Post/Author/DateTime	Post
IceFractal 03-04-05, 08:09 PM	Here's a little spell I worked up to make counterspelling more fun, or more exciting at least. Compared to Dispel Magic: -) Range: Short -) Can only counterspell, not dispel -) Can only counter incoming spells -) Random effect, might still hit your party +) Instant action, no preparation needed So its got several disadvantages and just one advantage, but the advantage is a doozy. Instant action casting time makes it far easier to use in practice than normal counterspelling. So what level should it be? And do the mechanics work? (I know they're complicated, but its a pretty complex effect). Any suggestions? Deflect Spell Abjuration [Chaotic] Level: Sor/Wiz ? Components: V, S, F Casting Time: Instant action Range: Close (see text) Target: One spell being cast Duration: Instantaneous Save/SR: N/A This potent but often hazardous spell deflects an incoming spell in a new direction. To effect a spell, the spell must have just been cast and be in the process of flying to its target (as casting Deflect Spell is an Instant action, this isn't that hard to do), and the line of effect must pass within close range of you. Make a dispel check against the spell, as with Dispel Magic. If the check succeeds, the spell is deflected in a random direction, which works differently for different types of spells: Touch Not effected Ranged Touch Deflected in random direction (see below), anyone in the new path could be hit, but the spell's bonus to hit is reduced to +0, as the caster wasn't even aiming for them. Line Deflected in a random direction, the line basically turns a corner. Cone You can only deflect cones if you're within close range of the caster, the cone fires in a random direction from the caster. Burst/Spread You can't deflect bursts which are centered on the caster, but otherwise, take the line of effect, turn it in a random direction at the deflection point, and then center the burst the same distance along the path. Example: Mage A casts a fireball at Mage B, who is 200' away. At 50' away, Mage B deflects the fireballs path 90' to the right. The fireball goes forward 150', then goes to the right 50' (total 200') and then bursts there. Targetted Make a virtual cone going in a random direction from the deflection point. The new target is randomly determined within that cone, and if there's no suitable target in the cone the spell fizzles. Determining the New Direction: Roll 1d10 and consult the chart below. 1 No change 2 45' degrees to the right 3 90' degrees to the right 4 135' degrees to the right 5 180' degree turn 6 135' degrees to the left 7 90' degrees to the left 8 45' degrees to the left 9 90' upward 10 90' downward Focus: A cold iron rod with a crystal die on the end (worth at least 100 gp), which the caster must be holding to cast this spell.
IceFractal 03-05-05, 12:19 AM	And here's lesser and greater versions I've come up with; not sure of the levels for them either: Deflect Spell, Lesser Abjuration [Chaotic] Level: Sor/Wiz ? Casting Time: 1 action Duration: 1 round/level, until discharged As Deflect Spell, except that instead of being an Instant action to cast, you must cast it ahead of time, and then can activate it as an instant action. You can only have one casting of this on you at once. Deflect Spell, Greater Abjuration [Chaotic] Level: Sor/Wiz ? As Deflect Spell, except that the maximum caster level boost on the dispel check is +20 instead of +10, and you may bias the random direction chart by replacing one result with another. For instance, you could replace "no direction change" with "180 degree turn", which would both boost the odds of that and avoid the "no change" result.
Talchar 03-05-05, 07:29 AM	Well I can a my 2 cents worth. As written I believe this spell would come out of some wizard college as the latestest in defensive magics...only to mocked by the field wizards as a spell more hazardous then the incomming spells.... Then they would turn you into a chicken, and much fun was had by all.... Mechanically, I would change it to medium duration spell, 10 minute per level or 1 hour per level... until discharged. The discharging this spell is considered an imediate action. The spell would be an emination effect say 20 feet radius. Any spell that has its line of effect cross the boundry of the emination field is subject to the spell. This would prevent the spell from effecting spells with a personalm touch range or those spells that eminate from the caster (like the cone spells or lighting bolt), and this spelll would not effect spells that do not have a line of effect requirement. Any other spell is subject to being effected. Enemy Spell- The incomming spell you are trying to deflect Ally Spell - The delfection spell cast by you Roll 1d10 1 Enemy Spell is deflected to affect only the caster of the ally spell 2 Enemy Spell is deflected 1D20 feet in a straight line in the direction of the ally spell caster. 3-8 Enemy spell is deflected and dissiapated harmlessly 9 Enemy Spell is deflected 1d6 x 10 feet in a straight line in the direction of the enemy spell caster. 10 Enemy Spell is deflected to affect only the caster of the enemy spell.
IceFractal 03-06-05, 04:20 PM	Well, Lesser Deflect Spell does use that method (cast ahead of time, deflect one spell during the duration), and I'm not sure whether it's duration should go up to 1 min/level or if its fine at a rnd/lvl, given that it's supposed to be fairly low level. As for the revised deflection chart, I'll consider it, although it seems biased toward hitting one of the two opposed spellcasters, kind of like Spell Turning, whereas I'm trying to go with a more collateral damaging feel with this one. Think of magic battles from movies or books where fireballs get blasted off course and go crash into walls, sometimes bringing down the place around the combatants.
IceFractal 03-07-05, 01:12 PM	Any ideas about what level they should be?
IceFractal 03-08-05, 03:01 AM	Well, I guess there aren't going to be any replies (except for one, and I'm not dismissing that response, I'd just like rather more feedback than that). I may as well let this drop into obscurity, but first, could at least a few people fill out this survey? Survey: Why did only one person respond? a) Too boring b) Too inherently overpowered c) Too inherently underpowered d) Too confusing e) Coincedence f) Vendetta against me ;) g) Computer was eaten by bear (or other large animal) :P