Augury Variant

[Pepin]

I find that in my games Augury often turns out to be dissatisfying. I really like the idea of the spell, but practically the questions asked often depend on dice rolls or ask the dm to predict too much of the future.

I think I'm going to allow this variant of the spell which uses a weakened version of the Divination Wizard's Portent. Since I don't currently have any players playing Divination Wizards I'm not too concerned on encroaching on this class.

I'd love to know what the experts here think. Any advice appreciated!

Augury (Variant)
2nd-level enchantment (ritual)
Casting Time:1 minute
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M, (specially marked sticks, bones, or similar tokens worth at least 25 gp)
Duration: Instantaneous

By casting gem-inlaid sticks, rolling dragon bones, laying out ornate cards, or employing some other divining tool, you receive an omen from an otherworldly entity about the results of a specific course of action that you plan to take within the next 30 minutes.

Roll one d20 and record the number rolled. For the next 30 minutes, you can replace any attack roll, saving throw, or ability check made by you or a creature that you can see with this foretold roll. You must choose to do so before rolling.

This foretold roll can be used only once and you can only have one foretold roll at a time.

Each time you cast the spell before completing your next long rest, there is a cumulative 25 percent chance for each casting that you get a random reading and are unable substitute your foretold roll. The DM makes this roll in secret.

[Hitakoh]

Why not just make it a new spell and give it it's own name and leave augury as it is. I don't dislike your idea but it is indeed really close to a divination wizard

[rel]

Seems like a fine if boring change. Divination might be a bit stronger, it's probably fine.

Odd that augury is giving you trouble, I've always thought it was one of the more benign divination's due to the hard limits.

Remember that it can't predict anything more than 30 minutes in the future, any change in circumstances isn't factored into the prediction and the responses are limited to just four options.

Its useful for 'one door leads to riches, the other to certain death' puzzles but for pretty much anything else the result is almost always weal and woe or nothing.

e.g.
we go into the next room?
(next room contains angry monsters and treasure) weal and woe.

we ask the chief for a better reward?
(spell can't factor in changes of circumstances like passing a diplomacy check to make the chief more friendly) nothing.

we open the mysterious sealed urn?
(it's full of spoiled lard. stop agonizing and kick down the next door) nothing.

we assume the terrified commoner isn't a monster in disguise and agree to escort them out of the dungeon?
(it's a normal commoner but even if it was actually a monster, nothing is happening in the next 30 minutes) nothing.

We open the chest?
(it's trapped and full of loot) weal and woe.

Don't get me wrong, it's a very useful info gathering spell but most of the time it lacks the predictive power to tell you anything you didn't already know or strongly suspect.