Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Your Immortal DM 09-07-04, 09:01 AM	I have a wizard player who wishes to create a 9th level spell that duplicates the effect of a mirror of opposition. I am trying to come up with a ‘balanced’ yet worthwhile spell that does what he wants. I am using supplements such as MoF, UE, BoVD, BoED, etc. (so…no problem power wise based on what I’ve allowed into the campaign thus far) I looked at the mirror of opposition and it has the following characteristics: Price 92,000 gp, functions 4 times per day, uses the clone spell as a prerequisite, has no saving throw to resist it’s effects (pretty darn powerful). The closest 9th level core spell I could think of (as a base) that forces the enemy to fight a really powerful “something” else is gate (which also has no save to ‘resist’ its effect). This is what I came up with: ELRIC’S BANEFUL OPPOSITION Necromancy Level: Sor/Wiz 9 Components: V, S, M, XP Casting Time: 1 round Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target: One large sized or smaller creature Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No This spell creates an exact duplicate of a creature complete with all possessions and powers of its original (including magic). This effect is just as a mirror of opposition. Upon the defeat or destruction of either the duplicate or the original, the duplicate and her items disappear completely. This spell can cannot duplicate a creature who’s HD is greater than twice your caster level. Material Components: A finely polished mirror. XP Cost: 1,000 XP Several key points I would like to address: 1) Should I keep the spell in the school of Necromancy as the prerequisite clone spell or would Illusion (Shadow) suit it better? 2) I made the casting time 1 round instead of gate’s 1 standard action cause normally you’d have to fetch a mirror of opposition out of wherever you’re holding it in (MEA) – does this seem reasonable? 3) I made the Target: one creature of large size or smaller because realistically, that’s the biggest image you could fit in a 4 x 3 mirror – does this limitation seem reasonable? 4) I made it Saving Throw: None & Spell Resistance: No because the mirror of opposition, the gate spell, and the simulacrum spell had none – does this seem reasonable? 5) I limited the HD for game balance and to be in line with the power of a gate spell – does this limitation seem reasonable? What do you think overall (comments please)? Your Immortal DM
tarkin 09-07-04, 02:56 PM	That spell should be changed as follows: SR: Yes. Ranged Touch attack required. As it is a "clone" type thing, there should be some possibliity of the clone attacking you. I think the best way to do this is to specify that both the original and the clone still do not like you and are allowed to use attacks that affect both you and their "primary target" (clone/original). (Fireball, breath weapons, etc.) My general rule for SR is to remember that creatures that are 'immune to magic' are only immune to magic that SR would protect against. So ask yourself should a creature that is 'immune to magic' be immune to this spell? I say that SR should definitely apply, this is not like we are gating something in from someplace else, we are applying magic to the creature in order to copy them. And the spell is very powerfull, basically it takes the victim out of the fight with you and pretty much either kills him or tremoundously weakens him. A ranged to hit should pretty much be neccessary. And if I were attacked with this spell I certainly would try to attack both the caster of this spell and the clone simultaneously. Considering the clone will vanish at the end of the spell, and the many creatures that do not have area attacks, a good safeguard seems to me to be to let the clone act in a similar manner. With all of these changes, this spell is still pretty powerfull, IF used intelligently. Against an armored fighter type it would crush him. The fighter type would have a crappy Touch AC, no SR, and no area attacks.
Your Immortal DM 09-07-04, 03:57 PM	SR: No (here is why) 1) Game wise: It should be as powerful as a gate spell or a mirror of opposition considering the limitations and XP cost. The spells magic energies aren't focused directly against the target creature. Like a divination, it looks the target over, then creates a duplicate to match the original - very similar to a Conjuration (Creation) effect. 2) Flavor wise: Necromancy would create a 'real' version of the target - like a copy from a mirror universe; Illusion (Shadow) would create a temporary quasi-real version - just like how shades duplicates a Conjuration (Creation) spell. Touch Attack - why? It's subject to targeting restrictions and protections like spell turning. Also, a mirror of opposition doesn't require a touch attack - seems a spell that works like it should effective at a similar range. Also, its in line with the power of a gate spell...I think touch would be too limiting. Clone attack you - why? A gated creature doesn't attack you and a mirror of opposition duplicate just attacks the original. I don't see any rationale for that. And the spell is very powerfull, basically it takes the victim out of the fight with you and pretty much either kills him or tremoundously weakens him. A ranged to hit should pretty much be neccessary. Yeah but gating in any of the following is just as bad: Solar, Balor, Black Slaad (ELH), Chronotyryn (MM2), Klurichir (MM2), Paeliryoth (MM2), Myrmyxicus (MM2), Uvuudaum (ELH), Radiant Dragon (DRA), Styx Dragon (DRA) If you can do all that for 1,000 XP with no ranged touch and no SR and no chance of spell turning or having to target the creature in any way my spell seems balanced as is. Your Immortal DM