101 Ways to Use Stone Shape [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
Michaelot

04-27-04, 05:52 PM
Disclaimer: I am not going to give an exhaustive list of ways to use the spell, but it is my hope that others will join the thread and provide 101 awesome ways they have used it.
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I have talked with several people that think the early cleric level spells are pretty weak, but they really are not. For Example: You may think Stone Shape really does not have that awesome offensive capabilities, but it really does.

In one of latest quests I was playing in. We lost all of our party members (due to some bad saving rolls which caused all our alignments to change to evil). We made new characters deciding against playing Evil Ones. Our old character that survived became for one a 9 Level Chaotic Evil Human Cleric, 12 Level Neutral Evil Human Barbarian, and our Fallen Paladin who became Chaotic Evil turned into a Dark Lord running an Evil Monastery at 14th Level. The quest allowed us to figure out ways to get each of them alone...except the Fallen Paladin He was always surronded by his cohorts. We were able to barely take care of the Cleric, and the Barbarian actually was a easier to dispose of but that is a funny story in and of itself.

Concerning the fallen Paladin my new Cleric 6th Level Cleirc found out that the beautiful stone Monastery he grew up was overun by this Dark Lord and he set out for Vengence! No one I mean No one in my party would help me! No one would go with my character because they were trying to save another town from some Orcs. I had to go, it was my home so a committee was sent, a few townsfolks with an emissary would go with me that would be proof the monastery had become corrupt. Upon proof the towns would support us and we would raise an army to put down this evil. (The crappy things was I did not have a leadership feat so I was put second in command of this little townsfolk party, while the emissary thought it best to walk straight into the Monastery and ask the Dark Lord himself of his intentions...fool!) To make a long story short there was a huge battle in which everyone was killed except my Cleric. I had managed to get some distance in the large hall to where I ran up the stairs. Upon hearing tons of Evil Monks, Clerics, and the Dark Lord himself. I did not know what to do...I thought about it and then realize I had prepared a Stone Shape Spell incase we had to infiltrate the Stone Walls at night. I used this to my advantage by sealing myself against the out wall and creating a slide to slide down to the courtyard and make a run for it.

Stone Shape use #1

I almost made it, but the outerwalls prevented me and I sat there ******* in the corner for fear, um...uh...because of the abilities of all these evil religious fanatics. :D I ended up getting captured for questioning and was given the ultimatum from the Dark Lord, I had impressed him was offered to join him "...if you denounce your God and follow the evil ways...You must denounce your God and put on this Helmet and I will help you become strong enough so you can lead some of my armies." I must say it was a tempting offer but I turned it down and he ordered my death. I screamed saying "wait!" and proceeded to challenge him to a duel the next day. Appealed to his pride, "I think you are a coward! Do you realize that if you kill me your men will see you as a coward not wanting to duel a pathetic humble cleric? If I was allowed to get all my spells back I could easily defeat a evil vile vomitous mass like you!" In our communication this was the final straw before he agreed. We set the conditions that I would need to prepare with all my abilities for the next day.

The Duel began and herein lies a small portion of the Power in the Stone Shape Spell. It was mano e mano we were alone in the monastery's great hall where the battle the day before had taken place. When we heard the Gong it began. I immediately cast the Stone Shape Spell and caused stone to form around him making a small stone prison. While he was trying to break through it I cast again and covered him in stone, trapping his arms and feet in a 5 foot thick block of stone. The only thing sticking out was his head. I just whacked his head until it was a bloody mush. A 6th level cleric beat the crap out of a 14 level Dark Lord. The last Stone Shape spell, 3 level spell I had from a high wisdom bonus was used in this time extending the slide to a make a bride over the outerwalls to which I escaped with proof of his demise and from then on we raised an army to take care of the rest.

Stone Shape use # 2

This of course is just one of the ways seemingly small or pointless spells can be turned into a huge offensive/defensive advantage.
I know there are tons of other people who have awesome ways to use this spell or other seemingly pointless spells, any more ideas would be fun to read, so please share.
Elrana

04-27-04, 06:10 PM
Flesh to stone followed by stone shape. They won't want to come back even if the opportunity is there!
Not a monkey

04-27-04, 06:28 PM
Originally posted by Elrana
Flesh to stone followed by stone shape. They won't want to come back even if the opportunity is there!

Reverse it!

Stone shape, followed by Stone to flesh. Make corpses! Pull that in a courtier's private chamber and watch the repercusions!
Elrana

04-27-04, 06:50 PM
Originally posted by Not a monkey
Reverse it!

Stone shape, followed by Stone to flesh. Make corpses! Pull that in a courtier's private chamber and watch the repercusions!

It wouldn't work. Read the spell with regard to shaping fine details, also it would just be a lump of flesh. No eyes, no innards, no fingernails! It would be easier to kill someone and teleport in with the corpse, leave it there and teleport out again if I understand what you are aiming at.

However just leaving a shapeless mass of flesh would be quite amusing! But only if you could see the look on his face when he found it.

So stone shape, stone to flesh and then scry! If you hung the 4' by 2' mirror on the wall of a pub you could sell tickets!
Dragon Ryder

04-27-04, 06:53 PM
This idea come from indiana jones. Here you are, ready to fight an evil Cleric in his monastary at the top level. He raises his hand to cast a spell but you win the initiative and hit the floor with your hand, causing the stone to fall out from under his feet. With a thud he hits the floor beneath. You then pick up some rocks, cast magic stone and toss them on him causing some nice explosions....why fight him if you don't have to??? As you leave the monastery with the dead cleric you repectfully tip over the holy water at the door. :D
Thorak

04-27-04, 06:55 PM
Not stone shape per se, but in 2nd edition I once used a Dig spell to half-way collapse the BBEG's tower; it was somewhat hastily put up on a plain, and thus when I removed the dirt under half the base to a depth of 20 feet...

Back on topic though;

Stone shape as a rogue replacement; Nasty door giving you trouble? Possibly viciously trapped? Is it set in stone? If so, just Stone Shape around the hinges, removing them from the wall itself. Door's no longer an issue, and any traps set in the handle or lock won't be triggered.

As in my Dig example above, use Stone Shape to weaken/remove a critical load-bearing structure. Obviously, some knowledge of masonry or stonework is quite helpful in determining where that would be, if it's not obvious (a single pillar in the middle of a giant room, for instance).

If you have time to prepare, a quick trap can be made out of any stone floor and a nearby door you can take off it's hinges (or any other board). Stone Shape the floor into thin ridges roughly 8 inches apart and 6 inches deep, and crooked. Too narrow to easily put your foot in, too wide to comfortable stretch a foot across is what you're looking for. Put the door across it, then go find some nasty bipedal enemies and get them to chase you. Pull the door off the section after the party's gone by; a rope attached to the door helps.
Elrana

04-27-04, 07:02 PM
Originally posted by Thorak
As in my Dig example above, use Stone Shape to weaken/remove a critical load-bearing structure. Obviously, some knowledge of masonry or stonework is quite helpful in determining where that would be, if it's not obvious (a single pillar in the middle of a giant room, for instance).


Ranks into knowledge (architecture and engineering) will do the trick. My +12 modifier, not overly high but I do have at least that in seven or eight different knowledges (the highest reaching about +24 I think) has always been enough for the DM to tell me that I feel the spell would be wasted on such a well constructed edifice!

The one I really wanted to topple was the 150 ft, high watch tower on four stone pillars filled with some beholders and a few trolls. Unfortunately the DM is a bright chap and described the way it was built so that removing one leg would not topple it.

I really can't wait until we can face enemies that haven't taken over elven or dwarven built buildings!
howlingwolf

04-28-04, 05:22 AM
- Leave your personal mark in the walls. ( 'Mark-the-archmage wuz 'ere 3e' ) XD

- Easy traps. Make a small trench, pour in oil, toss on flame. *WHOOM* Instant burning bath for anyone who can't jump.

-If in caverns, shape a great big hole in a main pillar/s holding up the roof, lure the enemy in, and then wack out the thin wedge. Splat.

-Do the same with load bearing arches in dungeons. ^_^

-Take dungeon decorations home. If you like that gargoyle face, shape a wedge out of the wall, and then snap it off. :D

-Drain those pesky liquid-based traps. Sculpt a thinner section, add a smash with a mace, and watch poison/acid/water spill out.
Elrana

04-28-04, 08:40 AM
Originally posted by howlingwolf

-Drain those pesky liquid-based traps. Sculpt a thinner section, add a smash with a mace, and watch poison/acid/water spill out.

Why not just sculpt a hole?
Thorak

04-28-04, 09:27 AM
Originally posted by Elrana
Why not just sculpt a hole?

Because that would mean you'd end up sticking your fingers in the liquid, which isn't a bright idea if it's acid or contact poison? That's why I wouldn't do it that way, anyway.
Elrana

04-28-04, 09:43 AM
Originally posted by Thorak
Because that would mean you'd end up sticking your fingers in the liquid, which isn't a bright idea if it's acid or contact poison? That's why I wouldn't do it that way, anyway.

Lightweight girly! :D
Bayne Mournbringer

04-28-04, 09:55 AM
We were trapped in a town over run by Nerul worshippers. We killed a troop of guards to take their clothes in order infiltrate the castle. To hide the bodies.... hole in floor, drop in bodies, close up floor. I know you need 2 Stone Shape spells to do it. We had planned it out the day before so I prepared in advance.
Eagle1993

04-28-04, 06:12 PM
While I was DMing the party stone shaped a Troll to the floor after killing it a third time. They had no fire or acid.
Bayne Mournbringer

04-28-04, 08:39 PM
With Stone Shape being a touch spell, how would one trap an attacking creature standing on a stone floor? Don't you have to touch the floor right beneath the creature?
Thorak

04-28-04, 09:18 PM
Originally posted by Eagle1993
While I was DMing the party stone shaped a Troll to the floor after killing it a third time. They had no fire or acid.

I assume by saying 'to' the floor rather than 'into' the floor, you mean you trapped a limb or four in the ground. That'll only work for about 20 minutes with most trolls. After that, they've recovered from being whacked to pieces, gotten frustrated at being trapped, and gnawed their own trapped limbs off, knowing they'll regenerate it back in minutes once free.

At least, if your DM's on his toes that day. That's what I'd do with a troll that was trapped like that, anyway.
Ssussunriyh

04-29-04, 12:33 AM
We once had to rescue a party member who had been thrown into the BBEG's dungeon and manacled to the wall. The DM had expected the party's Thief to try his Pick Locks ability on a set of extremely difficult locks to free him. Instead, the Druid used Stone Shape to simply pull the manacles out of the dungeon wall... and now the prisoner had a pair of impromptu flails that he could use against the guards!
Eagle1993

04-29-04, 01:01 AM
Originally posted by Thorak
I assume by saying 'to' the floor rather than 'into' the floor, you mean you trapped a limb or four in the ground. That'll only work for about 20 minutes with most trolls. After that, they've recovered from being whacked to pieces, gotten frustrated at being trapped, and gnawed their own trapped limbs off, knowing they'll regenerate it back in minutes once free.

At least, if your DM's on his toes that day. That's what I'd do with a troll that was trapped like that, anyway.


Well ok, so it was more of 'into' the floor. Only the head was exposed. And yes, it got out eventuly.
ChaoticGod

04-29-04, 02:14 AM
I've always been a bit confused by Stone Shape.

Its range Touch.

You can affect Stone or a Stone Object,

what you affect can only be up to 30 cubic feet at 20th level.


Say you are in a 10 x 10 room .

Say the stone floor and walls are only 1 foot thick.

Thus the floor and each wall is 100 cubic feet of stone.

So how are you going to do 'anything' with the floor or the walls?

Just asking . . .
Vumyan

04-29-04, 11:57 AM
Well you're not shaping the air in the room, you're shaping that many cubic feet of stone. You can stretch that out a very good bit.
ChaoticGod

04-30-04, 12:03 AM
The AIR in the room would take up 1000 cubic feet. It is not the target of the spell. It seems that the floor or a single wall even in this small a room would easily outstrip the spell's listed volume.
Lord_of_Rabbits

04-30-04, 09:47 AM
With a 1 foot thick wall, you could reshape a 3' by 10' piece of the wall at level 20, which is quite a lot of space...
And usually you can just make a smaller hole, so you don't need as much volume :)
PeteRR

05-21-04, 09:27 PM
We were garrisoned in a small town with time to kill. I built public baths with running water using the local river. It made our adventuring group very popular. :D
Duke Lupo

05-21-04, 10:57 PM
carve out chairs.

carve out "thrones"

make a small enclosure when you need to sleep in the underdark

make and sell stone clubs

make anything out of stone, add a little illusion of actual object, run
God Jesus

05-22-04, 02:39 AM
Hmmmmm, stick a rock up a monster's butt, then use stone shape to make it into a ball covered in sharp spikes so it gets lodged in there. That ought to **** the monster off. Better yet, do it with a stone attached to a chain so you can yank it right out.