Spell Duelling and Immediate actions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Spell Duelling and Immediate actions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dredraven
07-12-07, 04:34 AM Just got back from Watching the newest Harry Potter film. All commentary of that aside, I am struck with the inadequecy of the D&D spell system to allow reaction spells, such as make up the bulk of combat in this film.

Anyone have an idea of how to generate this kind of reaction/interaction in spell combat. I know it can be somewhat simulated via counterspell, but that never comes close to what books(even D&D books (See Raistlin and Fistandantilus's fight for details)) and movies have shown us.
True Cavalier
07-12-07, 06:49 AM I know what you mean... to some extend you can simulate it with counterspelling and rerolling initiative every round to make it less predictable, but counterspelling is something that needs a strong buff to be an interesting option (in any situation, but much more so in spell duels).

There is one mechanic for it but I don't remember in which book, I think it was Magic of Faerun? It said that in a spellduel (in a specially prepared arena) a caster can both cast a spell and prepare a counterspell action in the same round.
Mosyali
07-12-07, 12:20 PM I know there is a sever lacking in the spice of Duelling spells, but there are some options.

The Immediate action is one that actually opens up much for a duel. While there are not very many spells that take advantage of that action, its existance does make for dueling applications.

Some spells that exist as immediate actions from PHB2 are the Celerity line, Alter Fortune, the Crown line offers immediate boosts, Deflect line, Electric Vengeance line, Energy Aegis, Halt, Hesitate, Master's Touch, Greater Mirror Image, Mystic Aegis, Stand, Stay the Hand, Stifle Spell.

All of the above listed spells fit the dueling ideal. I am no good at house ruleing, so I am unable to actually modify them myself, but possibly altering a few of the above would enable some of the more offensive actions seen in an Arcane Duel.
runestar
07-12-07, 11:49 PM Epic counterspell lets you counterspell any amount of spells each round without having to ready actions.
Thomar_of_Uointer
07-13-07, 10:34 PM You would have to make your own spells for this purpose (something I'm planning to do for a non-D&D game). I'd imagine an immediate action universal counterspell that required a caster level check would be level 5, and lower-level spells would be more restricted in scope (such as to specific spell schools or spell descriptors, but maybe with the ability to return minor backlash at the caster).

Also note, using quickened spells while readying actions to counterspell, or assaulting a counterspell with a normal spell and a quickened spell together, are both very valid and cenimatic tactics, and they ensure a prolonged fight.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dredraven 07-12-07, 04:34 AM	Just got back from Watching the newest Harry Potter film. All commentary of that aside, I am struck with the inadequecy of the D&D spell system to allow reaction spells, such as make up the bulk of combat in this film. Anyone have an idea of how to generate this kind of reaction/interaction in spell combat. I know it can be somewhat simulated via counterspell, but that never comes close to what books(even D&D books (See Raistlin and Fistandantilus's fight for details)) and movies have shown us.
True Cavalier 07-12-07, 06:49 AM	I know what you mean... to some extend you can simulate it with counterspelling and rerolling initiative every round to make it less predictable, but counterspelling is something that needs a strong buff to be an interesting option (in any situation, but much more so in spell duels). There is one mechanic for it but I don't remember in which book, I think it was Magic of Faerun? It said that in a spellduel (in a specially prepared arena) a caster can both cast a spell and prepare a counterspell action in the same round.
Mosyali 07-12-07, 12:20 PM	I know there is a sever lacking in the spice of Duelling spells, but there are some options. The Immediate action is one that actually opens up much for a duel. While there are not very many spells that take advantage of that action, its existance does make for dueling applications. Some spells that exist as immediate actions from PHB2 are the Celerity line, Alter Fortune, the Crown line offers immediate boosts, Deflect line, Electric Vengeance line, Energy Aegis, Halt, Hesitate, Master's Touch, Greater Mirror Image, Mystic Aegis, Stand, Stay the Hand, Stifle Spell. All of the above listed spells fit the dueling ideal. I am no good at house ruleing, so I am unable to actually modify them myself, but possibly altering a few of the above would enable some of the more offensive actions seen in an Arcane Duel.
runestar 07-12-07, 11:49 PM	Epic counterspell lets you counterspell any amount of spells each round without having to ready actions.
Thomar_of_Uointer 07-13-07, 10:34 PM	You would have to make your own spells for this purpose (something I'm planning to do for a non-D&D game). I'd imagine an immediate action universal counterspell that required a caster level check would be level 5, and lower-level spells would be more restricted in scope (such as to specific spell schools or spell descriptors, but maybe with the ability to return minor backlash at the caster). Also note, using quickened spells while readying actions to counterspell, or assaulting a counterspell with a normal spell and a quickened spell together, are both very valid and cenimatic tactics, and they ensure a prolonged fight.