How powerful is this ability?

[SangoProduction]

You compel the target to attack the nearest creature on it next turn (Will negates). The target moves until this creature is within range and makes at least one attack with a weapon, natural attack, or unarmed strike. If no such creature can be reached, the target instead deals damage to itself equal to 1d8 + its Strength modifier with whatever it has in hand.
So, this soaks up a move action, and a standard action from a target that fails its will save, in addition to dealing damage to another target (all at a cost of just a standard action...and the fact that it is immune to the effect for 24 hours after the first time it is used). Now, it is obviously not all-powerful as someone with a ranged attack often won't need to move, and wouldn't be particularly inconvenienced by needing to soak 1 attack in to an ally (at higher levels), and if your front line are bum-rushing your target, then you aren't so much soaking actions as simply telling it to do what it was already going to do....in which case you simply wouldn't use it. But still.

This seems like a pretty good ability that's plenty worth the standard action to use, in the cases where it would actually soak entire actions.

[TheTeaMustFlow]

Seems like it could be good, but there's a bunch of other factors to consider.

What's the save DC?

Does this count as mind-affecting?

What level are you getting this at?

How often can you use it?

What does getting this ability cost you?

etc.

[SangoProduction]

Seems like it could be good, but there's a bunch of other factors to consider.

What's the save DC?

Does this count as mind-affecting?

What level are you getting this at?

How often can you use it?

What does getting this ability cost you?

etc.
Scaling. Can get quite substantial with investment.
Yes.
As early as level 1.
Up to once per creature.
A standard action.

[Kayblis]

I agree with Tea here, the specifics are a good part of the ability's power.
But all things considered, compared to common Enchantment effects this is a pretty weak ability. The fact that it specifies a single attack within range actually puts it way below the good mind-control abilities, that specify stuff in the vein of "attacks the target at the best of its abilities, employing special attacks or spells as appropriated". The 1 round duration is also a big damp in utility. The 24h restriction is really not needed here. Overall it's about on par with some lesser class features, most of the time you'll have a better use for your standard action.

Edit: With the specifics listed, I can confirm my initial judgement. It's not an ability that'll see much play unless you're fighting a single big monster with a terrible will save.

[nedz]

Apart from hitting themselves it's broadly similar to the level 2 Beguiler spell Stay the Hand — which is an immediate action.

[Khedrac]

I think ability's main use is for when the rest of the party will be able to rip the opponent to shreds with AoOs as it makes its move. Let the person with this ability target an opponent on the other side of the party and watch it be forced to provike from multiple characters (unless it has the movement or tumble not to).

Next up is to target casters (though they are less likely to fails saves) as it prevents them casting for a round. So situationally useful, but it can be very useful.

Ignore this - I misread the ability.

[Psyren]

Isn't this just Confusion (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/c/confusion/), but single-target and with two of the table options removed?

And yeah, it's fine. After all, if you can hit them with a mind-affecting compulsion there's far worse things you could be making them do. There's even a chance that the "nearest creature" is you, or somebody else they'd have wanted to attack anyway.

[stack]

Its mostly the PF1 spell murderous command (1st level spell), but tweaked to be at will by limiting re-use on a single target.

[Hand_of_Vecna]

I actually think the most similar ability would be the Psion power Death Urge. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/deathUrge.htm

Will Save Negates
Presumably Mind Effecting
Spends the targets next round
Decent chance of killing an enemy if the targets damage is reasonably optimized.

The better odds of self murder with Death Urge due to full attack and auto crit are in it's favor, but this spell may sow more chaos even if they aren't able to kill a squishy.

[Telonius]

If there are two equidistant creatures, how would that resolve? Caster picks, target picks, random chance?

[mouser13]

Seems like a improved Backbiter a level one spell. Mix of command and backbiter so bee a level 2 spell or so.

[EldritchWeaver]

Are you talking about Hostility (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/mind#toc21)? That one has upgrades costing spell points (and also no limit on the uses per creature).

[SangoProduction]

Are you talking about Hostility (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/mind#toc21)? That one has upgrades costing spell points (and also no limit on the uses per creature).


Lesser charms are at-will abilities, but you may not target an individual creature more than once in a day with any individual lesser charm.

And I was talking specifically about the lesser charm, thus the specific quote.

Also, some people don't know about Spheres of Power, so not specifying allows people to put it in the general context of the game, without raising a perceived barrier.

[Psyren]

And I was talking specifically about the lesser charm, thus the specific quote.

Also, some people don't know about Spheres of Power, so not specifying allows people to put it in the general context of the game, without raising a perceived barrier.

Plus you get more responses if you don't put Spheres in the opening post :smallwink:

[Calthropstu]

Isn't this just Confusion (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/c/confusion/), but single-target and with two of the table options removed?

And yeah, it's fine. After all, if you can hit them with a mind-affecting compulsion there's far worse things you could be making them do. There's even a chance that the "nearest creature" is you, or somebody else they'd have wanted to attack anyway.

Yeah. Damn erodaemons...