D&D 3E/3.5 What are the "problem" spells in 3E?

[Cloudgatherer]

Maybe I should start another thread... possible solutions to problem spells. People don't seem to like downloading the doc.

Any more spells that we should look at?

 

[Plane Sailing]

So I've been going through all the spells we have been discussing, writing down problems and possible solutions I've seen in the past. Many have been discussed in this thread, others I've seen in the past.

I've tried to not interject any personal bias or house rules in the document I've created. Any comments are welcomed.

If you'd like to debate the balance/house rules/whatever of a particular spell, create a new thread to address it. I'd only like to see spells and a listed reason for a house rule or modification.

Later!

Nicely presented document.

I think you could seriously consider including Gust of Wind and Illusory Wall (3rd and 4th respectively) as "underpowered". Do these look like serious spells when compared with fireball, fly, haste and polymorph x, stoneskin, minor globe of invuln respectively?

Cheers

 

[Cloudgatherer]

Nicely presented document.

I think you could seriously consider including Gust of Wind and Illusory Wall (3rd and 4th respectively) as "underpowered". Do these look like serious spells when compared with fireball, fly, haste and polymorph x, stoneskin, minor globe of invuln respectively?

Cheers

Thanks for the compliment.

I try to look at spells when they've been mentioned a couple times. I'll look at Gust of Wind, but I don't think I've seen much on Illusory Wall before.

I saw the thread that mentions Miracle, but it was a "wish and perversions" thread, not really focused on Miracle versus Wish. My opinion is that it is a "DM Interpretation" spell, meaning the cleric calls upon his deity (the DM) to grant a request. Like Gate (a spell I should probably add to the list), the abuse of the spell should have some sort of consequence over time (Deity says "hey, quit it" or other thoughtful DM hint to the cleric character). That's all I'll say on the matter, and if it comes up again, I'll start a thread regarding Wish vs. Miracle.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Plane Sailing]

You've probably not seen much on illusory wall because it sucks so much that no light can escape the event horizon...

from the SRD

Illusory Wall

Illusion (Figment)
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: Image 1 ft. x 10 ft. x 10 ft.
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: Will disbelief (if interacted with)
Spell Resistance: No

This spell creates the illusion of a wall, floor, ceiling, or similar surface. It appears absolutely real when viewed, but physical objects can pass through it without difficulty. When the spell is used to hide pits, traps, or normal doors, any detection abilities that do not require sight work normally. Touch or probing searches reveal the true nature of the surface, though they do not cause the illusion to disappear.

It may be permanent, but its only true purpose seems to be to make Rarys mnemonic enhancer look good

Cheers

 

[Anubis]

IQs of 150+

Um, it isn't THAT powerful. I have a 150 IQ, and if you don't know what questions to ask because of lack of background information IN THE GAME, even the most intelligent people in the world aren't gonna know what to to. Remember, metagame thinking is not allowed. At least it's not supposed to be. Curb it and your problem is solved.

ANYONE can get lucky with that spell, it ain't got nothing to do with Intelligence.

By the way, I don't think you'll need to worry about players with 150+ IQ anyway considering that accounts for only 1%-2% of the population of the country. (I was in the 99th percentile on the scoring.) Heck I even got a 99 on the ASVAB test for the military, which is the best score you can get, and it still don't help my gaming at all. Hell, I know someone with far less IQ than me is a MUCH better gamer. Gaming is a skill, not academic.

If anything, it's the other way around, and gaming makes you smarter. More thought is put into gaming than into academic nonsense a majority of people never use in their life, such as Trigonometry and Biology. Or how about Ancient History? There's something that'll get you far in the real world . . . I could go on with some RIDICULOUS college class I heard of that some colleges are teaching, such as "Cultural History of Rap", "Ecofeminism", "Cultural Socialism of Star Trek", and "Seeing Queerly" (you heard it right), all of which are utterly useless in reality, but I won't get into a political debate here . . . Nah, gaming requires much more thought and makes you smarter.

Anyway, 150 IQ is the top "normal" level for people anyway. Higher than that, you're considered a GENIUS. (I know ONE person with an IQ of about 200, and that's it.)

So I doubt you'll be getting an entire GROUP of 150 IQ players. Don't sweat it.

 

[Marshall]

Find Traps CLR2

Yeah Right?!? So I get the rogues Traps ability for 1 min/level to use a cross-class skill that I dont have the skill points to put ranks into. This might be an Orison.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

OT

Find Traps CLR2

Yeah Right?!? So I get the rogues Traps ability for 1 min/level to use a cross-class skill that I dont have the skill points to put ranks into. This might be an Orison.

A bit OT, but actually I don't think it should be a spell, I hate spells that jsut steal another classes abilities. (this spell, knock and others should just be removed form the game IMO) My idea here isn't really a problem spell thing though so i'll shut up now.

 

[Cloudgatherer]

Document has been updated. Get it above. I've added gate and the summon monster as well as added a few additional possible solutions/house rules to various spells.

Later.

 

[Al]

I know ONE person with an IQ of about 200, and that's it

Whoa...if this is the standard Mensa IQ test, you know one of the two hundred most intelligent people *in the world*.

As for Contingency/False Vision: Nice try, no cigar. Contingency only works on personal spells; False Vision has range: Close. So it's still useless.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Whoa...if this is the standard Mensa IQ test, you know one of the two hundred most intelligent people *in the world*.

As for Contingency/False Vision: Nice try, no cigar. Contingency only works on personal spells; False Vision has range: Close. So it's still useless.

Yeah but you should see the disadvantages he had to take in order to buy that 200 IQ.