[3.5] Am I missing something, or does this spell do nothing?

[deuxhero]

Elf Disguise. Is it just me, or is this spell worth less than the goggles?

[Sinfire Titan]

Elf Disguise. Is it just me, or is this spell worth less than the goggles?

It's about as useful as being able to change skin color. The fact that they think the is equal to a 1st level spell is beyond me. Changelings, at the very least, get a +10 bonus for that same effect!

[The Demented One]

Elf Disguise. Is it just me, or is this spell worth less than the goggles?

It has a duration in hours/level, rather than Disguise Self's 10 min/level. And in exchange it's...cripplingly overspecialized. lol.

[ForzaFiori]

It's only use is pretty much given in the description. Drow use it to disguise theirself as surface elves. Since they have elf like structure (being elves) with the skin, hair, and eye color changes, they look like a surface elf.

[deuxhero]

but at the point you could keep it up for 24 hours (ECL 4 for a sorc, ECL 7 for a wiz. take some from bonus slots for high ability scores) you can afford a hat of disquise and not blow all your spell slots.

[Sinfire Titan]

but at the point you could keep it up for 24 hours (ECL 4 for a sorc, ECL 7 for a wiz. take some from bonus slots for high ability scores) you can afford a hat of disquise and not blow all your spell slots.

And get an actual bonus!

[peacenlove]

It would work better as a cantrip. Too specialized and ineffective for a first level spell.

[ericgrau]

But with things like disguises, unlike most other spells, is that you usually know ahead of time that you'll need it. At least within the spell's duration. Thus it's one major disadvantage is negated. Otherwise, you simply prepare something else. So, ya, get it if you'll need it, don't if you won't. Simple.

Oh, and a bunch of 25 gp scrolls of elf disguise is cheaper than a hat of disguide if it comes down to money, unless you plan on spending weeks in the disguise. The hat of disguise does not become affordable until at least level 6 or 7, maybe 8-9 since it's only a utility item.

[Studoku]

This spell amuses me.

Mainly because while copying out the entire beguiler spell list, I accidentally gave my character a spell named Disguise Elf. Which was, coincidentally, used to disguise his elven nature.

EDIT: Actually, this spell would have been pretty useful.

[Thrawn183]

What gets me is, without giving a bonus to the skill check, how is this any different than just making a normal disguise check? Isn't this just a waste of a spell?

[absolmorph]

It has a duration in hours/level, rather than Disguise Self's 10 min/level. And in exchange it's...cripplingly overspecialized. lol.

And gives no bonus to anything, RAW.
Except you have a magical effect around you, so anyone using Detect Magic will notice that.

[Temotei]

Clerics get it, if that's any consolation for the waste of a spell slot.

Then again, the trickery domain gives disguise self...but if you don't have that, then this spell is available.

[RS14]

And gives no bonus to anything, RAW.
Except you have a magical effect around you, so anyone using Detect Magic will notice that.

Disguise:
"Magic that alters your form, such as alter self, disguise self, polymorph, or shapechange, grants you a +10 bonus on Disguise checks (see the individual spell descriptions). "

Also "This spell works much like disguise self, except..."

[Tyndmyr]

Technically useful, but practically...not much.

It's sort of like the spell Detect Undead. It's just too specific, especially considering that most undead are blatantly obvious anyhow.

[TheCountAlucard]

It would work better as a cantrip. Too specialized and ineffective for a first level spell.

It is a cantrip; it's called prestidigitation.

It can color, clean, or soil items in a 1-foot cube each round.

Might take a little longer to apply the disguise, but it does pretty much the same thing.

[Oslecamo]

Might take a little longer to apply the disguise, but it does pretty much the same thing.

Your skin/character is not an item. By that logic, you could kill things with prestidigiation by "cleaning" them of their vital organs.

[Tyndmyr]

It is a cantrip; it's called prestidigitation.

Might take a little longer to apply the disguise, but it does pretty much the same thing.

Well, except that prestidigitation specifically forbids you from using it to replace another spell.

[Vizzerdrix]

Well, except that prestidigitation specifically forbids you from using it to replace another spell.

What other spell?

[Tyndmyr]

What other spell?

Any.

SRD: Finally, a prestidigitation lacks the power to duplicate any other spell effects.

[BobVosh]

What other spell?

Elf Disguise. Disguise self. Your choice I guess.

[Vizzerdrix]

Elf Disguise. Disguise self. Your choice I guess.

I know nothing of this spell, there for it doesn't exist. Now, proceed to color yourself as you see fit with prestidigitation. Might I recommend turquoise? Pass yourself off as a rare silvervain Mountain elf. only six known to exist.

[Tyndmyr]

Uh, ignoring a rule is not the same as following the rules.

[Indon]

Uh, ignoring a rule is not the same as following the rules.

It's all about if the DM is aware of it, really.

That said, you would use Disguise Self or Alter Self or a core illusion spell to make yourself turquoise anyway, so you still couldn't really prestidigitate yourself.

[Tyndmyr]

It's all about if the DM is aware of it, really.

Right, but doing something you know isn't strictly legal just because the DM isn't aware of the illegality is...not exactly on firm grounds.

[Zeta Kai]

Yeah, both elf disguise & Vhaeraun's nightshield are made of suck. That page isn't very useful. Flavorful, but not useful. It does have soul charge, though, which is a great low-level necromancy spell.

Your skin/character is not an item. By that logic, you could kill things with prestidigiation by "cleaning" them of their vital organs.

That's the best use of the presto that I've ever seen. Kudos.

[Debihuman]

It's one of those niche spells--not at all useful unless you are playing a drow character. However, if you do fall in the right niche, it can be very useful. This is the kind of spell that a DM loves more than a player loves. It is useful on NPCs who masquerade as normal elves. A drow scouting party sent to the surface as spies for a few hours of reconnaissance can be interesting. Of course it doesn't solve all the problems of being a drow but it mitigates it. And if nothing else, it's a spell that you can use in dealing with drow--let them get a hold of it and see what happens.

Not all spells are created equal. Some will be more useful than others based on the kind of game you play in. If you tend to favor more combat and less espionage, this spell won't be as interesting or useful.

Debby

[Ravens_cry]

On the other hand, Soul Charge looks like fun. Vile, soul stealing evil, necromantic, fun.

[Indon]

Right, but doing something you know isn't strictly legal just because the DM isn't aware of the illegality is...not exactly on firm grounds.

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of the DM using that source material or not in the campaign.

Uses of prestidigitation do not become invalid for everyone because some obscure spell gets written down somewhere.

[Optimystik]

Changing a character's whole appearance with Prestidigitation seems a bit beyond the scope of a cantrip to me.

[Tyndmyr]

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of the DM using that source material or not in the campaign.

Uses of prestidigitation do not become invalid for everyone because some obscure spell gets written down somewhere.

Well, disguise self is core...so I don't see this being an issue.