It is a spell open only to Clerics of Helm.
I will use CL as a shorthand for caster level
Let's see. A 3rd level spell that gives you a mace that:
- leaves your hand free to do other stuff if you are not attacking without disappearing
- Is a force effect
- TOUCH attack
- CLd6 (max 10) damage
- +CL damage to undead
- If struck, FOR DC as a 3rd level spell or paralyzed for 1 round
- If a spell targets you you can choose to let the mace absorb it. In that case you suffer no effect and the mace disappears
WTF? But, wait, you will say. Wait, how long is the casting time? And how long does it last?
Well, my friend, it doesn't matter, since it is PERSISTABLE!!!!
WTF is wrong with WotC? Do they let Mickey Mouse write the FR spells?
OMG, I want to build a cleric of Helm with a persistent Mace of Odo now.
spell. I can't believe I've never heard of it on here before.furthermore you can only make one single attack per turn with it... imho not worth it
am I the only one who recognizes that the spell ends as soon as you strike a creature?? cause this would mean, that no matter you persisted the spell, it still ends as soon as you strike a creature with it
furthermore you can only make one single attack per turn with it... imho not worth it
Ah yeah, that limits it substantially. I was just going off what was in the OP. That would explain why I haven't seen it here before. ;)
It is still a solid 3rd level spell IMHO, considering that you can cast it a little before combat (1 round/lev duration) and you can cast while holding it
Yes, a very good spell. But it's also 3.0. It hasn't ever been updated, theoretically meaning it's still in effect, but many groups wouldn't touch it for that reason. If your group allows it, go ahead. It's one of the best 3rd level spells on the Cleric list. Even if you don't want to use it to attack (which would be a strong option: force damage, touch attack, save-or-die attached), it can still absorb one spell targeted at you. Completely. No save, no SR, no nothing vs. this absorption, as it is an effect spell without a target. This is a very powerful defense when you're facing a spellcaster, and only gets better the higher level spells are aimed at you: you only expend a 3rd level spell to negate a targeted 9th level spell? Sign me up!
However, the casting time is 1 full round, which may limit the combat usefulness of this spell somewhat, but you can just cast it immediately prior to combat.
However, the casting time is 1 full round, which may limit the combat usefulness of this spell somewhat, but you can just cast it immediately prior to combat.
I'm sure there are plenty of ways around that, like putting it in a Contingency.
What other ways are there to shorten casting time?
Seems this thing might actually be worth it to store in a contingency!
Still, are there any other ways to shorten casting time? You can Quicken it, obviously, but adding four spell levels makes the Mace look much less shiny. Worth it to get as a spell-like ability? Probably not.
Interesting. The spell description says: "While you are holding the mace, if you are targeted with a spell, you may choose to have the mace absorb the spell." So it seems it must be a targeted spell, but otherwise, there is no limitation.
Seems this thing might actually be worth it to store in a contingency!
Still, are there any other ways to shorten casting time? You can Quicken it, obviously, but adding four spell levels makes the Mace look much less shiny. Worth it to get as a spell-like ability? Probably not.
I don't think you can Quicken a full round action casting time spell.
I like using some immediate action spell or magic item to set as the trigger for your Contingency. That way, you don't have to predict the exact circumstances for which you'll want to use it. You just have to not be flat-footed when you need it.
Quicken Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit
Casting a quickened spell is an swift action. You can perform another action, even casting another spell, in the same round as you cast a quickened spell. You may cast only one quickened spell per round. A spell whose casting time is more than 1 full round action cannot be quickened. A quickened spell uses up a spell slot four levels higher than the spell’s actual level. Casting a quickened spell doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity.
Special
This feat can’t be applied to any spell cast spontaneously (including sorcerer spells, bard spells, and cleric or druid spells cast spontaneously), since applying a metamagic feat to a spontaneously cast spell automatically increases the casting time to a full-round action.
Important part bolded, ultra-important part in red. Still, quickening Mace of Odo might not be that efficient a use for a 7th level spell slot... but there's still DMM: Quicken.
Otherwise, good method for contingent spells there. Is there no way around the flat-footed vulnerability (bar Foresight, naturally).
Otherwise, good method for contingent spells there. Is there no way around the flat-footed vulnerability (bar Foresight, naturally).
There are several others. 1) Go around Shapechanged into a Minotaur, 2) Some Eberron feat dealing with "Marks", 3) the "Cunning" ability of a Legacy Weapon/Item.
With the last one, you can even get Contingency as a power on it, also. So it could work even for non-spellcasters, if they can get the ability to "cast" the spell they want to put into it somehow.