Alternative Curses for Bestow Curse [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternative Curses for Bestow Curse [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
jhosmer
03-28-07, 02:25 PM The description for Bestow Curse says:

Choose one of the following three effects.

-6 decrease to an ability score (minimum 1).
-4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks.
Each turn, the target has a 50% chance to act normally; otherwise, it takes no action.

You may also invent your own curse, but it should be no more powerful than those described above.

Maybe it's just me, but those three options don't give me a lot to go on when adjudicating alternate curses. I have a vague memory of either a WOTC book or a forum post giving more insight into the matter. Can anyone help me find this again, or suggest good alternate curses?
Thiez
03-28-07, 02:34 PM I think BoVD gives new curses.
Bringer of autumn
03-28-07, 02:34 PM 50% chance they mis-cast

Whenever they make a move action they must pass a Balance check (the DC must be decided accordingly) or fall

Weapons do non-leathal damage
tarkin
03-28-07, 02:43 PM The Balance check is too powerful.

1. Bestow Curse is permanent.

2. When you are making a balance check, you are considered flat-footed (unless you have 5 ranks in Balance)

Bestow Curse is just a 3rd level spell for clerics, so permanetly flat-footing someone is way too powerfull for a 3rd level spell.

Flat footed means in addition to risking them falling, they also lose their Dex to AC, can not take any AoO's (unless they have Combat Reflexes), and can now be sneak attacked.
lint trap
03-28-07, 03:23 PM Dragon magazine #348 has a whole section devoted to alternate curses (and greater curses). Doubt the CoC will let me reprint any here, though.
Madsamurai
03-28-07, 11:46 PM The Balance check is too powerful.

1. Bestow Curse is permanent.

2. When you are making a balance check, you are considered flat-footed (unless you have 5 ranks in Balance)

Bestow Curse is just a 3rd level spell for clerics, so permanetly flat-footing someone is way too powerfull for a 3rd level spell.

Flat footed means in addition to risking them falling, they also lose their Dex to AC, can not take any AoO's (unless they have Combat Reflexes), and can now be sneak attacked.

To be fair, they would only be considered flat footed if they are moveing so if the cursed creature stands still they are ok. So basically, this curse acts as a long term single target entangle-like effect.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jhosmer 03-28-07, 02:25 PM	The description for Bestow Curse says: Choose one of the following three effects. -6 decrease to an ability score (minimum 1). -4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks. Each turn, the target has a 50% chance to act normally; otherwise, it takes no action. You may also invent your own curse, but it should be no more powerful than those described above. Maybe it's just me, but those three options don't give me a lot to go on when adjudicating alternate curses. I have a vague memory of either a WOTC book or a forum post giving more insight into the matter. Can anyone help me find this again, or suggest good alternate curses?
Thiez 03-28-07, 02:34 PM	I think BoVD gives new curses.
Bringer of autumn 03-28-07, 02:34 PM	50% chance they mis-cast Whenever they make a move action they must pass a Balance check (the DC must be decided accordingly) or fall Weapons do non-leathal damage
tarkin 03-28-07, 02:43 PM	The Balance check is too powerful. 1. Bestow Curse is permanent. 2. When you are making a balance check, you are considered flat-footed (unless you have 5 ranks in Balance) Bestow Curse is just a 3rd level spell for clerics, so permanetly flat-footing someone is way too powerfull for a 3rd level spell. Flat footed means in addition to risking them falling, they also lose their Dex to AC, can not take any AoO's (unless they have Combat Reflexes), and can now be sneak attacked.
lint trap 03-28-07, 03:23 PM	Dragon magazine #348 has a whole section devoted to alternate curses (and greater curses). Doubt the CoC will let me reprint any here, though.
Madsamurai 03-28-07, 11:46 PM	The Balance check is too powerful. 1. Bestow Curse is permanent. 2. When you are making a balance check, you are considered flat-footed (unless you have 5 ranks in Balance) Bestow Curse is just a 3rd level spell for clerics, so permanetly flat-footing someone is way too powerfull for a 3rd level spell. Flat footed means in addition to risking them falling, they also lose their Dex to AC, can not take any AoO's (unless they have Combat Reflexes), and can now be sneak attacked. To be fair, they would only be considered flat footed if they are moveing so if the cursed creature stands still they are ok. So basically, this curse acts as a long term single target entangle-like effect.