Creative uses for Sorc. 4th Level spells

[Rainshine]

Should be picking up another 4th level spell known next session, and I'm trying to figure out what to take. Playing a gnome illusionist, already running with Dim. Door, Shadow Conj. and Phantasmal Killer. In keeping with my general theme of crazy and fun tricks, I'm not so much looking for Boom spells, and more for interesting and creative. I already see several spells that have potential -- Shape Stone, Minor Phantom Object/Minor Creation. And Firefall, but that's because it would give me a good excuse to have my invisible familiar essentially drop a bomb on them.
With those two spells though, I'm trying to come up with interesting ways to use them in general and in combat. I can see the obvious for Stone Shape in making a door in a solid stone wall, making easy cover, setting basic traps, but I'm looking for devious ideas. For Creation/PO though, the plant matter distinction seems to rule out things like weapons beyond a basic staff. Rope at an opportune time, or a ladder from thin air sounds useful, if you're not prepared, but I'm sure there's some good uses I'm just not seeing yet. Other suggestions of cool spells welcome as well!

[Doc_Maynot]

Any chance this is 3.P?

[Larkas]

Wait, are you playing a gnome illusionist or a sorcerer?

[avr]

The famous use for minor creation is to make lots and lots of poison.

Firefall has embarrassingly low damage. I wouldn't touch it. River of Wind would be a lot better since it can knock people prone as well, even though you can't move the effect.

Resilient Sphere can be very handy with a willing target, like your familiar maybe. Blocking doorways, solid anchor points, cover to hide behind. Still useful to trap an enemy who fails their save.

Telekinetic Charge is the spell all your full-attack specialist friends want you to take.

[Rainshine]

Gnome sorcerer majoring in illusions (spell focus, silver, etc.)
It's a PF game, although I can always bring something up with my DM.
I had seen River of Wind, my main concern being the range and possibility of friendly fire. I like the Resilient idea. TkC I'm going to be getting next level off of Shadow Evocation anyways, but I love the image of a gnome hurling raging barbarians and plate-clad paladins.

[Doc_Maynot]

In that case maybe try for getting Shadowcraft Mage in. Requires being a Gnome, having 4 ranks in hide and bluff (Not sure how PF handles skill requirements if any.), Spell Focus (illusion), and being able to cast "at least three illusion spells, including at least one shadow spell of 4th level or higher." So I'd recommend getting an Illusion (Shadow) spell, like Shadow conjuration or something.
It lets one convert silent image, minor image, major image, persistent image, and programmed image into "any sorcerer or wizard conjuration (summoning), conjuration (creation), or evocation spell at least one level lower than the illusion spell ... identically to the shadow conjuration or shadow evocation spell." As well as automatically applying Extend Spell to all illusions you cast.

[Raven777]

If you like Shadow magic (and you are an illusionist, so why wouldn't you) and are not afraid of a little Necromancy on the side, Shadow Projection (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/shadow-projection) says "hi". Also compare the wording to Astral Projection (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/a/astral-projection). Yup, exactly as it sounds like, Shadow Projection is a safer, lower level form of its famous cousin. Just don't forget to pick up Silent Spell to cast in shadow form and you can get up to all kinds of shenanigans.

[Spore]

May I ask you about your Bloodline (because if something needs creativity, then fixed spell choices). Other than that, Shadow Conjuration (ANY spell 3rd or lower), Rainbow pattern, Bestow Curse (just invent a curse), Stone Shape (creating doors is boring, distracting guards with giant half naked nymphs is where it's at, I hope you brought Craft skill ranks).

[Rainshine]

Arcane bloodline, hence the familiar. I'm a little curious how a stone statue of a nymph is supposed to be helpful, admittedly. If I'm standing there for a minute casting a spell, I think they'll know where it came from...

Shadow Projection looks neat, but the ruling (from JJ, for what it's worth), seemed to indicate that you pretty much use the shadow statblock for everything not hp/skills, that spell-likes, etc don't work, and you don't have vocal or somatic either.

[Raven777]

Shadow Projection looks neat, but the ruling (from JJ, for what it's worth), seemed to indicate that you pretty much use the shadow statblock for everything not hp/skills, that spell-likes, etc don't work, and you don't have vocal or somatic either.

Meh. Forum musings vs what's in the books and FAQ. Make of it what you will (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeathOfTheAuthor).

[Spore]

Arcane bloodline, hence the familiar. I'm a little curious how a stone statue of a nymph is supposed to be helpful, admittedly. If I'm standing there for a minute casting a spell, I think they'll know where it came from...

I overlooked the casting time. Well you would have to have preparation time. Also I said creative uses, not efficient ones.

[Raven777]

What about Haunting Mists (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/h/haunting-mists)? I've used that one to great effect before. Sure, 2nd level, not 4th, but it does great stuff. Namely, Wisdom drain and Shaken. That part can be resisted, but the fog effect ain't covered by the save, so enemy vision is still messed up even if they save. And since it's your own illusion, you can see through it just fine. It's like a same level Fog Cloud that doesn't impede you and cannot be dissipated by wind.

[Yanisa]

What about Haunting Mists (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/h/haunting-mists)? I've used that one to great effect before. Sure, 2nd level, not 4th, but it does great stuff. Namely, Wisdom drain and Shaken. That part can be resisted, but the fog effect ain't covered by the save, so enemy vision is still messed up even if they save. And since it's your own illusion, you can see through it just fine. It's like a same level Fog Cloud that doesn't impede you and cannot be dissipated by wind.

Haunting Mist is a horribly written spell. There is no Will Save (Disbelieve) so you cannot see trough the mist, when you cast the spell you are standing in the area, draining your own wisdom and nothing states how often the wisdom drain happen, so it only happens once. Also it cannot deal (wisdom) damage because its a figment.

Although a few patches can easily fix the spell, RAW it is horribly broken, in the literal way.

[Raven777]

Haunting Mist is a horribly written spell. There is no Will Save (Disbelieve) so you cannot see trough the mist, when you cast the spell you are standing in the area, draining your own wisdom and nothing states how often the wisdom drain happen, so it only happens once. Also it cannot deal (wisdom) damage because its a figment.

Although a few patches can easily fix the spell, RAW it is horribly broken, in the literal way.

Oh gods you're right. ALL THIS TIME I LIVED A LIE!

[Yanisa]

Oh gods you're right. ALL THIS TIME I LIVED A LIE!

I am sorry for bringing the bad news...

I am unsure how such as spell even ended up in a pathfinder book (rather then a companion). And the lack of errata, it is puzzling. And it so easy to fix: Make it a shadow illusion spell, make the caster immune to all its effects (or increase the range and remove the first line) and say the 1d2 wisdom and fear apply each round, but one successful saves mean you are safe until you exit and enter the mist again (otherwise the spell is way too strong for a 2nd level slot).

[SalterisSolaris]

I heard good things about Solid Fog, mainly due to the "no save, no SR, only 5ft movement" part (dragon flight stalling anyone?), but I never actually tried it myself. I'd imagine it can be pretty effective together with Sculpt Spell.

Other stuff... well the infamously broken Polymorph, obviously. Overusing it is an express ticket to DM-rage-country, but there is indeed very little a savvy player can not achieve with a Monster Manual and this.

Also, Celerity. Not nearly as tricked out as Polymorph, but a vital asset to do stuff out of turn when you really, really need it.

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Aw, shucks... I keep missing the <Pathfinder> tag. Always you insolent whippersnappers with your newfangled system thingamabobs! :smalltongue: