GoodbyeSoberDay
2008-03-03, 04:53 AM
So I was perusing those oft-maligned prestige classes, the Incantatrix and Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil, and I noticed that (along with both living up to their notorious hyperpower) both seem to be geared towards Abjuration specialization. It's probably been noted on these forums that Master Abjurer works quite nicely with IotSV, for one, and Incantatrix forces you to specialize, anyway.
That got me thinking - Abjuration is one of those schools you can't drop because of a few necessary spells, but it doesn't seem to have enough good spells at every level to be a good specializing school. I've read the Guide, and it doesn't list too many Abjuration spells, especially within core. Does someone want to shed light on good Abjuration spells at each level? This is what I've gathered so far:
Core:
1st:
Alarm - Situational at best if you can use Rope Trick to its fullest extent, which you probably can if your DM is allowing something like IotSV or Incantatrix.
Protection From X - Admittedly useful, but this is more the Cleric's department.
Shield - Situational, since you'd rather be casting something more useful in-combat. But it is a nice pre-combat buff, if you know something's coming in a minute.
2nd:
Protection From Arrows - Good when you first get it, but it gets useless in short order. Especially useless if you have access to Wind Wall.
Resist Energy - Very situational. One of those spells you have in your spellbook, but only want to prepare when you know you're going to need it that day.
3rd:
Dispel Magic - Obvious, though it becomes redundant once Greater Dispel rolls around.
Magic Circle Against X - See Protection From X.
Protection From Energy - See Resist Energy.
4th:
Dimensional Anchor: Very nice, but very situational. See Resist Energy.
5th:
Break Enchantment, Dismissal - See Resist Energy.
6th:
Dispel Magic, Greater - Obvious again.
Repulsion - All right, I'll readily admit 11th level is a good level for Abjurers.
7th:
Spell Turning - I'd whine less if it was hours/level, but it would probably be too good then. Of course, if it was hours/level, every wizard would have it up, and you'd get the lasgun effect all the time. How fun!
Banishment - By this level, you probably are fighting extraplanar beings every day, so I guess this is good, too.
8th:
Mind Blank, Prismatic Wall - Yeah, moving on.
9th:
Prismatic Sphere - Nice, but not always the best ninth-level spell you can cast. Of course, that's just because there are so many stupidly good ninth level spells you can cast... Oh, who am I kidding, it doesn't even matter at this level.
So, anyone want to enlighten me on good non-core Abjuration spells, especially in the 1st-5th level range, or correct me on my (probably horrendously-misinformed) ideas about core abjurations?
That got me thinking - Abjuration is one of those schools you can't drop because of a few necessary spells, but it doesn't seem to have enough good spells at every level to be a good specializing school. I've read the Guide, and it doesn't list too many Abjuration spells, especially within core. Does someone want to shed light on good Abjuration spells at each level? This is what I've gathered so far:
Core:
1st:
Alarm - Situational at best if you can use Rope Trick to its fullest extent, which you probably can if your DM is allowing something like IotSV or Incantatrix.
Protection From X - Admittedly useful, but this is more the Cleric's department.
Shield - Situational, since you'd rather be casting something more useful in-combat. But it is a nice pre-combat buff, if you know something's coming in a minute.
2nd:
Protection From Arrows - Good when you first get it, but it gets useless in short order. Especially useless if you have access to Wind Wall.
Resist Energy - Very situational. One of those spells you have in your spellbook, but only want to prepare when you know you're going to need it that day.
3rd:
Dispel Magic - Obvious, though it becomes redundant once Greater Dispel rolls around.
Magic Circle Against X - See Protection From X.
Protection From Energy - See Resist Energy.
4th:
Dimensional Anchor: Very nice, but very situational. See Resist Energy.
5th:
Break Enchantment, Dismissal - See Resist Energy.
6th:
Dispel Magic, Greater - Obvious again.
Repulsion - All right, I'll readily admit 11th level is a good level for Abjurers.
7th:
Spell Turning - I'd whine less if it was hours/level, but it would probably be too good then. Of course, if it was hours/level, every wizard would have it up, and you'd get the lasgun effect all the time. How fun!
Banishment - By this level, you probably are fighting extraplanar beings every day, so I guess this is good, too.
8th:
Mind Blank, Prismatic Wall - Yeah, moving on.
9th:
Prismatic Sphere - Nice, but not always the best ninth-level spell you can cast. Of course, that's just because there are so many stupidly good ninth level spells you can cast... Oh, who am I kidding, it doesn't even matter at this level.
So, anyone want to enlighten me on good non-core Abjuration spells, especially in the 1st-5th level range, or correct me on my (probably horrendously-misinformed) ideas about core abjurations?