Matt Colville has published a book called "Strongholds and Followers." I recommend it for anyone that wants to consider having a stronghold built during a campaign, even if you are a DM that wants to have NPCs building a Stronghold.
One option after building a "wizard's" tower is to permit spell caster classes to develop new spells. You take an existing spell and add something to it. The spell becomes a new spell on the next higher level from the base spell. I am discussing such a spell proposal with my DM for the Bards spell list. It is called Beethoven's Epic Inspiration. The base spell is Level 2: Enhance Ability.
With Enhance Ability a player gets to roll with advantage any skill (ability) check for the next hour for one of the six ability scores, for example strength. Remember an attack to-hit roll is not an ability or skill check. So for example, my bard could roll with advantage when he is trying to deceive a guard or intimidate a shop keeper, for one hour.
I want to add to this by also saying the ability score is considered to have been raised to a 20 during that hour, but the casting of the spell costs the bard, in addition to any other material components, one bardic inspiration. So at the cost of a level 3 spell slot and one bardic inspiration, a bard, or his friend, could have one ability score raised to 20 for an hour and be allowed to roll skill checks for that ability at advantage.
Does this sound about right for a level 3 spell or crazy OP? I want to create an awesome spell I can use during the times when I am cooling my heels in a town for a few days and have little reason to cast spells, so I can deliver epic performances or fool the guards or stealth my way into a maidens bedroom through the window or something.
So you are saying that STR or DEX or CON would be temporarily go from what it was before casting to "20," thus providing a +5 to rolls while ALSO providing advantage on ability checks for that one stat, correct?
Further questions:
1) Would casting time be the same as Enhance Ability?
2) How would this be affected by magic items that also raise ability scores?
3) Would you be able to target more than 1 creature with this spell if it is upcast?
Well, the Enhance Ability spell is level 2 and grants advantage. Guidance allows a PC to have +1d4 on their roll. This is sort of a combination of the two, advantage and an ability score increase. Note, the Bardic spell would only allow the player to improve skill checks not to-hit and damage rolls. But it would improve initiative rolls.
Yes, the casting time would be the same as E-A.
Magic items would play into this the same as they do for any other condition, if it has the same name it doesn't stack and unless otherwise noted, can't raise an ability score over 20.
Upcasting this for multiple targets sounds reasonable, but only applies to skill checks not attack rolls.
In general it is intended to make someone unnaturally wise, or dexterous, or charismatic, or intelligent. It doesn't allow you to attack with advantage and with +5 to the attribute you use for that attack (usually str or dex).
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
It does seem a little OP as a 3rd level spell since it raises an ability score automatically to a 20 even if it was a penalty previously. Let's say that a PC has a -2 to their DEX. This would not only temporarily erase the penalty, it would also give them a +5 to all DEX related skill checks And advantage on the roll. So rather than being used to raise an already high stat, the best use of the spell would be to boost a very low stat.
Also, you're implying that this spell would have little combat application outside of a boost to initiative rolls if DEX applied, but raising ability scores also affects saving throws, doesn't it?
I was not thinking about it being used for saves either.
If you read Guidance, it says "for an ability check." That is what I am going for.
The main manner where I see this being used is in the court of a noble where (s)he needs to mete out justice so he would need great wisdom, like Solomon, to see to the heart of the truth. So these nobles would employ Bards to grant them the supreme wisdom to carry out their duties when this time would come.
But being a Bard spell, now the Bards could use this to grant top level intelligence to a member of his party if they were investigating something, or top level dexterity if their Rogue was going to do something particularly dangerous (foolhardy?), or he could cast it upon himself if it was the end of a long day and he wanted to perform and unwind at a local tavern. Stuff like that.
Guidance, by itself, allows a +1d4 roll for one attribute used for one ability check, but as a cantrip may be cast over and over again. Enhance ability allows advantage for ability checks for one hour. You could combine them to get something close to what I am proposing here as a single level 3 spell.
Another use for this spell might be to grant the super high dex to your tank that is otherwise clanking around in heavy armor and your party really needs to sneak by some guards or monsters or something.
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I was not thinking about it being used for saves either.
I guess my point is, if the ability score is increased to 20, that would be relevant for ability checks during combat as well as saving throws. Unless you're proposing that the player keep track of two different ability scores on their character sheet. It seems...inelegant. What if you just said that it increases all ability checks related to a particular stat by +3 and grants advantage to those checks in place of changing a stat to 20 temporarily?
That would certainly suit my purposes, because most of the time I plan to use it, +3 would be the equivalent of an ability score of 20, and often it would be better such as my current Bard that has a Charisma of 18 already. But I couldn't use it to help my clumsy tank as much, but +3 with advantage is still a big increase. The reason I like ability score = 20 is it conveys the idea, "as high as any human should ever have", where +3 could give me an "effective" ability score of 24 unless the often heard caveat of "up to a level of 20" were added. I just like using the approach that the 20 is for skill checks.
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I see what you are saying. At the same time, if you actually change the ability scores, even for an hour of in-game time, it could easily lead to confusion and arguments at the table over why that stat increase isn't also useful for saving throws.
I understand where you're coming from. But let me ask you this, let's say, for the moment, that it did simply raise the ability score to 20 (for the purposes of everything), and allowed PCs to make SKILL checks using that ability with advantage, would that be worth a 3rd level spell? Remember this means you're burning a 3rd level spell just to raise an ability score to 20 for an hour.
A full-caster PC (Bard in this case) has only three level 3 spells per long rest. An hour would typically only cover one combat encounter, but it might cover two if the party were able to plan these things out. This is eating up a spell slot that could be used for fireball (assuming Magical Secrets) or Counterspell. That isn't a small price.
It would be interesting if the tank received the Dex bonus of 20 with advantage. The advantage would cancel out his disadvantage for wearing heavy armor but he would still be rolling dex saves at +5 if the spell were set up to allow that. That would be a big plus for a tank if they thought they would need help for a dex save. But consider Bardic Inspiration. If we are considering level 3 spells, then our Bard is already at level 5 or better, so he is handing out d8s for inspiration. If the party believes a dex save is that likely, the Bard could give Bardic Inspiration (lasts up to ten minutes) to the tank (effectively allowing the tank to raise his dex roll by 4.5) and if you have a cleric they could also give Guidance (lasts up to one minute) adding another d4. If somehow the tank rolls very well without the Bardic Inspiration, they can keep it for another attack roll. The cost of a Bardic Inspiration is minimal since they may be replaced by Font of Inspiration during a Short Rest, and of course a cantrip is no cost at all.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I think it's definitely worth a 3rd level spell. I even think it's borderline OP for a 3rd level spell, esp. if used to change a stat penalty into a +5 bonus for an hour. If the benchmark is 15 for skill checks, the affected PC would be able to succeed at most of rolls for which that stat applies. For comparison, look at Glibness. It is an 8th level spell that causes CHA checks to be a minimum of 15 and lasts for an hour.
Matt Colville has published a book called "Strongholds and Followers." I recommend it for anyone that wants to consider having a stronghold built during a campaign, even if you are a DM that wants to have NPCs building a Stronghold.
One option after building a "wizard's" tower is to permit spell caster classes to develop new spells. You take an existing spell and add something to it. The spell becomes a new spell on the next higher level from the base spell. I am discussing such a spell proposal with my DM for the Bards spell list. It is called Beethoven's Epic Inspiration. The base spell is Level 2: Enhance Ability.
With Enhance Ability a player gets to roll with advantage any skill (ability) check for the next hour for one of the six ability scores, for example strength. Remember an attack to-hit roll is not an ability or skill check. So for example, my bard could roll with advantage when he is trying to deceive a guard or intimidate a shop keeper, for one hour.
I want to add to this by also saying the ability score is considered to have been raised to a 20 during that hour, but the casting of the spell costs the bard, in addition to any other material components, one bardic inspiration. So at the cost of a level 3 spell slot and one bardic inspiration, a bard, or his friend, could have one ability score raised to 20 for an hour and be allowed to roll skill checks for that ability at advantage.
Does this sound about right for a level 3 spell or crazy OP? I want to create an awesome spell I can use during the times when I am cooling my heels in a town for a few days and have little reason to cast spells, so I can deliver epic performances or fool the guards or stealth my way into a maidens bedroom through the window or something.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
So you are saying that STR or DEX or CON would be temporarily go from what it was before casting to "20," thus providing a +5 to rolls while ALSO providing advantage on ability checks for that one stat, correct?
Further questions:
1) Would casting time be the same as Enhance Ability?
2) How would this be affected by magic items that also raise ability scores?
3) Would you be able to target more than 1 creature with this spell if it is upcast?
Well, the Enhance Ability spell is level 2 and grants advantage. Guidance allows a PC to have +1d4 on their roll. This is sort of a combination of the two, advantage and an ability score increase. Note, the Bardic spell would only allow the player to improve skill checks not to-hit and damage rolls. But it would improve initiative rolls.
Yes, the casting time would be the same as E-A.
Magic items would play into this the same as they do for any other condition, if it has the same name it doesn't stack and unless otherwise noted, can't raise an ability score over 20.
Upcasting this for multiple targets sounds reasonable, but only applies to skill checks not attack rolls.
In general it is intended to make someone unnaturally wise, or dexterous, or charismatic, or intelligent. It doesn't allow you to attack with advantage and with +5 to the attribute you use for that attack (usually str or dex).
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
It does seem a little OP as a 3rd level spell since it raises an ability score automatically to a 20 even if it was a penalty previously. Let's say that a PC has a -2 to their DEX. This would not only temporarily erase the penalty, it would also give them a +5 to all DEX related skill checks And advantage on the roll. So rather than being used to raise an already high stat, the best use of the spell would be to boost a very low stat.
Also, you're implying that this spell would have little combat application outside of a boost to initiative rolls if DEX applied, but raising ability scores also affects saving throws, doesn't it?
I was not thinking about it being used for saves either.
If you read Guidance, it says "for an ability check." That is what I am going for.
The main manner where I see this being used is in the court of a noble where (s)he needs to mete out justice so he would need great wisdom, like Solomon, to see to the heart of the truth. So these nobles would employ Bards to grant them the supreme wisdom to carry out their duties when this time would come.
But being a Bard spell, now the Bards could use this to grant top level intelligence to a member of his party if they were investigating something, or top level dexterity if their Rogue was going to do something particularly dangerous (foolhardy?), or he could cast it upon himself if it was the end of a long day and he wanted to perform and unwind at a local tavern. Stuff like that.
Guidance, by itself, allows a +1d4 roll for one attribute used for one ability check, but as a cantrip may be cast over and over again. Enhance ability allows advantage for ability checks for one hour. You could combine them to get something close to what I am proposing here as a single level 3 spell.
Another use for this spell might be to grant the super high dex to your tank that is otherwise clanking around in heavy armor and your party really needs to sneak by some guards or monsters or something.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I guess my point is, if the ability score is increased to 20, that would be relevant for ability checks during combat as well as saving throws. Unless you're proposing that the player keep track of two different ability scores on their character sheet. It seems...inelegant. What if you just said that it increases all ability checks related to a particular stat by +3 and grants advantage to those checks in place of changing a stat to 20 temporarily?
That would certainly suit my purposes, because most of the time I plan to use it, +3 would be the equivalent of an ability score of 20, and often it would be better such as my current Bard that has a Charisma of 18 already. But I couldn't use it to help my clumsy tank as much, but +3 with advantage is still a big increase. The reason I like ability score = 20 is it conveys the idea, "as high as any human should ever have", where +3 could give me an "effective" ability score of 24 unless the often heard caveat of "up to a level of 20" were added. I just like using the approach that the 20 is for skill checks.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I see what you are saying. At the same time, if you actually change the ability scores, even for an hour of in-game time, it could easily lead to confusion and arguments at the table over why that stat increase isn't also useful for saving throws.
I understand where you're coming from. But let me ask you this, let's say, for the moment, that it did simply raise the ability score to 20 (for the purposes of everything), and allowed PCs to make SKILL checks using that ability with advantage, would that be worth a 3rd level spell? Remember this means you're burning a 3rd level spell just to raise an ability score to 20 for an hour.
A full-caster PC (Bard in this case) has only three level 3 spells per long rest. An hour would typically only cover one combat encounter, but it might cover two if the party were able to plan these things out. This is eating up a spell slot that could be used for fireball (assuming Magical Secrets) or Counterspell. That isn't a small price.
It would be interesting if the tank received the Dex bonus of 20 with advantage. The advantage would cancel out his disadvantage for wearing heavy armor but he would still be rolling dex saves at +5 if the spell were set up to allow that. That would be a big plus for a tank if they thought they would need help for a dex save. But consider Bardic Inspiration. If we are considering level 3 spells, then our Bard is already at level 5 or better, so he is handing out d8s for inspiration. If the party believes a dex save is that likely, the Bard could give Bardic Inspiration (lasts up to ten minutes) to the tank (effectively allowing the tank to raise his dex roll by 4.5) and if you have a cleric they could also give Guidance (lasts up to one minute) adding another d4. If somehow the tank rolls very well without the Bardic Inspiration, they can keep it for another attack roll. The cost of a Bardic Inspiration is minimal since they may be replaced by Font of Inspiration during a Short Rest, and of course a cantrip is no cost at all.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I think it's definitely worth a 3rd level spell. I even think it's borderline OP for a 3rd level spell, esp. if used to change a stat penalty into a +5 bonus for an hour. If the benchmark is 15 for skill checks, the affected PC would be able to succeed at most of rolls for which that stat applies. For comparison, look at Glibness. It is an 8th level spell that causes CHA checks to be a minimum of 15 and lasts for an hour.
Thanks. I will give that a look.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt