Balance this spell [Archive] - Wizards Community

Balance this spell [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Elandar
06-16-04, 06:13 AM I found this spell in Relics and Rituals II:

Affliction (Relics & Rituals II)
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saving Throw: Special (See text)
Spell Resistance: Yes
Description: Believed to be the invention of the mysterious wizard-sage Yugman, this spell is said to be used by the scholar to discourage uninvited guests and those who would approach his tower without leave. Victims often find themselves wandering in the nearby wilderness, feeling weak, stupid, and unattractive.
Spell Effect: A pale multicolored beam leaps from the caster's palm, sapping the target's mental and physical attributes. If the caster succeeds at a ranged touch attack, the target must make six separate saves: three Will saves (for Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) and three Fortitude saves (for Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution). Each failed save results in a loss of 1d6 points of the corresponding attribute for the duration of the spell, plus 1 point/2 caster levels. These saves are made simultaneously, so reductions of attributes do not affect any other saves. An attribute cannot be reduced to less than 1 by this spell.

and I like the idea in this spell, but it sounds quite overpowered to me. I'd like to hear some opinions about whether you think this spell is overpowered or not, and if you can compare this spell to another fourth level spell showing that it is or is not overpowered. Finally, I'm interested in ideas to balance this spell (that is, if it's overpowered :) )
tarkin
06-16-04, 10:47 AM Simple way to balance the spell:

(Step zero remember not to buy Relics & Rituals II)

Replace words

1d6 points of the corresponding attribute for the duration of the spell, plus 1 point/2 caster levels

with

"1d4 points of the corresponding attribute"
smrtgmp
06-17-04, 06:16 AM I'd make it a flat 1d6 from each attribute but bump it up to 5th level.

Touch of idiocy is 2nd level and does 1d6 to all the mental attributes, so I could also see this as a 4th level spell as is (without the level dependent increase to attribute damage) if it had a range of touch.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Elandar 06-16-04, 06:13 AM	I found this spell in Relics and Rituals II: Affliction (Relics & Rituals II) Transmutation Level: Sor/Wiz 4 Components: V, S, M Casting Time: 1 action Range: Close Effect: Ray Duration: 1 hour/level Saving Throw: Special (See text) Spell Resistance: Yes Description: Believed to be the invention of the mysterious wizard-sage Yugman, this spell is said to be used by the scholar to discourage uninvited guests and those who would approach his tower without leave. Victims often find themselves wandering in the nearby wilderness, feeling weak, stupid, and unattractive. Spell Effect: A pale multicolored beam leaps from the caster's palm, sapping the target's mental and physical attributes. If the caster succeeds at a ranged touch attack, the target must make six separate saves: three Will saves (for Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) and three Fortitude saves (for Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution). Each failed save results in a loss of 1d6 points of the corresponding attribute for the duration of the spell, plus 1 point/2 caster levels. These saves are made simultaneously, so reductions of attributes do not affect any other saves. An attribute cannot be reduced to less than 1 by this spell. and I like the idea in this spell, but it sounds quite overpowered to me. I'd like to hear some opinions about whether you think this spell is overpowered or not, and if you can compare this spell to another fourth level spell showing that it is or is not overpowered. Finally, I'm interested in ideas to balance this spell (that is, if it's overpowered :) )
tarkin 06-16-04, 10:47 AM	Simple way to balance the spell: (Step zero remember not to buy Relics & Rituals II) Replace words 1d6 points of the corresponding attribute for the duration of the spell, plus 1 point/2 caster levels with "1d4 points of the corresponding attribute"
smrtgmp 06-17-04, 06:16 AM	I'd make it a flat 1d6 from each attribute but bump it up to 5th level. Touch of idiocy is 2nd level and does 1d6 to all the mental attributes, so I could also see this as a 4th level spell as is (without the level dependent increase to attribute damage) if it had a range of touch.