Open-ended low-level spells

[Yora]

I'm planning a campaign for 1st to 8th level characters, in which the worlds most strongest NPCs are 10th or 11th level, with a very few unique individuals in history that made 12th or 13th level. I noticed that this means that spells used by PCs and NPCs are usually limited to 4th level, with only a very few occasions in which 5th level spells might be cast. And that removes really a large number of spells that could become problematic.

Usually, it seems that the most infamous spells are those that have a lot of uses that are not immediately obvious when looking over them. Teleport, Planar Binding, True Seeing, Contingency, and such are among the notorious ones.

But what spells are there at low levels that one has to really watch out for?
Alter Self and Polymorph are the obvious candidates. While Glitterdust and Grease also have doubious reputation, they are simply very good, but won't cause any completely unexpected results.
Anything I should watch out for?

[Feytalist]

Sort of like an Epic 10? Cool.

I'm thinking of telekinesis, but that's a high level spell on its own. Maybe something like greater mage hand?

Enchantment/illusion spells might have a greater impact than in high-level games. The few E6 games I played, much use was made of a simple charm person.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Alter Self. One of the most versatile 2nd level spells in the game.

Polycheese is also possible, since Polymorph is a 4th level spell.

And, of course, nothing is stopping a UPS Man build. Mailman, at least, is hampered by the fact that he uses a minimum of 4th level spells. UPS man uses a 1st level spell. Or, with more feat investment, any area-effect spell.

In fact, I think UPS man can be done as a 1st level character, if you use a flaw...

The feats you need are: Fell Drain, Easy Metamagic, and Arcane Thesis. Everything else is fluff.

[NNescio]

Silent Image. And that's without shadowcrafting factored in.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Silent Image. And that's without shadowcrafting factored in.

Shadowcrafting is what makes it completely broken, and I'm not sure if you can get the over-100% trick to work this low level, although you can at least duplicate just about any spell in the game.

[NNescio]

Let me amend my previous statement:

"And that's without shadowcrafting factored in yet."

Still very open-ended, but not broken as it relies heavily on DM adjudication.

[Thiyr]

Stone shape. Notice that it is a standard action, instantaneous duration spell which has no save and can potentially encase a person in stone such that they are incapable of movement, more or less escape. Even without abusing its...lack of wording, though, it's a wonderful problem-solver when stone is around.

Shrink item gets some mention for its use in transporting large numbers of boulders over your enemies heads.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Also, Lesser Globe of Invulnerability becomes *FAR* more powerful if no other caster is chucking around spells higher than 3rd level.

Teleport can flat out break your campaign if it requires your party to go somewhere on a time limit. DimDoor can also trivialize many challenges.

Shadow Conjuration is a 4th level spell.

Enervation = negative levels. Trust me, you can break this spell fairly easily with Arcane Thesis and various metamagic feats. Having access to a Slaymate and Easy Metamagic feats trivializes it.

[gomipile]

Bestow Curse

[Ravens_cry]

Prestidigitation hasn't been mentioned yet? How is this possible?
I agree with Feytalist, enchantment spells are really worth a lot more as their traditional counter, Mind Blank, will not be available, leaving only creatures with innate resistances. Making a creature your friend or slave is practically the definition of open-ended.

[WinWin]

pyrotechnics can be pretty effective. Especially if you set enemies ablaze with alchemists fire first. Very situational though.

[Jair Barik]

Steel bands from SC is pretty horrific. Pretty much the lowest level SoD/SoS spell in the game except for sleep. Ignores SR (if I remember correctly) and on a failed save the enemy is helpless (and so vulnerable to a coup de grace). Even on a succesful save they are entangled which will ruin the day of many monsters/characters.

[Elboxo]

How experienced are the players? Are you allowing Spell Compendium?
What casters are they? How many of them are casters?

[deuxhero]

Prestidigitation hasn't been mentioned yet? How is this possible?


It's open, but impossible to make broken without breaking the rules. This is primarily due to the fact that it lists 1 (plus 1 or so other in a splatbook) use with a mechanical existance, and another cantrip does the use far better.

[Tyndmyr]

Also, Lesser Globe of Invulnerability becomes *FAR* more powerful if no other caster is chucking around spells higher than 3rd level.

It's hilariously powerful in E6.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

It's hilariously powerful in E6.

How can you get access to a 4th level spell as a 6th level caster?

[Cespenar]

How can you get access to a 4th level spell as a 6th level caster?

Well, you see, Improved Sigil (Krau) on an Illumi-

BLAARGH! *wipes mouth*

Sorry. Never mind me. :smalltongue:

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Well, you see, Improved Sigil (Krau) on an Illumi-

BLAARGH! *wipes mouth*

Sorry. Never mind me. :smalltongue:

Ahh yes, the reason I ban Illumians from any game I run...

[wuwuwu]

Aren't there also E6 feats that allow you to get 4th level spells?

[Yora]

Not in "E6 core".

Wouldn't it be more correct to say, that lesser globe starts really good, but also stays very good in a low and mid-level campaign? When you're 7th level, you won't have many encounters in which enemies can throw more than two or three 4th level spells.