[3.5] Death Ward, Fly, Freedom of Movement, Mind Blank & True Seeing

[Thurbane]

So...just a very open general query.

What are some methods to get the following spells, or an equivalent effect, on characters without relying on being a spellcaster or getting them from an allied spellcaster?

In short, looking for items, feats, non-caster class levels or low LA races/templates that can give you these benefits:


Death Ward: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/deathWard.htm) Grants immunity to death spells and negative energy effects.
Fly: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fly.htm) Subject flies at speed of 60 ft.
Freedom of Movement: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/freedomOfMovement.htm) Subject moves normally despite impediments.
Mind Blank: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/mindBlank.htm) Subject is immune to mental/emotional magic and scrying.
True Seeing: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/trueSeeing.htm) Lets you see all things as they really are.

...I suspect there may already be topics about this, but I couldn;t find one that suited my needs.

Cheers - T

[Ramza00]

True Seeing has many sources but the cheapest is the broken LA+0 Cohort Race Beguiler (magical beast race it looks like a Pikachu) these can also be improved familiar.

I haven't had time to play it but in my maybe someday builds I have a planned Thrallherd Beguiler who has a cohort an Arcane Wizard probably an Abjuration / Innate of the Seven Fold Veil / Dispel Master. Yeah you are supposed to use the LA+0 for the Cohort but I think it is reasonable and I know the resident DM would be okay with me pretending my Thrallherd Cohort is my main character and only someone knows the cute magical beast is actually the true master behind the scenes. Oh if this ever happens the Beguiler race would be re-flavored as a Cat, for Cats are magical beasts who "own" their humans after all :smallwink:

[Red Fel]

So...just a very open general query.

What are some methods to get the following spells, or an equivalent effect, on characters without relying on being a spellcaster or getting them from an allied spellcaster?

In short, looking for items, feats, non-caster class levels or low LA races/templates that can give you these benefits:


Death Ward: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/deathWard.htm) Grants immunity to death spells and negative energy effects.
Fly: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fly.htm) Subject flies at speed of 60 ft.
Freedom of Movement: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/freedomOfMovement.htm) Subject moves normally despite impediments.
Mind Blank: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/mindBlank.htm) Subject is immune to mental/emotional magic and scrying.
True Seeing: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/trueSeeing.htm) Lets you see all things as they really are.

...I suspect there may already be topics about this, but I couldn;t find one that suited my needs.

Cheers - T

I'm pretty sure that the Necropolitan template gets you #1. Undead are immune to death effects, and healed by negative energy.

Dragonborn template gets you #2, whether you choose to take the Wings aspect and gain Ex flight automatically at level 6, or take another aspect and grab flight via feats available to Dragonborn.

The Enigma Helm soulmeld grants Nondetection, which is a miniature version of Mind Blank, and if you can bind it to the Crown chakra (which an Incarnate can do at level 2) it also grants immunity to Enchantment (charm) spells. There are also a few soulmelds that grant See Invisibility (Illusion Veil and Keeneye Lenses) when bound to the Brow chakra (level 9) - it's not as great as True Seeing, but it's a step in that direction.

Freedom of Movement, though, that's a tough one.

[ViperMagnum357]

Soulfire provides continuous Death Ward for the price of a +4 enhancement to armor only. A must have for non casters who cannot come up with immunity to Energy Drain with Race/template/class.

Each of the other spells listed has a Core item that grants the effect, so even if your DM will not allow custom items or literally anything outside Core, those should be accessible to all.

[ben-zayb]

I believe these effects were included in the list of necessary magic items. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?187851-3-5-Lists-of-Necessary-Magic-Items)

[Goaty14]

I know perma- Mind Blank via the capstone of the Occult Slayer (CWar, 5-level prestige class), along with some other antimagic defenses.

[Ramza00]

Just pointing out the list of stuff will answer many of these questions but not all of them since magic items for the most part is not on the list of stuff.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?454553

If your DM allows eternal wands (which require you to be an arcane spellcaster but even a cantrip works and then there is no UMD check) or custom wondrous items based off spells understand almost all of Mindblank is granted when you use two spells together.

Disobediance 3rd level spell Complete Scoundrel makes you immune to mind affecting spells and abilities of all forms including ones that try to control you such as Dominate and Charm. It lasts 1 hour per caster level so it is cheap to make a magic item or eternal wand with...well kind of reasonably cheap. It also has other abilities that I am not listing where if someone does try to mind control you can then trick them.

Nondetection is a SRD spell and it is on the Wizard / Sorc 3 list (other lists it can be 4th level) which makes anyone who tries to use a divination ability to locate you must make a caster level check of 15+ Caster Level (if it comes from an item) and thus CL 20 if you use a Caster Level of 5 when crafting the magic item with a 3rd level spell. Also the duration is 1 hour / level.

Together these effects are almost mindblank but we are talking effects avaliabile at much lower levels, even e6 level of gameplay if you are a spellcaster (which you are not) but level 10 or so if you want to dedicate it as a major magic item of your wealth by level (but still less than 1/4th of your wealth for one of these two items.)

Also Necropolitian makes you immune to mind affecting effects for undead are immune to mind affecting effects.

[Thurbane]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

So, Freedom of Movement sources (most are limited uses/time per day unless noted otherwise):


Arachnomancer 5 (webs only)
Bloodhound 8 (limited)
Cowl of Warding [epic item] (always on, plus Mind Blank)
Crystal of Aquatic Action, greater (underwater effects only)
Freedom armor property (always on)
Freedom of Movement ring (always on)
Jaunter 4 (limited)
King/queen of the Wild 10
Mythic Exemplar 10 (Orsos) (always on)
Ranger 16 (CW non-casting variant)
Scaled Horror 2 (underwater effects only, limited)
Swiftblade 8 (always on, and enhanced!)
Third Eye Freedom wondrous item
Travel Domain power (limited)
Vest of Free Movement wondrous item
Vestments of Ebonsilk (relic) (always on)
Vow of Poverty feat (14th level, always on)

There's also a fair number of monsters that get it as an SLA or special quality, but none that have anything like a reasonable LA that I am aware of.

[Ramza00]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

So, Freedom of Movement sources (most are limited uses/time per day unless notes):

There's also a fair number of monsters that get it as an SLA or special quality, but none that have anything like a reasonable LA that I am aware of.

Once again magic item, but Freedom of Movement is a 4th level spell but Heart of Water is a 3rd Level Spell. It lasts 1 hour per level, and as a swift action you can activate a freedom of movement effect (ending the other benefits of Heart of Water) that lasts 1 round per caster level.

Since it is a 3rd level spell once again you can spend the necessary gold to get a custom magic item of it for reasonably cheap, or an eternal wand.

[flappeercraft]

Deformity (Madness) gives you complete immunity to mind affecting so it's like pseudo Mind Blank.
Vecna Blooded template (MM5) gives you immunity to divinations.

While neither of those are exactly what you asked for, they are pretty close and when combined cover Mind Blank and a little bit more.

[ExLibrisMortis]

The Enigma Helm soulmeld grants Nondetection, which is a miniature version of Mind Blank, and if you can bind it to the Crown chakra (which an Incarnate can do at level 2) it also grants immunity to Enchantment (charm) spells. There are also a few soulmelds that grant See Invisibility (Illusion Veil and Keeneye Lenses) when bound to the Brow chakra (level 9) - it's not as great as True Seeing, but it's a step in that direction.
Planar Ward grants (the effects of) protection from alignment, which takes care of some of the more dangerous mind-affecting abilities.

[Anthrowhale]

For Death Ward and 1/2 of Mind Blank, I like Warforged Juggernaut since it's a class ability, and hence far more persistent than spells or items.

If you are a non-spellcasting shapeshifter of some sort, then Assume Supernatural Ability can sometimes grant True Seeing.

[ViperMagnum357]

One of my favorites: the Void Mind Template from MM3. LA +3 is no joke, but if you need certain immunities without becoming Undead/Construct or spending most of your wealth on items, it is something to consider. Immunity to Mind Influencing effects, Energy Drain, and importantly complete immunity to Ability Damage and Drain.

[Troacctid]

Gravetouched Ghoul (Libris Mortis) is another nice template for undead immunities. Changes your type to undead (with +2 turn resistance) while also boosting your ability scores across the board and giving you three paralyzing natural attacks, plus Multiattack as a bonus feat.

Greater Crystal of Aquatic Action (Magic Item Compendium) is an armor crystal that provides continuous freedom of movement for only 3000 gp, but only underwater. (Also gives you a swim speed equal to half your land speed, lets you breathe water, and negates any armor check penalty you have to Swim checks.)

The Deformity (Madness) feat (Elder Evils) makes you immune to mind-affecting and allows you to use an immediate action once per minute to gain a bonus on a single Will save equal to your character level. However, it imposes a -4 penalty to Wisdom. Requires Willing Deformity. From the same book, there's also Insane Defiance, another Vile feat, which doesn't make you immune to mind-affecting, but allows you to use an immediate and take 1 point of Wisdom damage to negate any mind-affecting effect targeting you and redirect it to a new target instead, with the new target taking -4 to their save. This one is great because not only does it protect you, you can also use it offensively by targeting yourself with a mind-affecting effect and then redirecting it to the actual target so they take the -4 penalty.

My top item for flight is winged mask because it's one of the rare ones that isn't self-only. You can just cast fly at will, with the normal touch range. Spread it around to the whole party.

I've been collecting a list of useful magic items for Warlocks in a big spreadsheet. It's a work in progress, but you can find it here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NruaQwYpoklD0b6XtylZQxwXLbZU5PWJVwIFLI8xmfw/edit?usp=sharing). Turns out a lot of good Warlock items are also broadly applicable.

[ben-zayb]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

So, Freedom of Movement sources (most are limited uses/time per day unless noted otherwise):


Arachnomancer 5 (webs only)
Bloodhound 8 (limited)
Crystal of Aquatic Action, greater (underwater effects only)
Freedom armor property (always on)
Freedom of Movement ring (always on)
Jaunter 4 (limited)
King/queen of the Wild 10
Mythic Exemplar 10 (Orsos) (always on)
Ranger 16 (CW non-casting variant)
Scaled Horror 2 (underwater effects only, limited)
Swiftblade 8 (always on, and enhanced!)
Third Eye Freedom wondrous item
Travel Domain power (limited)
Vest of Free Movement wondrous item
Vestments of Ebonsilk (relic) (always on)
Vow of Poverty feat (14th level, always on)

There's also a fair number of monsters that get it as an SLA or special quality, but none that have anything like a reasonable LA that I am aware of.

You missed Cowl of Warding (MoF, wondrous item). That 200.8k pricetag, though...

[Jack_Simth]

You missed Cowl of Warding (MoF, wondrous item). That 200.8k pricetag, though...
Yes, but it also comes with Mind Blank and a little Spell Turning on one slot. Well worth the effort.

Also:
Hathran Mask of True Seeing (Unapproachable East) does what it says on the tin whenever worn.

Between the two, that's Freedom of Movement, Mind Blank, and True Seeing. Wings of Flying (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#wingsofFlying) grant the Fly spell as an at-will. And Soulfire armor from the Book of Exalted Deeds has already been mentioned. That gets all five list items via magic items, full-time. It's a bit expensive, though.

[The Viscount]

You can get most of these effects from binder, though getting them all at once may be beyond it.

Karsus can use items like a wizard of your binder level, so wands or runestaves can be used. That's kind of a copout answer, so let's see what else we can do.

Freedom of movement is split into two vestiges, Shax for yourself and Vanus (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dd/20060407a) for others. Both are for short periods, but unlimited use.

True Seeing comes from Ipos, again briefly but unlimited use. The Keeneye lenses bound to your soul provide a permanent effect on the incarnum front.

Mind Blank comes from Haures. No tricks, always on.

Weirdly, binder can only do flight through swift fly and gaseous form, so you're better off with items. Winged Mask is the usual, but feathered wings graft from FF is cheaper and slotless, if you can accept the face penalties If you up your and speed like with boots of striding and springing, it's faster, too.

[Piggy Knowles]

Humans that lack a dragonmark can qualify for Heir of Siberys pretty easily (costs a feat, but you get back two in return, and requires minimal level investment) to grab the Siberys Mark of Sentinel, for mind blank 1-2 times per day. It also qualifies you for the completely amazing Mark of Stars feat, which just straight up makes you immune to being surprised or flat-footed. It’s a staple on several of my defensive builds.

[Necroticplague]

So...just a very open general query.

What are some methods to get the following spells, or an equivalent effect, on characters without relying on being a spellcaster or getting them from an allied spellcaster?

In short, looking for items, feats, non-caster class levels or low LA races/templates that can give you these benefits:


Death Ward: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/deathWard.htm) Grants immunity to death spells and negative energy effects.
Fly: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fly.htm) Subject flies at speed of 60 ft.
Freedom of Movement: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/freedomOfMovement.htm) Subject moves normally despite impediments.
Mind Blank: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/mindBlank.htm) Subject is immune to mental/emotional magic and scrying.
True Seeing: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/trueSeeing.htm) Lets you see all things as they really are.

...I suspect there may already be topics about this, but I couldn't find one that suited my needs.

Cheers - T

The list of necessary magic items (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?187851-3-5-Lists-of-Necessary-Magic-Items) includes several ways to get all of these. Just select whichever options work within your budget. A Cowl of Warding, Phoenix Cloak, and Mathran Mask of True Seeing with either +X Soulfire Bondleaf Armor or a +X Soulfire Darkwood Heavy Shield provides all of those, though that's the higher-level where you need all of them constantly (and is appropriately pricey).

[WhamBamSam]

Dragon Wild Shape (on say a Champion of the Wild Wild Shape Ranger since you don't want to be a spellcaster) can get you Flight (most dragons), Freedom of Movement (Tartarian Dragon), and True Seeing (Deep Dragon).

[noob]

Scout also gets freedom of movement as a level 18 feature.
The scout also gets a capstone that grants blindsight but also the ability to ignore darkness, invisibility and most forms of concealment without a range(since it is a separate sentence from the one that grants blindsight and it only says it needs line of sight but it does not says it have the same range cap as the blindsight ability)
So that ability while not being true seeing exactly provide some stuff true seeing does not provide.
So with a dragonborn necropolitan scout you get all the abilities of the list as extraordinary abilities except for true seeing(but you get something close to true-seeing).

[Fizban]

You mention flight: how much speed and maneuverability do you want? Raptoran and Dragonborn are the standard LA 0, eventually gaining 30' Average at 10th/11th. One feat (Improved Flight from Complete Adventurer is the broadest) will improve that to Good, and another feat (Air Heritage from Planar Handbook) can boost the speed to 60'. Any dragonblood can get the wings with two feats, as can an Aasimar or Tiefling with Celestial/Fiendish Blooline+Outsider Wings from Races of Faerun (and can be LA 0 thanks to the same book). Or an Air Mephling (from PlH again) starts with 10' perfect at LA+1, though they can only boost to 20' with Air Heritage. As long as you've got some amount of fly speed, an item of Cloud Wings (SpC) is far cheaper and longer lasting than any flight spell and gives you +30'.

Drow of the Underdark somewhat canonized the bargain basement 1/day wondrous item plan, except they also gave a massive caster level boost to 1st and 2nd level spells as a bonus- as long as you're not reading the "typically contains" line as restrictive. An Air Mephling with a DHI (or 10 potions) of Cloud Wings has a fairly impressive 40' perfect, at least until someone starts using Improved Flight with Fly/Overland Flight.

Another effect often overlooked is Air Walk, which has a longer duration and lets you use any land speed effects you have- its 45* maximum up/down angle and lack of double speed diving are significant changes, but you also can't be trip-stalled so that's a plus. There's a continuous Air Walk item in MiC, the Cloudwalker Anklets from the Raiment of the Stormwalker, but in one of those "items included" bad guy occasions, you can find a non-druidy one 20% cheaper in ring form in Elder Evils. The only reason to seriously pursue Air Walk at that price is because you've got lots of land speed, but when it comes to custom items, 4th level 10 min/level is right between Fly and Overland Flight.