NerdHut
2020-09-12, 03:43 AM
There's a spell from a 1990s video game I love which I'm suprised doesn't have a good analog in D&D 3.5, so I'm homebrewing one up. But since I've never made a homebrew spell before, I'd like some guidance. I have the effects I want, but I'm not sure if it's too powerful or weak for the spell level I chose.
Magic Bomb
Evocation [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close
Target: One 5-ft square
Duration: 1 round/level or until discharged (D)
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
A magic bomb spell occupies a 5-foot square of ground or floor. The bomb detonates when a creature enters the square (or when the spell is cast, if it is placed underneath a creature), dealing 6d6 points of force damage. Any creature in an adjacent square to the bomb takes half as much damage.
You and any characters you specifically choose can pass over the bomb without activating it (though they may still take damage from the area effect). To any other creature the magic bomb is nearly invisible, but you and the chosen characters can see the magic bomb’s location as a faint flame which casts no light.
You can remove the bomb whenever desired. Another creature can remove it with a successful dispel magic, but attempting to dispel the bomb and failing to do so triggers the explosion.
Note: Magic traps such as a magic bomb are hard to detect and disable. A character with the Trapfinding ability can use the Search skill to find the bomb and Disable Device to thwart it. The DC in each case is 25 + spell level, or 28 for magic bomb.
Material component
A short string treated with sugar of lead
I used explosive runes as my starting point and tweaked it till it felt right.
If it seems too powerful, I'd rather nerf it than bump up the spell level. But any input (including spotting spelling/grammar issues) on how to improve the spell would be appreciated.
Magic Bomb
Evocation [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close
Target: One 5-ft square
Duration: 1 round/level or until discharged (D)
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
A magic bomb spell occupies a 5-foot square of ground or floor. The bomb detonates when a creature enters the square (or when the spell is cast, if it is placed underneath a creature), dealing 6d6 points of force damage. Any creature in an adjacent square to the bomb takes half as much damage.
You and any characters you specifically choose can pass over the bomb without activating it (though they may still take damage from the area effect). To any other creature the magic bomb is nearly invisible, but you and the chosen characters can see the magic bomb’s location as a faint flame which casts no light.
You can remove the bomb whenever desired. Another creature can remove it with a successful dispel magic, but attempting to dispel the bomb and failing to do so triggers the explosion.
Note: Magic traps such as a magic bomb are hard to detect and disable. A character with the Trapfinding ability can use the Search skill to find the bomb and Disable Device to thwart it. The DC in each case is 25 + spell level, or 28 for magic bomb.
Material component
A short string treated with sugar of lead
I used explosive runes as my starting point and tweaked it till it felt right.
If it seems too powerful, I'd rather nerf it than bump up the spell level. But any input (including spotting spelling/grammar issues) on how to improve the spell would be appreciated.