Aura of Retribution [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aura of Retribution [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
redraven
06-29-04, 03:41 PM I have always had a fascination with the Jovac demons (MM2 p. 58) and their Aura of Retribution, since there isn't anything quite like that Aura anywhere else. Since I happen to be playing a high-level cleric of St. Cuthbert in a campaign, I was wondering if you guys think the following spell is balanced:

Aura of Retribution
Abjuration [Law]
Level: Clr 8
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 30 ft.
Area: 30-ft.-radius spread, centered on you
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Spell Resistance: Yes; see text

By casting this spell you channel the qualities of St. Cuthbert, god of retribution. Whenever you take HP damage from any source, you immediately deal an equal amount of damage to all foes within 30 feet. A successful Fortitude save reduces this damage by half. Spell Resistance can prevent this damage, but is checked each time the Aura of Retribution deals damage. Allies are not subject to this damage, and overlapping Auras of Retribution do not stack. Regardless of the source of the initial damage, the damage dealt by the Aura of Retribution is considered divine and thus not subject to negation or reduction because of elemental resistance, immunity, damage reduction, and the like.

[Edited per suggestions]

Does the level look correct? How about the duration? I was basically basing it straight off the Jovac's Aura description and the only other two spells that do something similar, End to Strife (BoED p. 98) and Affinity Field (XPH p. 75). End to Strife is 9th-level, but deals 20d6 damage in a bigger spread, so I lowered Aura of Retribution's level. Affinity Field is a 9th-level spell that does the same thing that Aura of Retribution does (return damage), but Affinity Field also cures HP and shares up to 3rd-level psionic spells to all in the area of effect.

Any comments or critiques welcome.

-Red Raven
Pentar
06-29-04, 03:50 PM Wow.

That's powerful. I don't have the text for either of the other two spells you've cited, but I think the first thing I would do is suggest you make the damage type Divine. At least that gives it a damage category and it sort of makes sense. That and anything that Divine would normally affect would take hold (although I don't believe there is any type of damage resistance that would prevent Divine).

The duration is long, in terms of combat-length, but I suppose it's fine.

Because this is a 7th level spell, and because it is a 30' spread targetting only enemies (i.e. allies immune), I would cap the damage to maybe 50 points from a single hit. Afterall, if you take a particularly nasty hit from a Dragon breath or something, or even a maximized fireball/lightning bolt that you failed a save on, then that would deal a ridiculous amount of return damage to all badguys in the area of effect.

That, or specify that the damage source must be a melee damage source and not spell, spell-like ability or supernatural ability.

In addition to which, usually (from what I've seen) most spells that allow a Saving Throw, also allow Spell Resistance.
redraven
06-29-04, 04:14 PM Now that I think of it, the Jovac's Aura probably did not allow SR because it was a Supernatural ability. I'll probably change the damage to divine as well, for consistency's sake.

End to Strife basically says that any creature that makes any attack within 80 feet of you takes 20d6 points of (unspecified) damage after each attack (no save).

Affinity Field basically says that all damage dealt to you is also dealt to all creatures within 20 feet (no save). If you are healed, all creatures are healed the same amount (no save). If you are the subject of any 3rd-level or lower spell, all creatures are subject to the exact same effects (Fort negates).

Aura of Retribution does allow a Fort save for half damage though. Also keep in mind that Harm is 6th level and spells like Holy Word are 7th level. I suppose it could be argued that because Aura of Retribution does not effect allies it is by default more powerful, but in the Maximized Fireball cases it would only return that damage if the Wizard was within 30 feet (sort of silly, because the Wizard could be hitting himself with his own spell anyway).

-Red Raven
Pentar
06-29-04, 04:31 PM Originally posted by redraven
End to Strife basically says that any creature that makes any attack within 80 feet of you takes 20d6 points of (unspecified) damage after each attack (no save).

Affinity Field basically says that all damage dealt to you is also dealt to all creatures within 20 feet (no save). If you are healed, all creatures are healed the same amount (no save). If you are the subject of any 3rd-level or lower spell, all creatures are subject to the exact same effects (Fort negates).

Well, in both these cases, they are 9th level spells. In addition to which, Affinity Field also allows beneficial effects to be shared amongst the targets. Yours only shares damage and makes no mention about healing (unless that was assumed to be true too).

Aura of Retribution does allow a Fort save for half damage though. Also keep in mind that Harm is 6th level and spells like Holy Word are 7th level. I suppose it could be argued that because Aura of Retribution does not effect allies it is by default more powerful, but in the Maximized Fireball cases it would only return that damage if the Wizard was within 30 feet (sort of silly, because the Wizard could be hitting himself with his own spell anyway).

True, but the point isn't that it's hitting just the Wizard back, it's that hitting (potentially) all of the wizard's allies, or summoned monsters and minions, with Divine damage, no less. So it couldn't even be that the Wizard summons an fire elemental, hits you with a max. fireball for 60 damage and the elemental is immune to the damage because it's fire damage. Instead, it gets converted to Divine, nails the elemental as well.

I'm also thinking in cases of many more badguys. 30' radius is huge. A fireball only has a 20' blast radius.

You may also want to clairify damage. What happens with ability score damage, or negative level damage?
redraven
06-29-04, 07:52 PM Hmm. I think I'll go ahead and up the spell level to 8th and clarify that only HP damage is shared. After all, the spell could be easily abused as a cheap way of bypassing DR and immunities just like the Jovacs themselves do (attacking each other so as to deal damage to everyone around them).

With that said, do you think that the spell level could be lower if the spell was more of a Sanctuary-esque spell (i.e. if the Aura of Retribution cleric attacked someone or targeted them with a spell, the spell would end)? If so, by how much?

-Red Raven
fish_heads
06-30-04, 10:38 PM I never liked Jovacs. The next time one of my characters gets thrown out of a bar, I'm going to catch a jovac in a bag, walk back into the bar, and start beating the sack against the wall.

I seem to get thrown out of bars in every campaign I play in, largely because of party members' antics. Who knew that gnomish barbarians and elven rogues could be so crazy in public?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
redraven 06-29-04, 03:41 PM	I have always had a fascination with the Jovac demons (MM2 p. 58) and their Aura of Retribution, since there isn't anything quite like that Aura anywhere else. Since I happen to be playing a high-level cleric of St. Cuthbert in a campaign, I was wondering if you guys think the following spell is balanced: Aura of Retribution Abjuration [Law] Level: Clr 8 Components: V, S, DF Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: 30 ft. Area: 30-ft.-radius spread, centered on you Duration: 1 minute/level Saving Throw: Fortitude half Spell Resistance: Yes; see text By casting this spell you channel the qualities of St. Cuthbert, god of retribution. Whenever you take HP damage from any source, you immediately deal an equal amount of damage to all foes within 30 feet. A successful Fortitude save reduces this damage by half. Spell Resistance can prevent this damage, but is checked each time the Aura of Retribution deals damage. Allies are not subject to this damage, and overlapping Auras of Retribution do not stack. Regardless of the source of the initial damage, the damage dealt by the Aura of Retribution is considered divine and thus not subject to negation or reduction because of elemental resistance, immunity, damage reduction, and the like. [Edited per suggestions] Does the level look correct? How about the duration? I was basically basing it straight off the Jovac's Aura description and the only other two spells that do something similar, End to Strife (BoED p. 98) and Affinity Field (XPH p. 75). End to Strife is 9th-level, but deals 20d6 damage in a bigger spread, so I lowered Aura of Retribution's level. Affinity Field is a 9th-level spell that does the same thing that Aura of Retribution does (return damage), but Affinity Field also cures HP and shares up to 3rd-level psionic spells to all in the area of effect. Any comments or critiques welcome. -Red Raven
Pentar 06-29-04, 03:50 PM	Wow. That's powerful. I don't have the text for either of the other two spells you've cited, but I think the first thing I would do is suggest you make the damage type Divine. At least that gives it a damage category and it sort of makes sense. That and anything that Divine would normally affect would take hold (although I don't believe there is any type of damage resistance that would prevent Divine). The duration is long, in terms of combat-length, but I suppose it's fine. Because this is a 7th level spell, and because it is a 30' spread targetting only enemies (i.e. allies immune), I would cap the damage to maybe 50 points from a single hit. Afterall, if you take a particularly nasty hit from a Dragon breath or something, or even a maximized fireball/lightning bolt that you failed a save on, then that would deal a ridiculous amount of return damage to all badguys in the area of effect. That, or specify that the damage source must be a melee damage source and not spell, spell-like ability or supernatural ability. In addition to which, usually (from what I've seen) most spells that allow a Saving Throw, also allow Spell Resistance.
redraven 06-29-04, 04:14 PM	Now that I think of it, the Jovac's Aura probably did not allow SR because it was a Supernatural ability. I'll probably change the damage to divine as well, for consistency's sake. End to Strife basically says that any creature that makes any attack within 80 feet of you takes 20d6 points of (unspecified) damage after each attack (no save). Affinity Field basically says that all damage dealt to you is also dealt to all creatures within 20 feet (no save). If you are healed, all creatures are healed the same amount (no save). If you are the subject of any 3rd-level or lower spell, all creatures are subject to the exact same effects (Fort negates). Aura of Retribution does allow a Fort save for half damage though. Also keep in mind that Harm is 6th level and spells like Holy Word are 7th level. I suppose it could be argued that because Aura of Retribution does not effect allies it is by default more powerful, but in the Maximized Fireball cases it would only return that damage if the Wizard was within 30 feet (sort of silly, because the Wizard could be hitting himself with his own spell anyway). -Red Raven
Pentar 06-29-04, 04:31 PM	Originally posted by redraven End to Strife basically says that any creature that makes any attack within 80 feet of you takes 20d6 points of (unspecified) damage after each attack (no save). Affinity Field basically says that all damage dealt to you is also dealt to all creatures within 20 feet (no save). If you are healed, all creatures are healed the same amount (no save). If you are the subject of any 3rd-level or lower spell, all creatures are subject to the exact same effects (Fort negates). Well, in both these cases, they are 9th level spells. In addition to which, Affinity Field also allows beneficial effects to be shared amongst the targets. Yours only shares damage and makes no mention about healing (unless that was assumed to be true too). Aura of Retribution does allow a Fort save for half damage though. Also keep in mind that Harm is 6th level and spells like Holy Word are 7th level. I suppose it could be argued that because Aura of Retribution does not effect allies it is by default more powerful, but in the Maximized Fireball cases it would only return that damage if the Wizard was within 30 feet (sort of silly, because the Wizard could be hitting himself with his own spell anyway). True, but the point isn't that it's hitting just the Wizard back, it's that hitting (potentially) all of the wizard's allies, or summoned monsters and minions, with Divine damage, no less. So it couldn't even be that the Wizard summons an fire elemental, hits you with a max. fireball for 60 damage and the elemental is immune to the damage because it's fire damage. Instead, it gets converted to Divine, nails the elemental as well. I'm also thinking in cases of many more badguys. 30' radius is huge. A fireball only has a 20' blast radius. You may also want to clairify damage. What happens with ability score damage, or negative level damage?
redraven 06-29-04, 07:52 PM	Hmm. I think I'll go ahead and up the spell level to 8th and clarify that only HP damage is shared. After all, the spell could be easily abused as a cheap way of bypassing DR and immunities just like the Jovacs themselves do (attacking each other so as to deal damage to everyone around them). With that said, do you think that the spell level could be lower if the spell was more of a Sanctuary-esque spell (i.e. if the Aura of Retribution cleric attacked someone or targeted them with a spell, the spell would end)? If so, by how much? -Red Raven
fish_heads 06-30-04, 10:38 PM	I never liked Jovacs. The next time one of my characters gets thrown out of a bar, I'm going to catch a jovac in a bag, walk back into the bar, and start beating the sack against the wall. I seem to get thrown out of bars in every campaign I play in, largely because of party members' antics. Who knew that gnomish barbarians and elven rogues could be so crazy in public?