I’ve been wondering if I should pick this up for a warlock im running. It would fit the theme well but im not sure if the uses of this would be worth using more than mage hand or prestigitation. Is there any real reason I should take it or not take it?
Mind sliver is an awesome spell. INT save. Psychic damage. And a minus 1d4 to the target's next saving throw debuff. If mind sliver is available to me, I take it, no question.
If you’re looking for something utilitarian to use outside of combat, you can’t do much better than either mage hand or prestidigitation.
If you’re looking for a solid combat spell that you can use to either self perpetuate or help buff a teammate, then it’s hard to do better than mind sliver.
First off it forces an Intelligence saving throw, which means it’s very likely to go through. Very few monsters are proficient in Int saves, and lots and lots of monsters have relatively low Int.
Next, it deals psychic damage which very few monsters are resistant or immune to.
Finally, it imposes a −1d4 penalty on the creature’s next saving throw. If one of your allies has an ability that forces the creature to make a save, you can set the enemy up for failure with mind sliver. Even if nobody else is using anything that forces a save, every time you hit them with mind sliver it makes it harder for the enemy to resist the next time you cast mind sliver on it, which makes mind sliver a self-fulfilling prophecy.
If mind sliver’s damage die was any bigger than a d6, the spell would be broken.
Hit them with mind sliver, the next person hit them with bane. Come back around and mind sliver again and your buddy can hit them with a high level save or suck and the target is going to be -2d4 to that save. 2 rounds, or at least 4 spells in a row from the party to pull off.
If you can pull off bane first, then mind sliver, then high level save or suck like dominate monster or feeblemind can get the -2d4 in only 3 turns.
Hit them with mind sliver, the next person hit them with bane. Come back around and mind sliver again and your buddy can hit them with a high level save or suck and the target is going to be -2d4 to that save. 2 rounds, or at least 4 spells in a row from the party to pull off.
If you can pull off bane first, then mind sliver, then high level save or suck like dominate monster or feeblemind can get the -2d4 in only 3 turns.
But you are playing a warlock—which means Eldritch Blast and invocations. In a lot of ways, an invocation EB is superior to Mind Sliver - more damage (especially when you add Agonizing Blast), and additional effects like pulling or pushing should not be overrated. Plus, you get to actually roll your own dice for EB, so, if you like throwing your d20 about, never underestimate the increased fun of a range attack versus a save spell!
Since you have an extremely potent other option available, you have to ask yourself, is your party so full of save or suck spells that having the option to give -2.5 to a save throw worth it? Or would, more often than not, you prefer to have the out-of-combat tricks and be happy to use EB and it’s own rather strong shenanigans when in combat?
I’ve been wondering if I should pick this up for a warlock im running. It would fit the theme well but im not sure if the uses of this would be worth using more than mage hand or prestigitation. Is there any real reason I should take it or not take it?
Mind sliver is an awesome spell. INT save. Psychic damage. And a minus 1d4 to the target's next saving throw debuff. If mind sliver is available to me, I take it, no question.
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Ranged(but not attack roll based) Phychic Damage Debuffing Spell that targets one of the most commonly lowest stats (at least among players)
pretty nice
If you’re looking for something utilitarian to use outside of combat, you can’t do much better than either mage hand or prestidigitation.
If you’re looking for a solid combat spell that you can use to either self perpetuate or help buff a teammate, then it’s hard to do better than mind sliver.
If mind sliver’s damage die was any bigger than a d6, the spell would be broken.
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Hit them with mind sliver, the next person hit them with bane. Come back around and mind sliver again and your buddy can hit them with a high level save or suck and the target is going to be -2d4 to that save. 2 rounds, or at least 4 spells in a row from the party to pull off.
If you can pull off bane first, then mind sliver, then high level save or suck like dominate monster or feeblemind can get the -2d4 in only 3 turns.
How to: Replace DEX in your AC | Jump & Suffocation stats | Build a (Spell & class effect buff system | Wild Shape effect system) | Tool Proficiencies as Custom Skills | Spells at higher levels explained | Superior Fighting/Martial Adept Fix | Snippet Codes Explored - Subclasses | Snippet Math Theory | Homebrew Weapons Explained
Check out my: FEATS | MAGIC ITEMS | MONSTERS | SUBCLASSES Artificer Specialist: Weaveblade
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Bane and mind sliver is a great combo.
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Is it good? Yes.
But you are playing a warlock—which means Eldritch Blast and invocations. In a lot of ways, an invocation EB is superior to Mind Sliver - more damage (especially when you add Agonizing Blast), and additional effects like pulling or pushing should not be overrated. Plus, you get to actually roll your own dice for EB, so, if you like throwing your d20 about, never underestimate the increased fun of a range attack versus a save spell!
Since you have an extremely potent other option available, you have to ask yourself, is your party so full of save or suck spells that having the option to give -2.5 to a save throw worth it? Or would, more often than not, you prefer to have the out-of-combat tricks and be happy to use EB and it’s own rather strong shenanigans when in combat?
Fire bolt