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View Full Version : DM Help Scaling Telekinesis



ZenBear
2019-07-08, 06:19 PM
I'm creating some homebrew spells that scale from cantrip to 9th level, and I'm working on Telekinesis right now. The idea is that cantrip level is equal to Mage Hand but without the limitations of conjuring a physical hand to move things around and just moving them directly ala the 5th level Telekinesis spell. Starting from 1st level you will be able to move larger objects and manhandle creatures of Small size, scaling to Gargantuan at 9th level. This is my rough draft:

Telekinesis
Transmutation
Casting time: Action
Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: 10 minutes, concentration

You gain the ability to move or manipulate creatures or objects by thought. When you cast the spell, and as your action each round for the duration, you can exert your will on one creature or object that you can see within range, causing the appropriate effect below. You can affect the same target round after round, or choose a new one at any time. If you switch targets, the prior target is no longer affected by the spell.

Creature. You can try to move a creature of a size equal to or smaller than the spell level allows (see list below). Make an ability check with your spellcasting ability contested by the creature's Strength check. If you win the contest, you move the creature up to 30 feet in any direction, including upward but not beyond the range of this spell. Until the end of your next turn, the creature is restrained in your telekinetic grip. A creature lifted upward is suspended in mid-air. On subsequent rounds, you can use your action to attempt to maintain your telekinetic grip on the creature by repeating the contest.

Object. You can try to move an object of a weight that the spell level allows (see list below). If the object isn't being worn or carried, you automatically move it up to 30 feet in any direction, but not beyond the range of this spell. If the object is worn or carried by a creature, you must make an ability check with your spellcasting ability contested by that creature's Strength check. If you succeed, you pull the object away from that creature and can move it up to 30 feet in any direction but not beyond the range of this spell. You can exert fine control on objects with your telekinetic grip, such as manipulating a simple tool, opening a door or a container, stowing or retrieving an item from an open container, or pouring the contents from a vial.

Cantrip: 10 lbs
1st level: 100 or Small creature
2nd level: 250 lbs
3rd level: 500 lbs or Medium creature
4th level: 1k lbs
5th level: 2.5k lbs or Large creature
6th level: 5k lbs
7th level: 10k lbs Huge creature
8th level: 25k lbs
9th level: 50k lbs or Gargantuan creature


I'm trying to make the scaling smooth but still functioning sensibly by the typical weight of the appropriately sized creatures. An Ogre (https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ogre) for example is around 550 lbs, so the spell level required to lift one (5th) should be able to lift a bit more weight of inanimate matter since the living thing is fighting it.

Tvtyrant
2019-07-08, 06:24 PM
I'm creating some homebrew spells that scale from cantrip to 9th level, and I'm working on Telekinesis right now. The idea is that cantrip level is equal to Mage Hand but without the limitations of conjuring a physical hand to move things around and just moving them directly ala the 5th level Telekinesis spell. Starting from 1st level you will be able to move larger objects and manhandle creatures of Small size, scaling to Gargantuan at 9th level. This is my rough draft:

Telekinesis
Transmutation
Casting time: Action
Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: 10 minutes, concentration

You gain the ability to move or manipulate creatures or objects by thought. When you cast the spell, and as your action each round for the duration, you can exert your will on one creature or object that you can see within range, causing the appropriate effect below. You can affect the same target round after round, or choose a new one at any time. If you switch targets, the prior target is no longer affected by the spell.

Creature. You can try to move a creature of a size equal to or smaller than the spell level allows (see list below). Make an ability check with your spellcasting ability contested by the creature's Strength check. If you win the contest, you move the creature up to 30 feet in any direction, including upward but not beyond the range of this spell. Until the end of your next turn, the creature is restrained in your telekinetic grip. A creature lifted upward is suspended in mid-air. On subsequent rounds, you can use your action to attempt to maintain your telekinetic grip on the creature by repeating the contest.

Object. You can try to move an object of a weight that the spell level allows (see list below). If the object isn't being worn or carried, you automatically move it up to 30 feet in any direction, but not beyond the range of this spell. If the object is worn or carried by a creature, you must make an ability check with your spellcasting ability contested by that creature's Strength check. If you succeed, you pull the object away from that creature and can move it up to 30 feet in any direction but not beyond the range of this spell. You can exert fine control on objects with your telekinetic grip, such as manipulating a simple tool, opening a door or a container, stowing or retrieving an item from an open container, or pouring the contents from a vial.

Cantrip: 10 lbs
1st level: 100 or Small creature
2nd level: 250 lbs
3rd level: 500 lbs or Medium creature
4th level: 1k lbs
5th level: 2.5k lbs or Large creature
6th level: 5k lbs
7th level: 10k lbs Huge creature
8th level: 25k lbs
9th level: 50k lbs or Gargantuan creature


I'm having a bit of a hard time making the scaling smooth but still functioning sensibly by the typical weight of the appropriately sized creatures. An Ogre (https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ogre) for example is around 550 lbs, so the spell level required to lift one (5th) should be able to lift a similar weight of inanimate matter.

Inanimate objects don't struggle, so I think you could easily increase the inanimate amount over the size of an animated object. A gargantuan creature is going to fight, a rock just hangs there.

Corran
2019-07-08, 07:20 PM
You could also play around with the duration (and with the concentration requirement). For example, using an 8th level slot with it could not require concentration, and with a 9th level slot you could also increase the duration up to 1 hour or something.