Sand Shaper (Sandstorm) Ability: Improved Sand Shape [Archive] - Wizards Community

Sand Shaper (Sandstorm) Ability: Improved Sand Shape [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Harliquinn
11-19-06, 03:12 PM Okay, I'll be playing a Sand Shaper in an ongoing campaign. I was looking through some of the abilities again the other night to refresh myself with what I have to look forward to.

Now, the Sand Shape ability is nice. You can create any objects (similar to the Creation spells) out of waste material (sand, dirt, etc). The DC is a Caster Level check against a DC set by the size and complexity of the item. Items created last 10 minutes / PrC level and you are limited to a certain number. It takes 1 minute / DC to create the item as well. Okay this ability makes sense and looks good.

However, the Improved Sand Shape ability allows you to create creatures. The same creation process is used, such that a DC is assigned based on the creature (specific list) and requires a Caster Level check. Typical DC's are 15 and 20 for the creatures. Each creature takes 1 minute / DC to create just as with items. The differnece here is that creatures last only 1 minute + 1 round / PrC level!!

This certainly isn't a typo (Since in one case it says that it lasts 10 minutes / level as opposed to the standard 1 minute + 1 round) and I haven't found errata for it. This ability seems rather pointless as written.

First, you can't create these creatures in combat (like a summon spell) since at the minimum they take about 15 minutes to create. Second, only a few of them are combat forms and usually they represent 'normal' animals such as a dog, horse, or scorpion. So, why would any Sand Shaper spend 15-20 minutes creating a creature that will last at most 3 minutes at level 15? Am I missing something? Has anyone made a house-rule that these last 10 minutes / PrC like the items? At least they would have some prolonged usefulness. If the creatures were templated or had very high power levels, I could see the limitation. However, given that Sand Shapers used to raise and destroy empires, having a scouting eagle or a small dog that lasts 3 minutes seems very underwhelming.

ANyone have insight into the reasoning behind the short durations or whether a change to 10 minutes / level would be unbalancing considering what you can create?

Thanks,
Harliquinn
Harliquinn
11-20-06, 10:46 PM No one has a comment?
Richmud
11-21-06, 11:48 AM No one has a comment?

Well, if it helps I can tell you I have the same question about it. I subscribed to this thread hoping someone else would give a good answer
randomdwarf
03-23-07, 01:47 AM ditto.

Although I'm curious to know if the Shapesand substance would extend the duration.

Any DM rule on that?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Harliquinn 11-19-06, 03:12 PM	Okay, I'll be playing a Sand Shaper in an ongoing campaign. I was looking through some of the abilities again the other night to refresh myself with what I have to look forward to. Now, the Sand Shape ability is nice. You can create any objects (similar to the Creation spells) out of waste material (sand, dirt, etc). The DC is a Caster Level check against a DC set by the size and complexity of the item. Items created last 10 minutes / PrC level and you are limited to a certain number. It takes 1 minute / DC to create the item as well. Okay this ability makes sense and looks good. However, the Improved Sand Shape ability allows you to create creatures. The same creation process is used, such that a DC is assigned based on the creature (specific list) and requires a Caster Level check. Typical DC's are 15 and 20 for the creatures. Each creature takes 1 minute / DC to create just as with items. The differnece here is that creatures last only 1 minute + 1 round / PrC level!! This certainly isn't a typo (Since in one case it says that it lasts 10 minutes / level as opposed to the standard 1 minute + 1 round) and I haven't found errata for it. This ability seems rather pointless as written. First, you can't create these creatures in combat (like a summon spell) since at the minimum they take about 15 minutes to create. Second, only a few of them are combat forms and usually they represent 'normal' animals such as a dog, horse, or scorpion. So, why would any Sand Shaper spend 15-20 minutes creating a creature that will last at most 3 minutes at level 15? Am I missing something? Has anyone made a house-rule that these last 10 minutes / PrC like the items? At least they would have some prolonged usefulness. If the creatures were templated or had very high power levels, I could see the limitation. However, given that Sand Shapers used to raise and destroy empires, having a scouting eagle or a small dog that lasts 3 minutes seems very underwhelming. ANyone have insight into the reasoning behind the short durations or whether a change to 10 minutes / level would be unbalancing considering what you can create? Thanks, Harliquinn
Harliquinn 11-20-06, 10:46 PM	No one has a comment?
Richmud 11-21-06, 11:48 AM	No one has a comment? Well, if it helps I can tell you I have the same question about it. I subscribed to this thread hoping someone else would give a good answer
randomdwarf 03-23-07, 01:47 AM	ditto. Although I'm curious to know if the Shapesand substance would extend the duration. Any DM rule on that?