A new spell Last Resort [Archive] - Wizards Community

A new spell Last Resort [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BattlemageLv57
11-29-06, 06:25 PM here it is

Last Resort

Evocation
Level: sor/wiz 9
components: V,S
Casting time: full round action
range: 30ft radius
Effect: Burst of magical energy extending 30 ft from you
Duration: instantanious
Save: Reflex for half

At the end of casting the spell all of the spells remaining are transfered into damage the damage is Spell level D6 of pure magical energy this is released in a self destructive blast the caster is reduced to -10 the Reflex save is 10 + caster level
Tenebrous_Sage
11-29-06, 06:36 PM Spell level should be 8th or 9th level.

Change the range to an actual distance, like 20 ft, and change the target line to "Effect: Burst of magical energy extending X ft from you."

The spell needs to say what type of energy is released. If it's pure magical energy (which I'm assuming it is) say so.

The spell should kill the caster outright (reduce to -10 HP) otherwise the spell is far to open to abuse.
BattlemageLv57
11-29-06, 06:50 PM Tenebrous_Sage Thanks for responding I wasn't to sure if it should kill them outright but I understand why it should so I think I'll change it to -10 insted
Lord_Tirian
11-29-06, 06:51 PM The spell should kill the caster outright (reduce to -10 HP) otherwise the spell is far to open to abuse.
QFT. Otherwise they'll slap a contingency on them with polymorph and heal themselves.
Tenebrous_Sage
11-29-06, 07:11 PM The spell block should, also include whether the spell allows SR and what (if any) save a character gets.
BattlemageLv57
11-29-06, 10:06 PM Is there anything else that may need to be changed.
stargate525
11-29-06, 10:12 PM Periods. Needs periods. Iu was out of breath by the end there.
Tenebrous_Sage
11-29-06, 10:13 PM A Spell Resistance line.
smrtgmp
11-29-06, 11:36 PM I dont think reducing someone to -10 is much of a balancing factor with spells like delay death floating around. There is another in the SC (and a psionic power) that allow you to raise someone within one round of their death without any sort of xp penalties.

I would have the body be reduced to ash so that the only way you can be brought back is via wish, miracle or true ressurection.

you might also want to concider changing the damage mechanic. The only time you would need to use this is when you're completely out of options, which means you wont have many spells left to use as fuel. Maybe something 2d8 per caster level or something similar.
DesertStar
11-30-06, 12:15 AM I think it would be cool if it reduced you to -9 or something so you have a very, very slim chance of surviving. I'm not familiar with delay death, isn't there some way to make it not work with this spell or something?
Tenebrous_Sage
11-30-06, 12:30 AM Good point smrtgmp.

The problem with the spell not killing you out right DesertStar is that, with things like contingency, delay death, and others there are far to many ways to insure that you would always survive.
[GSV] Kirstar
11-30-06, 05:27 AM should be body is reduced to ash, only wish mirracle or true resurection.

damage should be something like 2d6 or 2d8 per level... or use the lesser used d12, 2d12 per level :)

+1 damage per level of spell remaining.

so at maximum a 20th level wizard with full spell list would do....

40d"x" + 173

d6's = 140 + 173
d8's = 180 + 173
d12's = 260 + 173
Nom
11-30-06, 08:03 AM You're missing a more glaring problem: who would memorise this spell?

9th level slots are very precious. If you memorise this spell, you're doing so on the assumption that you're going to lose a battle that you know is coming. If you're not planning on losing, there are innumerable more useful spells that you could take in its place, including wish and several varieties of teleport.
Thiez
11-30-06, 08:08 AM I guess a quickened planeshift would be more useful. If you insist on kililng the caster, treat them as Disintegrated or Destruction'ed (yes it's "destroyed", but that could make it tricky to guess what spell was used :P).
smrtgmp
11-30-06, 07:52 PM You're missing a more glaring problem: who would memorise this spell?I figured it would be something you'd keep on a scroll or in a staff.

But I agree. I probably wouldnt prepare it either.
bitnine
11-30-06, 08:05 PM I think it would be cool if it reduced you to -9 or something so you have a very, very slim chance of surviving. I'm not familiar with delay death, isn't there some way to make it not work with this spell or something?Hm... I don't think that's impossible to accomplish, even if just a bit clunky. Perhaps something like this:

Have it have a duration of about a minute. At the start of the spell it blows up, reduces caster to -9, MDJ-style strips spells off of the caster to use as fuel. For the duration, any spell or supernatural effect affecting the caster kills him and reduces his body to ash instead of its normal effect. Same happens if it is dispelled early.

Add some crazy flavor text about spell energy and try and make the mechanics relatively readable and I think you might be able to pull it off. Still not sure that you'd wake up wanting to have this spell memorized too often.
stargate525
11-30-06, 08:19 PM Hm... I don't think that's impossible to accomplish, even if just a bit clunky. Perhaps something like this:

Have it have a duration of about a minute. At the start of the spell it blows up, reduces caster to -9, MDJ-style strips spells off of the caster to use as fuel. For the duration, any spell or supernatural effect affecting the caster kills him and reduces his body to ash instead of its normal effect. Same happens if it is dispelled early.

Add some crazy flavor text about spell energy and try and make the mechanics relatively readable and I think you might be able to pull it off. Still not sure that you'd wake up wanting to have this spell memorized too often.

Have any spell or spell-like ability in the area of effect not only turn them into dust, but fuel the spell as well.

I forsee wand weilding volunteers running into the enemy with this thing, then having wizards shoot spells at the blast radius from afar.
Tenebrous_Sage
11-30-06, 08:27 PM You're missing a more glaring problem: who would memorize this spell?You don't memorize spells like this, you contingency them.
Chrono Nexus
11-30-06, 08:34 PM Funny, I was going to make something like this for my red wizard... but it really should depend on the caster level of a caster. The only thing that deals damage by the level of a sacrificed spell slot rather than by level is spellfire (an archmage class feature).
What I'd do..
4d10 damage/level to a range of 10 ft.
2d10 damage/level 15-40 ft.
1d10 damage/level 45-120 ft.
:D
I think arcana unearthed had something like this.
I'm all for giving this a duration longer than instantaneous.
smrtgmp
11-30-06, 08:39 PM You don't memorize spells like this, you contingency them.Good point, though it could be dangerous depending on how you word the trigger.

You might as well have some nasty area death spell keyed to go off when you die. Why destroy your body in the process unless you dish out some truly horrific damage in return?
The Simbul
11-30-06, 10:21 PM This spell basically already exists..

Mycontil's Last Resort (Sor/Wiz9, Shining South p.48)
Tenebrous_Sage
11-30-06, 10:31 PM This spell basically already exists..

Mycontil's Last Resort (Sor/Wiz9, Shining South p.48)I thought I had seen something like this before, in D&D. Thanks for the information.
[GSV] Kirstar
12-02-06, 05:30 PM what about a spell you cast and then activate later. a sort of contingent effect
Kolsus_Hayl
12-02-06, 06:28 PM I do not agree with the seeming consensus here that this spell MUST cause death, thus I think its irrelevant whether or not death is avoidable.
First of all, a ninth level spell (with few exceptions) simply requires more words in its description - they are just that powerful. It's been pointed out, but the damage type needs to be specified, as well as spell resistance. The description is silent on whether the caster is effected by the burst (He is just mysteriously reduced to -10). Also, such an intense burst of magical energy must have some other effects. What happens to spells that are active on the caster, or on other creatures or objects. If the caster faces some survivor of their Last Resort without magic protection (and of course without spells), that could be considered a major drawback for those eager to slap one on.
Those are just some ideas. I really was surprised to see a ninth level spell description posted with so little weight.
For those who think the spell does require death, I make two references. 1. Earthquake 2. The multitude of effects (below ninth level) that convert spell levels to d6's.
Tyrf_Halden
12-02-06, 07:09 PM You could make it similar to when you snap a Staff of Power.
A staff of power can be used for a retributive strike, requiring it to be broken by its wielder. (If this breaking of the staff is purposeful and declared by the wielder, it can be performed as a standard action that does not require the wielder to make a Strength check.) All charges currently in the staff are instantly released in a 30-foot radius. All within 2 squares of the broken staff take points of damage equal to 8 × the number of charges in the staff, those 3 or 4 squares away take 6 × the number of charges in damage, and those 5 or 6 squares distant take 4 × the number of charges in damage. All those affected can make DC 17 Reflex saves to reduce the damage by half.

The character breaking the staff has a 50% chance of traveling to another plane of existence, but if he does not, the explosive release of spell energy destroys him. Only certain items, including the staff of the magi and the staff of power, are capable of being used for a retributive strike. (Hopes that its ok that I post that. It's been a long day and I don't feel like re-reading the CoC. So if I can't tell me and I'll remove this.)

I just looked at the Mycontil's Last Resort and it actually includes that in the description of the spell, who knew?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BattlemageLv57 11-29-06, 06:25 PM	here it is Last Resort Evocation Level: sor/wiz 9 components: V,S Casting time: full round action range: 30ft radius Effect: Burst of magical energy extending 30 ft from you Duration: instantanious Save: Reflex for half At the end of casting the spell all of the spells remaining are transfered into damage the damage is Spell level D6 of pure magical energy this is released in a self destructive blast the caster is reduced to -10 the Reflex save is 10 + caster level
Tenebrous_Sage 11-29-06, 06:36 PM	Spell level should be 8th or 9th level. Change the range to an actual distance, like 20 ft, and change the target line to "Effect: Burst of magical energy extending X ft from you." The spell needs to say what type of energy is released. If it's pure magical energy (which I'm assuming it is) say so. The spell should kill the caster outright (reduce to -10 HP) otherwise the spell is far to open to abuse.
BattlemageLv57 11-29-06, 06:50 PM	Tenebrous_Sage Thanks for responding I wasn't to sure if it should kill them outright but I understand why it should so I think I'll change it to -10 insted
Lord_Tirian 11-29-06, 06:51 PM	The spell should kill the caster outright (reduce to -10 HP) otherwise the spell is far to open to abuse. QFT. Otherwise they'll slap a contingency on them with polymorph and heal themselves.
Tenebrous_Sage 11-29-06, 07:11 PM	The spell block should, also include whether the spell allows SR and what (if any) save a character gets.
BattlemageLv57 11-29-06, 10:06 PM	Is there anything else that may need to be changed.
stargate525 11-29-06, 10:12 PM	Periods. Needs periods. Iu was out of breath by the end there.
Tenebrous_Sage 11-29-06, 10:13 PM	A Spell Resistance line.
smrtgmp 11-29-06, 11:36 PM	I dont think reducing someone to -10 is much of a balancing factor with spells like delay death floating around. There is another in the SC (and a psionic power) that allow you to raise someone within one round of their death without any sort of xp penalties. I would have the body be reduced to ash so that the only way you can be brought back is via wish, miracle or true ressurection. you might also want to concider changing the damage mechanic. The only time you would need to use this is when you're completely out of options, which means you wont have many spells left to use as fuel. Maybe something 2d8 per caster level or something similar.
DesertStar 11-30-06, 12:15 AM	I think it would be cool if it reduced you to -9 or something so you have a very, very slim chance of surviving. I'm not familiar with delay death, isn't there some way to make it not work with this spell or something?
Tenebrous_Sage 11-30-06, 12:30 AM	Good point smrtgmp. The problem with the spell not killing you out right DesertStar is that, with things like contingency, delay death, and others there are far to many ways to insure that you would always survive.
[GSV] Kirstar 11-30-06, 05:27 AM	should be body is reduced to ash, only wish mirracle or true resurection. damage should be something like 2d6 or 2d8 per level... or use the lesser used d12, 2d12 per level :) +1 damage per level of spell remaining. so at maximum a 20th level wizard with full spell list would do.... 40d"x" + 173 d6's = 140 + 173 d8's = 180 + 173 d12's = 260 + 173
Nom 11-30-06, 08:03 AM	You're missing a more glaring problem: who would memorise this spell? 9th level slots are very precious. If you memorise this spell, you're doing so on the assumption that you're going to lose a battle that you know is coming. If you're not planning on losing, there are innumerable more useful spells that you could take in its place, including wish and several varieties of teleport.
Thiez 11-30-06, 08:08 AM	I guess a quickened planeshift would be more useful. If you insist on kililng the caster, treat them as Disintegrated or Destruction'ed (yes it's "destroyed", but that could make it tricky to guess what spell was used :P).
smrtgmp 11-30-06, 07:52 PM	You're missing a more glaring problem: who would memorise this spell?I figured it would be something you'd keep on a scroll or in a staff. But I agree. I probably wouldnt prepare it either.
bitnine 11-30-06, 08:05 PM	I think it would be cool if it reduced you to -9 or something so you have a very, very slim chance of surviving. I'm not familiar with delay death, isn't there some way to make it not work with this spell or something?Hm... I don't think that's impossible to accomplish, even if just a bit clunky. Perhaps something like this: Have it have a duration of about a minute. At the start of the spell it blows up, reduces caster to -9, MDJ-style strips spells off of the caster to use as fuel. For the duration, any spell or supernatural effect affecting the caster kills him and reduces his body to ash instead of its normal effect. Same happens if it is dispelled early. Add some crazy flavor text about spell energy and try and make the mechanics relatively readable and I think you might be able to pull it off. Still not sure that you'd wake up wanting to have this spell memorized too often.
stargate525 11-30-06, 08:19 PM	Hm... I don't think that's impossible to accomplish, even if just a bit clunky. Perhaps something like this: Have it have a duration of about a minute. At the start of the spell it blows up, reduces caster to -9, MDJ-style strips spells off of the caster to use as fuel. For the duration, any spell or supernatural effect affecting the caster kills him and reduces his body to ash instead of its normal effect. Same happens if it is dispelled early. Add some crazy flavor text about spell energy and try and make the mechanics relatively readable and I think you might be able to pull it off. Still not sure that you'd wake up wanting to have this spell memorized too often. Have any spell or spell-like ability in the area of effect not only turn them into dust, but fuel the spell as well. I forsee wand weilding volunteers running into the enemy with this thing, then having wizards shoot spells at the blast radius from afar.
Tenebrous_Sage 11-30-06, 08:27 PM	You're missing a more glaring problem: who would memorize this spell?You don't memorize spells like this, you contingency them.
Chrono Nexus 11-30-06, 08:34 PM	Funny, I was going to make something like this for my red wizard... but it really should depend on the caster level of a caster. The only thing that deals damage by the level of a sacrificed spell slot rather than by level is spellfire (an archmage class feature). What I'd do.. 4d10 damage/level to a range of 10 ft. 2d10 damage/level 15-40 ft. 1d10 damage/level 45-120 ft. :D I think arcana unearthed had something like this. I'm all for giving this a duration longer than instantaneous.
smrtgmp 11-30-06, 08:39 PM	You don't memorize spells like this, you contingency them.Good point, though it could be dangerous depending on how you word the trigger. You might as well have some nasty area death spell keyed to go off when you die. Why destroy your body in the process unless you dish out some truly horrific damage in return?
The Simbul 11-30-06, 10:21 PM	This spell basically already exists.. Mycontil's Last Resort (Sor/Wiz9, Shining South p.48)
Tenebrous_Sage 11-30-06, 10:31 PM	This spell basically already exists.. Mycontil's Last Resort (Sor/Wiz9, Shining South p.48)I thought I had seen something like this before, in D&D. Thanks for the information.
[GSV] Kirstar 12-02-06, 05:30 PM	what about a spell you cast and then activate later. a sort of contingent effect
Kolsus_Hayl 12-02-06, 06:28 PM	I do not agree with the seeming consensus here that this spell MUST cause death, thus I think its irrelevant whether or not death is avoidable. First of all, a ninth level spell (with few exceptions) simply requires more words in its description - they are just that powerful. It's been pointed out, but the damage type needs to be specified, as well as spell resistance. The description is silent on whether the caster is effected by the burst (He is just mysteriously reduced to -10). Also, such an intense burst of magical energy must have some other effects. What happens to spells that are active on the caster, or on other creatures or objects. If the caster faces some survivor of their Last Resort without magic protection (and of course without spells), that could be considered a major drawback for those eager to slap one on. Those are just some ideas. I really was surprised to see a ninth level spell description posted with so little weight. For those who think the spell does require death, I make two references. 1. Earthquake 2. The multitude of effects (below ninth level) that convert spell levels to d6's.
Tyrf_Halden 12-02-06, 07:09 PM	You could make it similar to when you snap a Staff of Power. A staff of power can be used for a retributive strike, requiring it to be broken by its wielder. (If this breaking of the staff is purposeful and declared by the wielder, it can be performed as a standard action that does not require the wielder to make a Strength check.) All charges currently in the staff are instantly released in a 30-foot radius. All within 2 squares of the broken staff take points of damage equal to 8 × the number of charges in the staff, those 3 or 4 squares away take 6 × the number of charges in damage, and those 5 or 6 squares distant take 4 × the number of charges in damage. All those affected can make DC 17 Reflex saves to reduce the damage by half. The character breaking the staff has a 50% chance of traveling to another plane of existence, but if he does not, the explosive release of spell energy destroys him. Only certain items, including the staff of the magi and the staff of power, are capable of being used for a retributive strike. (Hopes that its ok that I post that. It's been a long day and I don't feel like re-reading the CoC. So if I can't tell me and I'll remove this.) I just looked at the Mycontil's Last Resort and it actually includes that in the description of the spell, who knew?