So, I've created some spells that I'd like some feedback on cause 1) I'm a noob with DnD in general and 2) ... well, the noob thing pretty much covers it. :) Note: Let me know if the links don't work. >.>
Totally unique and unpredictable names, I know. It's a gift I have.
In all seriousness, the point behind these was to fill a gap that I noticed - no buff to saving throws. Again, are these too strong, need a change of spell slot?
Anyway, so my initial thought is to reduce Shield of the Archmage's range to 60ft for the concentration bit, cause 100 is a bit... much. BUT, it is a 5th level spell??? idk Other than that, I'm not sure. I need people who know something about the game to let me know what they think.
Feel free to share your thoughts, comments, haterade, etc. :)
I assume that Archmage's Armor is designed to be cast in addition to the Mage Armor spell, hence the wording that it adds +3 AC rather than providing an AC calculation?
I know it's using 2 spell slots to achieve this, but it's granting 16 AC (higher if you use a higher level spell slot) with no restriction on DEX. I personally think that's a bit too good, especially as it could be combined with other spells or cast on a monk/barbarian.
On the flip side, Ward of the Archmage seems a bit weak at +2 bonus for a 4th level spell.
Thanks for posting your homebrew creations! Hopefully we can give you some helpful feedback.
Archmage's Armor. First, I agree with Stormknight's notes. Even if you assume the person casting mage armor has no DEX bonus, you would still have at least an AC 16, which is pretty strong. Also, it doesn't seem like there's a limit to how many times you can cast archmage's armor, so a spellcaster could stack the effect and burn spell slots to become unhittable (at least from melee attacks). One way you could fix this is by making the spell concentration, so it would prevent stacking and limit the caster's ability to do other powerful spells at the same time. Another option is to remove the AC stacking at higher levels and instead give the caster adv. on saving throws against magical attacks. Either way, I would probably make it at least a 3rd level spell, maybe a 4th.
Shield of the Archmage. I like the idea of conferring shield onto another player, and the fact that it's a concentration spell limits what the caster can do as far as other spells go. However, I would probably drop the AC boost at higher levels, for the same reason the AC boost on archmage's armor might be too much at higher levels. If you do drop it, you can probably drop this spell down to a 4th level instead of a 5th. (Also, the drop to 60 ft is probably a good idea)
Mage Ward. So, mage ward is in the same tricky space with saving throws that the first two have with AC. It's a good boost for struggling characters, but if you figure that a PC has a good ability bonus, proficiency on a saving throw, and an average roll of about 10 on the d20, adding another +2 on top of that could make them almost impossible to hit. If you cast the spell at a higher level, the saving throws will probably pass 90% of the time (definitely against anything less that a dragon). Instead, you could have advantage on a saving throw against magic (Like you have in archmage's protection). The rest (instantaneous, one round limit, range of self, etc.) all seems good!
Ward of the Archmage. Same notes as above. Just consider using advantage instead of adding a number. Everything else looks good to me, although I might consider adding some price to using the spell (gem worth 50gp that gets consumed b the spell or something like that).
Archmage's Protection. I would just drop this one and use it's abilities on the wards.
Hopefully these notes are useful for you. Keep on creating!
Actually, let me amend a couple things in a second post, now that I'm looking more carefully at the abjuration spells in the PHB. There is a 5th level spell called Circle of Power, which gives advantage on spell saves and evasion for players that succeed on the save. I think you could still use mage ward as a quick, one use advantage for yourself, but I don't think you would need ward of the archmage or archmage's protection.
Other than that, I still like the idea behind the spells.
You dont have to worry about Archmage's Armor being stacked infinitly, as the rules already prevent benefiting from the same magic effect more than once at a time. That said a wizard being able to to give +6 to anan unarmored creature for 8 hours amd no concentration is too strong. A level 3 character should not be able to have 23-25 AC without a higher cost.
Shield of the Archmage I feel like takes a lot from Shield of Faith, though it is a much higher level. And it stacks with the other 2 spells, so now an AC of 21 +dex +shield is possible. Plus Shield of Faith can still stack on to this, making 30 AC attainable with no magic items.
I suggest combining mage armor and shield into a 3rd level spell touch, action, with 10 minute concentration, for +3 AC (regardless of armor) and immunity to magic missile.
Mage ward and Achmage ward are basically a worse bless spell. I recommend just dropping this line of spells, since it is stealling the job of clerics and paladins.
Archmage's protection is definitely over leveled I recommend making it a level 2 spell, that as a reaction gives up to 6 creatures advantage on saves until beginning of your turn.
Let me tell you why this is broken. This cast at 9th level and taking 1 level of either Barbarian or Monk with a +5 Dex and either +5 Con or +5 Wis, combined with Mage Armor will net you an AC of 30. If you take the Bladesinging archetype you can get an AC of 35. That's an AC of 40 with Shield spell. Now throw in Staff of Power, Bracers of Defense, Ring of Protection and Cloak of Protection and you get an achievable AC of 46. This is a bit much.
Lizardfolk Wizard, let's say you used point buy stats and put Dex at 15. At Level 3 you would get an AC of 21. This is typically equal to or better than most standard level 3 fighter builds.
Remember you also have Shield for +5 AC as needed and at 18th level you could use this infinitely.
I'd recommend making it Level 3, have it be an AC calculation of 11 + Dex unless Mage Armor is in effect in which case the spell adds +1. For the At Higher Levels state the AC calculation or bonus to AC increases by 1 every 2 levels: 12+Dex / +2 bonus at 5th level, 13+Dex / +3 bonus at 7th level and 14+Dex / +4 bonus at 9th level.
It's still a considerable increase (given that a Wizard can already get an AC of 30+ without it) but a little less broken.
Personally, given the many defensive spells a Wizard has plus magic items that can improve AC and such I see no need for any improvements to Mage Armour - it's a perfectly balanced spell. Even my suggested rewrite would not be approved in my games.
Shield of the Archmage
By all that is fluffy, seriously? 1 minute, stacks with everything, +9 AC? Absolute nope. Shield is perfect, leave it be.
Mage Ward
This seems like a very balanced spell. Kudos.
Ward of the Archmage
Being capable of achieving +7 to all saving throws for a minute is a lot when you factor the +4 you can get from Cloak and Ring of Protection and a Staff of Power or having a high level Paladin (potentially another +5) in the group plus other spells that can boost saving throws or grant advantage and all this without yet adding proficiency... Not needed. Just stick with Mage Ward.
Archmage's Protection
**** no. = my reaction as a DM.
Seriously, 10 days with advantage to all Saving Throws and no concentration? Hells to the no. Broken AF. 1 min, concentration, upcasting is additional creatures (1 per level). That'd be OK, maybe.
Interesting ideas to these spells but you have to remember the character may have other party members like Clerics and Paladins who have protection magics, multiclassing, magic items, what other spells are available, what can already be achieved, plus the effects of stacking bonuses.
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So, I've created some spells that I'd like some feedback on cause 1) I'm a noob with DnD in general and 2) ... well, the noob thing pretty much covers it. :)
Note: Let me know if the links don't work. >.>
Archmage's Armor
Shield of the Archmage
Essentially, with these, I wanted to buff... you guessed it, Mage Armor and Shield.
Are they too strong? Should be be of a higher spell slot?
Then we have:
Mage Ward
Ward of the Archmage
Totally unique and unpredictable names, I know. It's a gift I have.
In all seriousness, the point behind these was to fill a gap that I noticed - no buff to saving throws. Again, are these too strong, need a change of spell slot?
Finally, I made:
Archmage's Protection
... yeah... just... idk
Anyway, so my initial thought is to reduce Shield of the Archmage's range to 60ft for the concentration bit, cause 100 is a bit... much. BUT, it is a 5th level spell??? idk
Other than that, I'm not sure. I need people who know something about the game to let me know what they think.
Feel free to share your thoughts, comments, haterade, etc. :)
I assume that Archmage's Armor is designed to be cast in addition to the Mage Armor spell, hence the wording that it adds +3 AC rather than providing an AC calculation?
I know it's using 2 spell slots to achieve this, but it's granting 16 AC (higher if you use a higher level spell slot) with no restriction on DEX. I personally think that's a bit too good, especially as it could be combined with other spells or cast on a monk/barbarian.
On the flip side, Ward of the Archmage seems a bit weak at +2 bonus for a 4th level spell.
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Hey Akacen!
Thanks for posting your homebrew creations! Hopefully we can give you some helpful feedback.
Archmage's Armor. First, I agree with Stormknight's notes. Even if you assume the person casting mage armor has no DEX bonus, you would still have at least an AC 16, which is pretty strong. Also, it doesn't seem like there's a limit to how many times you can cast archmage's armor, so a spellcaster could stack the effect and burn spell slots to become unhittable (at least from melee attacks). One way you could fix this is by making the spell concentration, so it would prevent stacking and limit the caster's ability to do other powerful spells at the same time. Another option is to remove the AC stacking at higher levels and instead give the caster adv. on saving throws against magical attacks. Either way, I would probably make it at least a 3rd level spell, maybe a 4th.
Shield of the Archmage. I like the idea of conferring shield onto another player, and the fact that it's a concentration spell limits what the caster can do as far as other spells go. However, I would probably drop the AC boost at higher levels, for the same reason the AC boost on archmage's armor might be too much at higher levels. If you do drop it, you can probably drop this spell down to a 4th level instead of a 5th. (Also, the drop to 60 ft is probably a good idea)
Mage Ward. So, mage ward is in the same tricky space with saving throws that the first two have with AC. It's a good boost for struggling characters, but if you figure that a PC has a good ability bonus, proficiency on a saving throw, and an average roll of about 10 on the d20, adding another +2 on top of that could make them almost impossible to hit. If you cast the spell at a higher level, the saving throws will probably pass 90% of the time (definitely against anything less that a dragon). Instead, you could have advantage on a saving throw against magic (Like you have in archmage's protection). The rest (instantaneous, one round limit, range of self, etc.) all seems good!
Ward of the Archmage. Same notes as above. Just consider using advantage instead of adding a number. Everything else looks good to me, although I might consider adding some price to using the spell (gem worth 50gp that gets consumed b the spell or something like that).
Archmage's Protection. I would just drop this one and use it's abilities on the wards.
Hopefully these notes are useful for you. Keep on creating!
Actually, let me amend a couple things in a second post, now that I'm looking more carefully at the abjuration spells in the PHB. There is a 5th level spell called Circle of Power, which gives advantage on spell saves and evasion for players that succeed on the save. I think you could still use mage ward as a quick, one use advantage for yourself, but I don't think you would need ward of the archmage or archmage's protection.
Other than that, I still like the idea behind the spells.
You dont have to worry about Archmage's Armor being stacked infinitly, as the rules already prevent benefiting from the same magic effect more than once at a time. That said a wizard being able to to give +6 to anan unarmored creature for 8 hours amd no concentration is too strong. A level 3 character should not be able to have 23-25 AC without a higher cost.
Shield of the Archmage I feel like takes a lot from Shield of Faith, though it is a much higher level. And it stacks with the other 2 spells, so now an AC of 21 +dex +shield is possible. Plus Shield of Faith can still stack on to this, making 30 AC attainable with no magic items.
I suggest combining mage armor and shield into a 3rd level spell touch, action, with 10 minute concentration, for +3 AC (regardless of armor) and immunity to magic missile.
Mage ward and Achmage ward are basically a worse bless spell. I recommend just dropping this line of spells, since it is stealling the job of clerics and paladins.
Archmage's protection is definitely over leveled I recommend making it a level 2 spell, that as a reaction gives up to 6 creatures advantage on saves until beginning of your turn.
Archmage's Armor
Let me tell you why this is broken. This cast at 9th level and taking 1 level of either Barbarian or Monk with a +5 Dex and either +5 Con or +5 Wis, combined with Mage Armor will net you an AC of 30. If you take the Bladesinging archetype you can get an AC of 35. That's an AC of 40 with Shield spell. Now throw in Staff of Power, Bracers of Defense, Ring of Protection and Cloak of Protection and you get an achievable AC of 46. This is a bit much.
Lizardfolk Wizard, let's say you used point buy stats and put Dex at 15. At Level 3 you would get an AC of 21. This is typically equal to or better than most standard level 3 fighter builds.
Remember you also have Shield for +5 AC as needed and at 18th level you could use this infinitely.
I'd recommend making it Level 3, have it be an AC calculation of 11 + Dex unless Mage Armor is in effect in which case the spell adds +1. For the At Higher Levels state the AC calculation or bonus to AC increases by 1 every 2 levels: 12+Dex / +2 bonus at 5th level, 13+Dex / +3 bonus at 7th level and 14+Dex / +4 bonus at 9th level.
It's still a considerable increase (given that a Wizard can already get an AC of 30+ without it) but a little less broken.
Personally, given the many defensive spells a Wizard has plus magic items that can improve AC and such I see no need for any improvements to Mage Armour - it's a perfectly balanced spell. Even my suggested rewrite would not be approved in my games.
Shield of the Archmage
By all that is fluffy, seriously? 1 minute, stacks with everything, +9 AC? Absolute nope. Shield is perfect, leave it be.
Mage Ward
This seems like a very balanced spell. Kudos.
Ward of the Archmage
Being capable of achieving +7 to all saving throws for a minute is a lot when you factor the +4 you can get from Cloak and Ring of Protection and a Staff of Power or having a high level Paladin (potentially another +5) in the group plus other spells that can boost saving throws or grant advantage and all this without yet adding proficiency... Not needed. Just stick with Mage Ward.
Archmage's Protection
**** no. = my reaction as a DM.
Seriously, 10 days with advantage to all Saving Throws and no concentration? Hells to the no. Broken AF. 1 min, concentration, upcasting is additional creatures (1 per level). That'd be OK, maybe.
Interesting ideas to these spells but you have to remember the character may have other party members like Clerics and Paladins who have protection magics, multiclassing, magic items, what other spells are available, what can already be achieved, plus the effects of stacking bonuses.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.