A blast of gravitational energy rushes out towards a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit the target takes 1d8 force damage, if the target is a medium or smaller creature, you can push the creature up to 5 feet away from you in a straight line.
This spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
My hope was to make it fill a niche and make it balanced and really usable but not too good. thats why with a d8 damage die and a 5 foot push on hit it only has a range of 30 feet. I want it to be fun ands usable but still not so good that its the only damage cantrip someone would take.
When I originally came up with the idea it was a d6, but it also had a range of 60 foot and the push was 10 foot. Playtested with my playtest group and it definitely didn’t seem too powerful, if anything the damage was underwhelming and the push and range was too much. That’s why I reworked it and I’m looking for opinions before I take it back and playtest it again.
I would clean up your wording a bit though, you keep using “target” and “creature” interchangeably, technically spells that affect targets are different than ones that affect creatures, so decide which one you mean and be consistent and you should be fine. Lemme know when it’s up and if you did it right I’d love to add it to my own collection.
Don’t worry about me, I just misread what you wrote. If you playtested it and feel that 1d8 and 5 ft. push is better then go with your gut. That’s part of game design.
It's up to you of course, but just to throw my two cents in:
If the unease is whether or not it should be a D6 or a D8, them maybe make the push a little more effective at the lower die? If you decide on a D6, give it the auto-push whereas if it's a D8, have a saving throw and a failure results in a push?
I think keeping it at a d8 makes sense but adding a save for the additional effect makes sense. Or if you move it to a d6, then have it add the proficiency mod or something else relevant.
I think the range is too short. How about a 60 foot range but it only pushes the creature at 30 foot or less. I think otherwise the 30 foot limit will discourage people from taking it.
It's up to you of course, but just to throw my two cents in:
If the unease is whether or not it should be a D6 or a D8, them maybe make the push a little more effective at the lower die? If you decide on a D6, give it the auto-push whereas if it's a D8, have a saving throw and a failure results in a push?
I would caution against this approach. When you create a spell, especially a cantrip, you want it to have an attack roll or saving throw, but generally not both. Too many rolls slows down an encounter.
I do agree I don't like the idea of a cantrip having an attack and a save but the push feels like it needs a save so id rather bite the bullet and go full save the the whole thing. What about if I just made it a STR or DEX save for the whole spell, made the range 60 foot and the damage a d10 force retaining the 5 foot push? Would that be balanced?
I do agree I don't like the idea of a cantrip having an attack and a save but the push feels like it needs a save so id rather bite the bullet and go full save the the whole thing. What about if I just made it a STR or DEX save for the whole spell, made the range 60 foot and the damage a d10 force retaining the 5 foot push? Would that be balanced?
In that case gust is your point of reference. Gust is a pathetically weak cantrip that deals no damage. However, a d10, 60 ft range, AND 5ft. push are probably a bit much. If you cut the range in half, then make the damage a d6 or d8, that might work. Moving from a ranged attack to a Dex or Str save is a lateral move balance-wise.
I do agree I don't like the idea of a cantrip having an attack and a save but the push feels like it needs a save so id rather bite the bullet and go full save the the whole thing. What about if I just made it a STR or DEX save for the whole spell, made the range 60 foot and the damage a d10 force retaining the 5 foot push? Would that be balanced?
In that case gust is your point of reference. Gust is a pathetically weak cantrip that deals no damage. However, a d10, 60 ft range, AND 5ft. push are probably a bit much. If you cut the range in half, then make the damage a d6 or d8, that might work. Moving from a ranged attack to a Dex or Str save is a lateral move balance-wise.
Yeah, apparently others would agree since the homebrew section has similar spells, just not “gravaturgical” since they were published before that book came out. So 1d6 or 1d8 and a 5-foot push should fit the balance. And since it’ll be a Gravaturgy spell, only two Wiz Subclasses will have access to it (unless you houseruled otherwise) I think the 1d8 would be fine.
(I wrote one non-grav spell like that too, but I made it a Str Save, so a little more powerful than Dex since fewer classes care about Str. I know this game isn’t pvp, but I make “Named NPCs” using the PC generator so it follows the same logic. To rebalance it I went with 1d4 and a 10-foot push.)
Gravitic Blast: 30 foot range
A blast of gravitational energy rushes out towards a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit the target takes 1d8 force damage, if the target is a medium or smaller creature, you can push the creature up to 5 feet away from you in a straight line.
This spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
Is it balanced?
Looks it. It's like eldritch blast which is fine
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
Fills a niche. There are pully cantrips but no pushy ones.
My hope was to make it fill a niche and make it balanced and really usable but not too good. thats why with a d8 damage die and a 5 foot push on hit it only has a range of 30 feet. I want it to be fun ands usable but still not so good that its the only damage cantrip someone would take.
Looks fine. I have a couple homebrews kindof similar myself. 1d8 might be a bit high, maybe a d6 instead. But it’s not completely out of whack.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
When I originally came up with the idea it was a d6, but it also had a range of 60 foot and the push was 10 foot. Playtested with my playtest group and it definitely didn’t seem too powerful, if anything the damage was underwhelming and the push and range was too much. That’s why I reworked it and I’m looking for opinions before I take it back and playtest it again.
I would clean up your wording a bit though, you keep using “target” and “creature” interchangeably, technically spells that affect targets are different than ones that affect creatures, so decide which one you mean and be consistent and you should be fine. Lemme know when it’s up and if you did it right I’d love to add it to my own collection.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I just double-checked the wording and the syntax the same as other attack cantrips and spells.
You got me now thinking should I increase the range and drop the damage die, leave the range and drop the damage die or leave it alone. lol
Don’t worry about me, I just misread what you wrote. If you playtested it and feel that 1d8 and 5 ft. push is better then go with your gut. That’s part of game design.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
It's up to you of course, but just to throw my two cents in:
If the unease is whether or not it should be a D6 or a D8, them maybe make the push a little more effective at the lower die? If you decide on a D6, give it the auto-push whereas if it's a D8, have a saving throw and a failure results in a push?
Of course I want your two cents, I want peoples opinions and thoughts based on their experience with the game and other home-brews.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/329439-gravitic-blast
I went with the d6 damage die, raised it to a 60 foot range and left the auto-push at 5 feet.
im going to post another dunamancy cantrip too, its just a rework of an existing cantrip but worded and flavored for dunamancy.
I think keeping it at a d8 makes sense but adding a save for the additional effect makes sense. Or if you move it to a d6, then have it add the proficiency mod or something else relevant.
Homebrewed by PhantomTim: Weapons | Items
I think the range is too short. How about a 60 foot range but it only pushes the creature at 30 foot or less. I think otherwise the 30 foot limit will discourage people from taking it.
#Opendnd
I would caution against this approach. When you create a spell, especially a cantrip, you want it to have an attack roll or saving throw, but generally not both. Too many rolls slows down an encounter.
I do agree I don't like the idea of a cantrip having an attack and a save but the push feels like it needs a save so id rather bite the bullet and go full save the the whole thing. What about if I just made it a STR or DEX save for the whole spell, made the range 60 foot and the damage a d10 force retaining the 5 foot push? Would that be balanced?
That's more or less along the line of what Thunderwave does, just not as strong.
Except thunderwave is an AOE spell, The spell Im trying to flesh out is a single target spell.
In that case gust is your point of reference. Gust is a pathetically weak cantrip that deals no damage. However, a d10, 60 ft range, AND 5ft. push are probably a bit much. If you cut the range in half, then make the damage a d6 or d8, that might work. Moving from a ranged attack to a Dex or Str save is a lateral move balance-wise.
Yeah, apparently others would agree since the homebrew section has similar spells, just not “gravaturgical” since they were published before that book came out. So 1d6 or 1d8 and a 5-foot push should fit the balance. And since it’ll be a Gravaturgy spell, only two Wiz Subclasses will have access to it (unless you houseruled otherwise) I think the 1d8 would be fine.
(I wrote one non-grav spell like that too, but I made it a Str Save, so a little more powerful than Dex since fewer classes care about Str. I know this game isn’t pvp, but I make “Named NPCs” using the PC generator so it follows the same logic. To rebalance it I went with 1d4 and a 10-foot push.)
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting