PDA

View Full Version : Spell Arrow (PEACH)



Lysander
2010-01-20, 10:33 AM
This is an idea for a spell to build teamwork between the wizard and ranged fighter in the group:


Spell Arrow
Transmutation
Level: Clr 1, Pal 1, Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Projectile touched
Duration: 1 min./level
Saving Throw: No
Spell Resistance: No

You ready a small projectile such as an arrow or a shuriken to have a spell bound to it. You cast the spell you wish to apply to the projectile in the following round, transferring its magic from your mind into the projectile. You can only apply spells that are cast in one standard action or less, have a single target, are of an equal or lesser spell level than the Spell Arrow spell, and the spell must be from the same person who cast Spell Arrow.

The stored spell is triggered if the projectile hits a valid target for that spell. The target is allowed any saving throw or spell resistance the spell is subject to. The projectile also gains a +1 magical enhancement bonus for the duration of the spell. If the arrow is not fired before the Spell Arrow spell expires, whatever spell is bound to it is wasted.

Special: Spell Arrow may be heightened even if the caster does not have the Heighten Spell metamagic feat, allowing them to apply spells of higher levels. Without being heightened only 1st and 0 level spells can be applied.

Thomar_of_Uointer
2010-01-20, 01:02 PM
It's a nice idea for a pre-combat buff spell. The real problem is that it's expensive to use two spell slots to power up a weapon, there are existing weapon enhancement spells that do better. What if you made it a metamagic feat?

Djinn_in_Tonic
2010-01-20, 01:26 PM
It's a nice idea for a pre-combat buff spell. The real problem is that it's expensive to use two spell slots to power up a weapon, there are existing weapon enhancement spells that do better. What if you made it a metamagic feat?

The problem is that a level 6 spell + a level 1 spell is a more profitable expenditure of power than a level 6 spell increased with a +1 metamagic enhancer to be a level 7 spell. Maybe as a +0 metamagic, but I'm not sure I'd burn a feat on this...

A.J.Gibson
2010-01-20, 01:28 PM
This is kinda like Quick Potion in the Spell Compendium: it allows you to take a spell and put it somewhere for later (faster) use. The fact that it lasts only a minute per level makes it kind of difficult to use before combat (you have to know combat will be real soon) and the casting time makes it difficult to use during combat. I would consider making the duration 1 hour/level.

How does a spelled arrow interact with Damage Resistance?

Lysander
2010-01-20, 02:12 PM
To clear things up: It's only a 1st level spell when applying 1st and 0 level spells. If you want to apply higher level spells you have to cast Spell Arrow with a higher spell slot. So yeah, it's pretty expensive. If you want to apply a 5th level spell you have to cast at least a 5th level Spell Arrow. Basically you lose two spells for every one you cast. So why do it?

Because your archer can hit things you can't. Maybe they have a higher attack roll. Maybe the range of their bow is greater than the range of your spell (touch range spells can be applied to the arrow btw). And the best feature of all: archers can shoot many arrows in one round. An archer with a few spell arrows can send several non-quickened spells whizzing at a target in one round.

Plus the spell is already cast, freeing the caster do use another spell during the same round the archer uses their magic. And it removes any need for components when you shoot, that's already taken care of. So you can fire the arrow into a silence spell without difficulty, without needing to use metamagic.



How does a spelled arrow interact with Damage Resistance?

The arrow deals its normal damage (with a +1 enhancement), and also applies the spell. Damage Reduction functions as normal, but if the spell deals damage it treats the spell's damage and the arrow as two different injuries. Fortunately DR is penetrated by spells, and a lot of DR will be vulnerable to the arrow's damage thanks to the enhancement bonus.

Djinn_in_Tonic
2010-01-20, 02:18 PM
Wait...this uses two spells of the level of the intended spell? That's pretty terrible. As a level 1 spell, or maybe level 2, I'd use this. That said, I'm willing to have 2 castings of a non-arrow delivered disintegrate than 1 casting of an arrow-delivered version that sucks up 2 7th level slots.

Really, the benefits don't come anywhere near outweighing the cost, especially since many spells don't require attack rolls, making the delivery system a risk at best. True, it might allow our team to cast 3-4 high level spells at once...but each one eats 2 slots, and has a chance to miss? No thanks.

Lysander
2010-01-20, 02:29 PM
Wait...this uses two spells of the level of the intended spell? That's pretty terrible. As a level 1 spell, or maybe level 2, I'd use this. That said, I'm willing to have 2 castings of a non-arrow delivered disintegrate than 1 casting of an arrow-delivered version that sucks up 2 7th level slots.

Really, the benefits don't come anywhere near outweighing the cost, especially since many spells don't require attack rolls, making the delivery system a risk at best. True, it might allow our team to cast 3-4 high level spells at once...but each one eats 2 slots, and has a chance to miss? No thanks.

It's a tradeoff. You lose two slots for every one, and you require an attack roll, but you get free metamagic feats without needing a to use a higher slot essentially. Free silent spell and the equivalent of an open ended number of quickened spells in one round. That many quickened spells would otherwise be epic. It's great for assassination missions, if you want to try killing an enemy before they have time to react. You also get to take advantage of your rogue's higher initiative if ambushed.

You could also just create a wand of Spell Arrow to save your own slots. Although you'd have to pick at what level to create the wand at. It wouldn't be able to apply spells of higher levels.

Kuma Kode
2010-01-20, 02:47 PM
Maybe you can have Spell Arrow target multiple projectiles, maybe 1 projectile/caster level? You'd still need to have a higher level slot, but you can buff up a whole quiver with a single casting.