A Power Word Pain Fix [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Power Word Pain Fix [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Witch
08-17-06, 06:57 PM Power Word Pain
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One living creature with 50 hp or less
Duration: 1d4 rounds
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

You utter a single word of power that brings extreme pain upon a target. Immediately, and fevery round for 1d4 rounds after, the creature takes 1d6 points of damage. Any creature that currently has 51 or more hit points is unaffected by power word pain.
smrtgmp
08-17-06, 07:05 PM I wouldnt cast it. It almost seems like a waste of an action.
Witch
08-17-06, 07:07 PM Would that change if I bumped the duration to 1d4+1 rounds?
camble
08-17-06, 07:41 PM maybe if the spell caused penalties to those effected it would help. such as a sickened status. Changing the duration would also help. Maybe 1d3+1 rounds or 1d4+1. You could also make it 1 round per 3 or 4 levels. I believe the last choice would probably be best since it allows the spell to scale a little better.
runestar
08-17-06, 11:42 PM So long as you limit the original power word: pain solely to PCs and not let NPCs use it, there's really isn't anything broken about it. :)
smrtgmp
08-18-06, 01:18 AM I'd say that makes it inherently broken. This isnt final fantasy.

Besides, thats just not true. When used with hit and run tactics, its (practically) guaranteed to wipe out any low level enemy. It averages 35 points of damage against creatures with 25 or fewer hp, and most creatures low enough in level to have that low of an hp total will also lack the means to stave off the spell. Its especially bad agaisnt 1st level enemies.

As to the proposed fix, I did the following in my game. Feel free to use as much of as little of this as you like.

Same as RoD version, with the following exceptions:

Remove the normal damage. Each round the target takes 1 point of damage and a -1 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill and ability checks.

I kept the decreasing duration, as I felt that was in line with the non-instantaneous power words.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Witch 08-17-06, 06:57 PM	Power Word Pain Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting] Level: Sor/Wiz 1 Components: V Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target: One living creature with 50 hp or less Duration: 1d4 rounds Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: Yes You utter a single word of power that brings extreme pain upon a target. Immediately, and fevery round for 1d4 rounds after, the creature takes 1d6 points of damage. Any creature that currently has 51 or more hit points is unaffected by power word pain.
smrtgmp 08-17-06, 07:05 PM	I wouldnt cast it. It almost seems like a waste of an action.
Witch 08-17-06, 07:07 PM	Would that change if I bumped the duration to 1d4+1 rounds?
camble 08-17-06, 07:41 PM	maybe if the spell caused penalties to those effected it would help. such as a sickened status. Changing the duration would also help. Maybe 1d3+1 rounds or 1d4+1. You could also make it 1 round per 3 or 4 levels. I believe the last choice would probably be best since it allows the spell to scale a little better.
runestar 08-17-06, 11:42 PM	So long as you limit the original power word: pain solely to PCs and not let NPCs use it, there's really isn't anything broken about it. :)
smrtgmp 08-18-06, 01:18 AM	I'd say that makes it inherently broken. This isnt final fantasy. Besides, thats just not true. When used with hit and run tactics, its (practically) guaranteed to wipe out any low level enemy. It averages 35 points of damage against creatures with 25 or fewer hp, and most creatures low enough in level to have that low of an hp total will also lack the means to stave off the spell. Its especially bad agaisnt 1st level enemies. As to the proposed fix, I did the following in my game. Feel free to use as much of as little of this as you like. Same as RoD version, with the following exceptions: Remove the normal damage. Each round the target takes 1 point of damage and a -1 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill and ability checks. I kept the decreasing duration, as I felt that was in line with the non-instantaneous power words.