Hi. I'm getting into homebrew spell creation and wanted some advice. I am working on a spell that adds some extra kick to spellcasters who specialize in fire damage. Is this well balanced, and if not, how can I improve it?
I like the idea of the spell and can see where it's coming from.
It's quite similar in theme to Investiture of Flame but without the lashing out aspect. Similarly, Fire Shield also has some overlap in theme and then there's Elemental Bane to consider as that can add damage once per turn as well to a single target, rather than all creatures in a large radius.
Making it distinct enough from those shouldn't be too tricky, but there is that overlap to keep in mind.
With that said, here's my initial thoughts on it (apologies in advance if these come across harshly as that's not the intention. I know that making homebrew stuff is tricky, it's just that text can easily be read in different ways by different people):
I'd probably add some shedding of light to the spell as the others do. If you shed fire (as the name kind of suggests) then it's going to be bright. There may not be visible fire ongoing though so this could potentially be missed out. If there's no light then it probably needs fluff about a noticably hot aura, where creatures approaching you become aware of it.
No concentration could be an issue for an aura of that size. Whilst the duration is only a minute, with no way to break the concentration it could end up being a bit OP as you get reduced to 0 and that aura just keeps on going boosting your allies despite you being as active as a sack of potatoes. The no concentration thing isn't as bad on Fire Shield as you are only really affecting yourself (or creatures within 5ft if they melee attack you), but with a buff to everyone targetting specific creatures in that area, the stacking with this could be troublesome. Related: A no concentration aura like this is probably the type of thing that would work better as a subclass feature for a specialist caster, where you a trigger a 1/rest or X/long rest thing to enter "combat mode".
Start with all creatures being affected when the spell starts is fair given the nature of the spell, but then it just says "hostile creatures" later on. Fire targetting affecting specific things in the aura feels a bit odd to me (you're just creating a super warm area so why would it distinguish?), but if you're keeping that specificity in then I'd recommend lifting the wording from Spirit Guardians for friendly creature designation at the time of the casting.
Elemental Bane initially only affects a single creature with a chance to resist it, whilst Wreath of Flame affects multiple chosen creatures in a radius. Given the target scaling of Elemental Bane (1 per level, with a save to resist), that could push this spell to be somewere more in the region of level 6, 7, or even 8 (with a suitable bump in initial damage depending on that level).
Elemental Bane also only adds 2d6, rather than 2d10, and that doesn't scale with level.
Lastly, as much as I'd love more damaging Cleric spells, I don't feel that it really fits thematically for them most of the time (certain domains do, but others not so much), but they do get Firestorm later so an argument can be made there without too much difficulty. Sorcerer and Wizard I can easily see having the spell though. Potentially even a Druid or Ranger (spell level permitting), but a moving radius of fire boosting just doesn't scream "Divine Power" most of the time to me. It's one of those things that could be on a spell list though and only taken by people when they think they'll make use of it, like how Elemental Bane is there, but a Wizard specialising in illusions and psychic stuff wouldn't take it.
Hi. I'm getting into homebrew spell creation and wanted some advice. I am working on a spell that adds some extra kick to spellcasters who specialize in fire damage. Is this well balanced, and if not, how can I improve it?
https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/413852-wreath-of-flame
Hi,
I like the idea of the spell and can see where it's coming from.
It's quite similar in theme to Investiture of Flame but without the lashing out aspect. Similarly, Fire Shield also has some overlap in theme and then there's Elemental Bane to consider as that can add damage once per turn as well to a single target, rather than all creatures in a large radius.
Making it distinct enough from those shouldn't be too tricky, but there is that overlap to keep in mind.
With that said, here's my initial thoughts on it (apologies in advance if these come across harshly as that's not the intention. I know that making homebrew stuff is tricky, it's just that text can easily be read in different ways by different people):
Please take a look at my homebrewed Spells, Magic Items, and Subclasses. Any feedback appreciated.