from fire will help monster survivability.
Evasion can cause all those spellfire levels to be wasted.
The Ranger
05-31-06, 11:58 PM I'm playing in a campaign where one of my fellow party members is a Spellfire-wielding paladin of Mystra, which has proven very interesting, particularly for my character, a Harper Mage sent to spy on him.

While Spellfire is indeed powerful, that's exactly what makes it such a problem.

You can't just start slinging great bolts of raw magical energy around -- people tend to notice that sort of thing. And since virtually every power group in Faerun wants to control someone that powerful their agents tend to descend on such beings with annoying regularity.

There's also the problem of the character needing to absorb magic in order to make use of the talent and he can only hold so much power (even if he does take the Spellfire Wielder PRC) or he starts popping off great bursts of light whenever he's touched.

Perhaps most importantly -- bad guys aren't stupid. if their spells keep getting absorbed by one particular character and thrown right back at them, they're going to stop pounding on that character with magic. And believe me as the party mage the last thing I want to do is spend all my time powering up Spellfire-boy with magic.

By all means let the player take the Spellfire feat, but make sure that you temper it by having various groups trying to recruit, control, blackmail or just plain kill the character if he gets out of control. After all, unless he plans to flashfry everyone who witnesses his power, the word's going to get out.
Dwalon
06-01-06, 07:23 PM These are the inputs I needed. Because I knew virtually nothing about the feat nor how it really worked, I truly appreciate the insights.

Now I have a view to go on, and can better understand and prepare for character and his unique (to my group anyhow) quality.
Alac Luin
06-01-06, 07:42 PM Ah, are you aware that by the RAW the charicter needs to "ready an action" to absorb spells?

Many people have droped this and houserule it differently, but by the way it is written the charicter needs to ready an action so cant do anything else but take a 5 foot move on the round they absorb spells.

Also by the RAW, the charicter cannot absorb area of effect spells.
(no absorbing fireballs or Cone of Cold)
Ripe
06-02-06, 03:09 AM Not to mention that unlike all the other Supernatural abilities Spellfire could be disrupted or countered and is affected by spell and magic items that could affect Spell-like abilities.

Which makes the feat [and ability] almost completely useless.
Dwalon
06-02-06, 04:23 PM Alan Luic,

I did know about area attack spells not being absorbed, but not the "readying" requirement. When we play again later this month, I'll again read the player's book where the feat is listed. Readying to absorb will greatly limit the potential overbalancing, and make it much more palatable for me.

Ripe,

You mean disrupted like failing due to concentration checks?
Alac Luin
06-02-06, 07:12 PM The information needed to handle spellfire is not listed in the feat.
You need to read the Magic of Faerun (the tome the feat is in) page 17-19.
Mostly, the 2nd column on page 18 (absorbing), and the 1st column on page 19 (using).

Further about the ready action, here is what it says....
MoF pg 18
"A spellfire wielder can ready an action to absorb spells targeted at her as if she were a rod of absorption."

Now, for some reason many people will claim something like ....(I've seen it here numerous times)
"MoF is 3.0, but in 3.5 they changed the rod of absorption that this item no longer needs a ready action, so spellfire no longer needs a ready action."
This is an untrue statement.
Besides a few changes in pronouns (he or she to just she) there is little difference between the 3.0 and 3.5 rod of absorption.

The "ready an action" had nothing to do with a rod of absorption, so don't let the player convince you that it does.
I'm only trying to head off an issue that might arise.
Kessalin Talira
06-02-06, 11:24 PM For future reference, the actual name of the feat is "Spellfire Wielder", and the name of the prestige class the player intends to enter is "Spellfire Channeler".
Ripe
06-03-06, 03:25 PM ...Ripe,

You mean disrupted like failing due to concentration checks?
That is exactly what I mean.
Dwalon
06-03-06, 03:56 PM Thanks go out to everyone who helped me understand the feat and prestige class. I think I've got a decent feel for it now, which is exactly what I wanted in order to DM it adequately. Your inputs have been greatly appreciated!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dwalon 05-31-06, 04:44 PM	My question relates to a faerun-specific prestige class, so I hope I am posting this in the correct spot. I'll give you a general overview of precise situation, and then what my exact quandry is. I have begun DMing a group set in a somewhat generic world called "Wilderlands" which is a Necromancer Games production, based off of the old 1970's Judges' Guild maps and modules. My group meets to play only once per month, and we are just a bunch of old fogies (40 years +), so I am pretty open to letting players play whatever they want. Time is short and a game is meant to be fun, right? We are spread out in various towns of about 50 miles apart, and really don't talk often over the telephone. I did strive to nail down via emails what the players were wanting to play prior to our first session, but one player in particular never did respond, and so when he showed up with a special request of particular character facet, I was unprepared. I still don't really know much about the odd feat character has and prestige class the player is heading for. While I am familiar with many facets of WoTC products and even some non-WoTC d20 products, I have virtually no knowledge regarding the world of Faerun. Hence, I request some input. The player showed up with a evocation-specialized wizard character who had a Faerun specific feat. Forgive me, I don't recall the name. I read the feat in one of his books, and gave it an initial thumbs-up acceptance keeping in mind that my main idea is to have fun. It essentially allows the wizard to absorb and store any directed arcane spell cast at the character, and eventually release the stored spell levels as a bolt of pure energy. During play of our first session, he was able to absorb 3 levels of spells (a magic missile and a Melf's Acid Arrow), and spent that energy to help take down an ogre which turned the tide of a major battle. One of my questions to Faerun-experienced players and DMs is: Does this feat seem overpowered? What are the drawbacks to such a power that is gained at 1st level? In the future, the wizard intends to join a prestige class. The player didn't have the book to show me the class and I am not familiar with it, so again, I don't know the name ... sorry. In essence, the player described the class as being able to retain the spells for longer lengths of time. So my finish-up question is: Will the prestige class that lengthens this feat power be overpowering? I suppose overpowering is relative in nature, but to me as DM, I would like some idea of how to handle an evocation-specialized wizard who will in many circumstances be able to do many more damage spells than a typical evocation-specialized wizard. Thanks for any input you'd like to convey.
Zanan 05-31-06, 05:20 PM	Unless I am mistaken, you speak of the spellfire feat. It is a first level feat, for one is usually born with spellfire and the ability to "process" it. Spellfire can become in annoyance in so far that any character can take it and essentially benefits from a "spell-storing" / "spell-turning" ability usually available only at high levels. One really has to check whether it could ruin a game. As far as I am concerned, it works best for NPCs. A weak character, such as a young sorcerer, could profit from it, though you have to read the rules on spellfire to make it work at a balanced level. For it does have some drawbacks too ... minor as they might seem.
Dwalon 05-31-06, 07:34 PM	Thank you for the input, Zanan. Spellfire ... that sounds like it may very well be the feat. The player did state it was necessary to take at 1st level. You mentioned Spellfire may help a weak character, such as a young sorcerer. Is this a feat that lessens in relative strength as a character progresses?
Alac Luin 05-31-06, 11:34 PM	You mentioned Spellfire may help a weak character, such as a young sorcerer. Is this a feat that lessens in relative strength as a character progresses? Definitely. The wielder needs to make a ranged touch attack and the target gets a ref save for half damage. The feat itself can almost be useless at higher levels, unless the PrC is taken. Even that just makes it more playable (read "balanced"). Up until level five or so it can turn the tide of battle, after that baddies will be less prone from taking that much damage from it. Half the damage is fire based so fire resistance or protection from fire will help monster survivability. Evasion can cause all those spellfire levels to be wasted.
The Ranger 05-31-06, 11:58 PM	I'm playing in a campaign where one of my fellow party members is a Spellfire-wielding paladin of Mystra, which has proven very interesting, particularly for my character, a Harper Mage sent to spy on him. While Spellfire is indeed powerful, that's exactly what makes it such a problem. You can't just start slinging great bolts of raw magical energy around -- people tend to notice that sort of thing. And since virtually every power group in Faerun wants to control someone that powerful their agents tend to descend on such beings with annoying regularity. There's also the problem of the character needing to absorb magic in order to make use of the talent and he can only hold so much power (even if he does take the Spellfire Wielder PRC) or he starts popping off great bursts of light whenever he's touched. Perhaps most importantly -- bad guys aren't stupid. if their spells keep getting absorbed by one particular character and thrown right back at them, they're going to stop pounding on that character with magic. And believe me as the party mage the last thing I want to do is spend all my time powering up Spellfire-boy with magic. By all means let the player take the Spellfire feat, but make sure that you temper it by having various groups trying to recruit, control, blackmail or just plain kill the character if he gets out of control. After all, unless he plans to flashfry everyone who witnesses his power, the word's going to get out.
Dwalon 06-01-06, 07:23 PM	These are the inputs I needed. Because I knew virtually nothing about the feat nor how it really worked, I truly appreciate the insights. Now I have a view to go on, and can better understand and prepare for character and his unique (to my group anyhow) quality.
Alac Luin 06-01-06, 07:42 PM	Ah, are you aware that by the RAW the charicter needs to "ready an action" to absorb spells? Many people have droped this and houserule it differently, but by the way it is written the charicter needs to ready an action so cant do anything else but take a 5 foot move on the round they absorb spells. Also by the RAW, the charicter cannot absorb area of effect spells. (no absorbing fireballs or Cone of Cold)
Ripe 06-02-06, 03:09 AM	Not to mention that unlike all the other Supernatural abilities Spellfire could be disrupted or countered and is affected by spell and magic items that could affect Spell-like abilities. Which makes the feat [and ability] almost completely useless.
Dwalon 06-02-06, 04:23 PM	Alan Luic, I did know about area attack spells not being absorbed, but not the "readying" requirement. When we play again later this month, I'll again read the player's book where the feat is listed. Readying to absorb will greatly limit the potential overbalancing, and make it much more palatable for me. Ripe, You mean disrupted like failing due to concentration checks?
Alac Luin 06-02-06, 07:12 PM	The information needed to handle spellfire is not listed in the feat. You need to read the Magic of Faerun (the tome the feat is in) page 17-19. Mostly, the 2nd column on page 18 (absorbing), and the 1st column on page 19 (using). Further about the ready action, here is what it says.... MoF pg 18 "A spellfire wielder can ready an action to absorb spells targeted at her as if she were a rod of absorption." Now, for some reason many people will claim something like ....(I've seen it here numerous times) "MoF is 3.0, but in 3.5 they changed the rod of absorption that this item no longer needs a ready action, so spellfire no longer needs a ready action." This is an untrue statement. Besides a few changes in pronouns (he or she to just she) there is little difference between the 3.0 and 3.5 rod of absorption. The "ready an action" had nothing to do with a rod of absorption, so don't let the player convince you that it does. I'm only trying to head off an issue that might arise.
Kessalin Talira 06-02-06, 11:24 PM	For future reference, the actual name of the feat is "Spellfire Wielder", and the name of the prestige class the player intends to enter is "Spellfire Channeler".
Ripe 06-03-06, 03:25 PM	...Ripe, You mean disrupted like failing due to concentration checks? That is exactly what I mean.
Dwalon 06-03-06, 03:56 PM	Thanks go out to everyone who helped me understand the feat and prestige class. I think I've got a decent feel for it now, which is exactly what I wanted in order to DM it adequately. Your inputs have been greatly appreciated!