[3.PF] Favorite obscure spell (Or equivalent).

[The Vagabond]

As pretty much listed above, what's your favorite reletively obscure spell (Or equivalent), from either Pathfinder or D&D 3.5?

For me, the best obscure "spell" (It's a power), is Soul Crystal, from Magic of Incarnum. It's a level 7 psionic power, so that's a benefit to it, which allows you to cast spells into the crystal, for other characters to cast. And it lasts hours per level, meaning that you can extend it to store PP for the next day. Grant metamorphosis to your party fighter, concealing amorpha to your Wizard, Fission to your Cleric, ect. It's just so incredibly useful and versatile, especially if you have a psicrystal to use them for you.

[Jeff the Green]

I love price of friendship. It's basically charm person, but with some key differences. It's level 2. It has no spell components except a focus (a platinum piece given to the target). And best of all, if the subject makes the save, they still have no idea you cast the spell.

If you want to charm someone and can finagle a reason to pay them, it's the way to go.

[the_archduke]

Gollum failed his save vs unnatural lust (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateMagic/spells/unnaturalLust.html)

[Inevitability]

Joyful Noise is an incredibly useful bard spell, because it allows you to negate magical silence. That's pure gold on a class that can't take silent spell or take nonverbal spells.

Bedevil, from Exemplars of Evil, is pretty fun too. It summons a fiendish trickster spirit that imposes a number of penalties on the target and interrupts their sleep and stays for 1 day/level. The best part is that you don't even need to be nearby for the spell to take effect: it can target anyone on the same plane.

[avr]

Impeding Stones from Cityscape; yes, Druids do have a first-level spell to use in cities and dungeons.

Thanks to being searchable and on the internet good PF spells tend not to stay obscure. Greater Detect Magic is still obscure for now, but the world-building uses (& general information gathering out of combat) mean it probably won't stay that way.

[DirePorkChop]

I once played a Sorceress in the Shackled City campaign, and I over utilized the spell Avascular Mass. It is stupidly powerful, and de-buffs to boot. The best part was fighting against the BBEG at the end. Avascular Mass followed by a quickened Wings of Flurry or Dim Door every round until dead. It was like a blood blender.

I am a big fan of Bands of Steel from SC. The fact that it works on flyers has saved my party on more than one occasion. I think it's an oft overlooked spell.

[Darrin]

Alicorn Lance (Silver Marches Web Enhancement (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20020719a), Clr/Dru 2). Ranged touch attack, 3d6 force damage, and target is outlined with faerie fire.

Bonerattle (Ghostwalk, Brd/Sor/Wiz 1). Direct damage for bards! 1d4/CL (max 5d4), and sadly Ref half, but cool/creepy effect.

Instant of Power (Forge of War, Brd/Dru/Rgr 1). Immediate action, +4 enhancement bonus on any ally's next attack, save, or damage roll.

Palin's Pyre (Dragonlance Campaign Setting, Sor/Wiz 3). 3d6 fire damage (no save) to any creatures in a number of squares equal to your CL. Good against swarms of cannonfodder.

Segojan's Armor (Magic Books of Faerun: Treasure of the Golden Hills (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20041117a), Clr/Dru/Rgr 1). If you can get it onto an arcane spell list (maybe via Master Specialist or Wyrm Wizard), it counts for Abjurant Champion's "Abjurant Armor" ability. Still has 10% ASF, but a dip into Spellsword can take care of that.

Shallantha's Delicate Disk (Lost Empires of Faerun, Sor/Wiz 6). For 200 GP, turns any 1st->5th level spell into a spell-storing item or a grenade you can throw at enemies.

Shocking Spark (Dragonlance Campaign Setting, Sor/Wiz 2). Slightly better version of scorching ray, does electricity damage, gets a +3 attack bonus if the target is wearing metal, and you get additional rays at CL 6 and 10.

[ATHATH]

Here are a bunch of minionmancy spells that I've found:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?480523-Build-it-for-me-please&p=20506950#post20506950

Death Dragon may not be the most optimal spell to cast in combat, but it feels awesome to use, especially with the Master of Day and Night feat.

Olidammara's Bard Spell lets Divine Spellcasters (with the Initiate of Olidammara feat) use some Bard-exclusive spells.

Wither Limb was updated to be a fourth level spell for the Deathbound domain, but, from what I can tell, it's still on the Cleric, Mortal Hunter, Wizard, and Sorcerer spell lists as a second level spell.

Fanfare is a no-save-just-get-stunned for every thing in a 100 ft. cone.

Dragonmark Demesne is one of the best in anti-martial spells out there. It's basically an Antilife Shell that covers a whole sphere, works against any creatures that you haven't specifically allowed inside, has twice the normal radius, is opaque from the outside (giving everyone inside it Total Concealment from those outside of the sphere), and lasts for 2 Hours/Level (which is long enough to rest and regain your spells so that you can cast Dragonmark Demesne again, potentially allowing you to keep it up indefinitely). Anything that doesn't have a ranged attack (or some melee-based Dispel Magic (and its variants), Disintegrate, or hurricane force winds) or an ally that can remove or bypass the DD can't harm you if you combine this spell with Zone of Respite or some other anti-teleportation/summoning spell, and is pretty much dead if it can't flee. DD's only downside is that it must be cast while standing on the ground, but telekinesis-ing a pile of dirt together should suffice to meet that requirement.

Triple Mask+Shenanigans to Get It Persisted=Attack of the Clones.

[ExLibrisMortis]

Not sure whether it's obscure, but: blockade is just hilarious. It's a first-level swift-action spell that summons, for three rounds, a cube of solid wood 5' on a side. A very nice BFC spell in dungeons and such, and good if you need an impromptu 2000 pound weight.

[Vizzerdrix]

I have 3 third party spells that I absolutely love.
Death Blossoms (Quintessential Sorcerer) is a 2nd level wiz/sorc necromancy spell that has a poor duration and number of targets. If blood touches the target of the spell they are forced take either a standard or move action, or take a little bit of damage. Nothing special, but the good part is that any creature that dies while the spell is in effect grows a few fruits that can be ate to get some healing. Nothing in the spell denotes the healing as positive energy so the fruits can be saved for undead companions, or used on things that wouldnt know to drink a potion (horses and such).

Quintessential druid has sommon natures minor ally. A 0th level summon spell that can get a tiny animal. Not very useful but good flavor for druids.

Encyclopaedia Arcane: Necromancy has a cantrip that gets you a tiny zombie or skeleton. Animate Animal. Tiny size animal only and you can only have one active at a time.

As for non third party, I have quite a list. One day Id like to see how much I can optomize each one.
Coral Growth. Create Crawling Claw. Suspension. Create Darkenbeast. Steedance. Sticks and Stones. Clearstone. Serpent Arrow. Minor Servitor. Engulfing Terror. Launch Bolt.

[Thurbane]

I recently discovered Heartache (BoVD) - first level spell that can render 1 target helpless for 1 rounds. I like that it can be Extended to be 2 rounds, and still only 2nd level. Great for coup-de-grace.

[Darrin]

I recently discovered Heartache (BoVD) - first level spell that can render 1 target helpless for 1 rounds. I like that it can be Extended to be 2 rounds, and still only 2nd level. Great for coup-de-grace.

Add Serpent's Tongue (120 GP, Complete Mage) to Extend it as a 1st level spell.

[Sayt]

There's apparently a spell called Greater Knock, that my friend says he saw somewhere, that causes the door to not only unlock, but also explosively detonate away from the caster. It might just be homebew?

My favorite obscure spell that I've personally laid eyes on is probably... Genius Avaricious. Not fantastic, but versatile and interesting.

[KillingAScarab]

It was a 3.0 spell published by Green Ronin (I found it in the pocket grimoires), but sanguine strength is absolutely my favorite find. The arcane version is limited by the strength of the source of the material component, but the divine version doesn't have a material component and the spell was a part of a strength domain. In the one epic level game I played, my cleric was able to give a +20 enhancement bonus to strength with this.

From 3.5, I never got to use them but in The Complete Book of Eldritch Might, learn heritage and recent occupant were both 0th level spells which I felt could have been very useful divinations.

Within both editions and Pathfinder, people still seem to be surprised when I bring up using tiny hut as a sniper's post, but I didn't find that (http://www.cayzle.com/screeds/book011.html) trick on my own.


I love price of friendship. It's basically charm person, but with some key differences. It's level 2. It has no spell components except a focus (a platinum piece given to the target). And best of all, if the subject makes the save, they still have no idea you cast the spell.

If you want to charm someone and can finagle a reason to pay them, it's the way to go.Who has platinum at 3rd or 4th level?

[Starbuck_II]

I recently discovered Heartache (BoVD) - first level spell that can render 1 target helpless for 1 rounds. I like that it can be Extended to be 2 rounds, and still only 2nd level. Great for coup-de-grace.

Angry Ache is an awesome debuffer.

I also like Scramble Position: you do need Truename skill to properly use it but general truename needed not Personal so useful.

[InvisibleBison]

Who has platinum at 3rd or 4th level?

Anyone who can visit a moneychanger.

[martixy]

Sadly I am late to the party. Even before the party started.
Was gonna go with Soul Crystal myself.

Now, I don't really know if it can be counted as obscure exactly, but "Forced Dream" is super nifty as well. [From Magic of Eberron]
Not as groan-inducing or inaccessible as Time Regression, still as effective in many situations.

[Piedmon_Sama]

Vortex of Teeth. You summon a hurricane of FRICKIN' GHOST PIRANHAS. How cool is that? I especially love belting out my cheesiest "g-g-g-GHOST PIRANHAS" at the table whenever my Sorcerer casts it (it is sadly kind of limited in application since the hurricane can't actually move but...)

[Starbuck_II]

Vortex of Teeth. You summon a hurricane of FRICKIN' GHOST PIRANHAS. How cool is that? I especially love belting out my cheesiest "g-g-g-GHOST PIRANHAS" at the table whenever my Sorcerer casts it (it is sadly kind of limited in application since the hurricane can't actually move but...)

Battering Ram, Ring of Ram, etc can help push enemies into it. You just need to plan around it.

[Pex]

Both in Pathfinder

Pilfering Hand and Chain of Perdition

Pilfering Hand is good for range disarm attempts or just to snatch something.

Chain of Perdition lets you do "dirty tricks". You have to roll for it each round of the duration since an individual dirty trick is only good for one round, but sometimes you only need it for one round and the versatility of changing dirty tricks and/or target as needed makes up for it. It's nice to attempt to trip, pull, drag, entangle, etc. at a range. Also useful as a "rope" to pull party members out of pits or even drag yourself out of one, pull yourself over a wall, etc.

[BilltheCynic]

Return to Nature (ECS 118) not so much for casting the spell itself as for the cheese it opens up. It's a 7th level Druid spell with an instantaneous duration. Its effect changes depending on the creature type that it targets (example: humanoid arcane casters gain 1d4 negative levels, dragons and magical beasts take int damage and lose a few supernatural abilities, etc.) Most of the effects are lost after 24 hours except one: giants are affected as if by a Reduce Person spell. Since the spell is instantaneous, the effect stacks and is permanent, which means repeated casting can get you a fine size giant. Combine with primordial half giant and you get a RAW legal 6 inch tall PC with an absurd dex and hide bonus. It is awesome.

[Shpadoinkle]

Who has platinum at 3rd or 4th level?

... Practically everyone? 1 platinum piece is only worth 10 gold pieces, and isn't the WBL for 3rd level supposed to be about 2,000 GP?

[Honest Tiefling]

I really want to find an excuse to somehow use beguiling gift (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/beguiling-gift). It just seems so hilarious.

[Lateral]

Shallantha's Delicate Disk (Lost Empires of Faerun, Sor/Wiz 6). For 200 GP, turns any 1st->5th level spell into a spell-storing item or a grenade you can throw at enemies.
I love that spell. I once spent three hours trying to work out the implications of that spell on warfare. Unfortunately you're limited by the number of 6th level or higher spell slots in your kingdom, but think about the implications of mass-produced cloudkill grenades. :smallbiggrin:

[ATHATH]

I really want to find an excuse to somehow use beguiling gift (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/beguiling-gift). It just seems so hilarious.
Give them a Deck of Many Things, perhaps?

[Honest Tiefling]

Give them a Deck of Many Things, perhaps?

I like how you think. :smallwink: Now just to find an unsuspecting game...

[Petrukio]

Give them a Deck of Many Things, perhaps?

I'm not sure how well that'd work, specifically because of this line:

The character with a deck of many things who wishes to draw a card must announce how many cards she will draw before she begins.

That declaration is an action that -- well, if someone handed you a deck of cards and then immediately asked you to declare how many you were going to draw, I'd get suspicious. Normally, one would just deal cards out for whatever use you were using them for -- for example, five cards for each player in a game of straight Poker. That you specifically need to state how many cards you're going to draw before drawing?

I'd, at the very least, allow another Will save, I think.

[Darrin]

I love that spell. I once spent three hours trying to work out the implications of that spell on warfare. Unfortunately you're limited by the number of 6th level or higher spell slots in your kingdom, but think about the implications of mass-produced cloudkill grenades. :smallbiggrin:

Feh.

Spellthief 1/Wizard Specialist 5/Master Specialist 9 with Master Spellthief feat. Use Expanded Spellbook to grab body outside body from the Wu Jen list. Prepare two 7th level slots with body outside body and at least one 6th level slot with Shallantha's delicate disk.

1) Cast body outside body.
2) Steal the second body outside body from your duplicate.
3) Steal Shallantha's delicate disk from your duplicate.
4) Cast Shallantha's delicate disk to create whatever spellbomb you want.
5) Rinse & repeat.

[Inevitability]

I really want to find an excuse to somehow use beguiling gift (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/beguiling-gift). It just seems so hilarious.

Giving them poisoned food seems the obvious thing to do...

[ATHATH]

Feh.

Spellthief 1/Wizard Specialist 5/Master Specialist 9 with Master Spellthief feat. Use Expanded Spellbook to grab body outside body from the Wu Jen list. Prepare two 7th level slots with body outside body and at least one 6th level slot with Shallantha's delicate disk.

1) Cast body outside body.
2) Steal the second body outside body from your duplicate.
3) Steal Shallantha's delicate disk from your duplicate.
4) Cast Shallantha's delicate disk to create whatever spellbomb you want.
5) Rinse & repeat.
That doesn't work.

"At any one time, a spellthief can possess a maximum number of stolen spell levels equal to his class level (treat 0-level spells as 1/2 level for this purpose)."

Master Spellthief doesn't change this (it only changes the maximum level of spell that you can steal), so you'd need 7 levels of Spellthief to steal Body Outside Body from your duplicate.

[Âmesang]

The closest I've got to a favorite obscure spell is Keraptis' flamecone… from 2nd Edition. :smalltongue: Granted, it's just a fiery version of cone of cold, but considering the history behind the spell's source, the Pyronomicon, being able to cast such an "ancient" spell feels cool and adds a touch of uniqueness to a spellcaster who researches lost arcane lore. Plus if you're able to alter the spell's element, mechanically no different than altering cone of cold, it's like you've taken the power of Keraptis and not only made it your own but you've gone beyond anything the archwizard of White Plume Mountain ever did.


... Practically everyone? 1 platinum piece is only worth 10 gold pieces, and isn't the WBL for 3rd level supposed to be about 2,000 GP?
On the one hand the Player's Handbook seems to heavily suggest that platinum pieces are rare, no-longer-minted-coinage only found in ancient catacombs and the lairs of dragons…

…except that nearly every nation on Oerth, Toril, Eberron, Krynn, and the like appear to still mint them to the point of giving them region-specific names. Heh.

[Vizzerdrix]

I almost forgot Leos Secure Shelter. I prefer it over rope trick because it can be spellstitched, and if you cant find use for a house in combat then youre not trying.