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Created by
Jasperre, last updated on Nov 24, 2022
3 minute read
3 spells in this range:
- Shadow Conjuration - level 4
- Greater Shadow Conjuration - level 5
- Shades - level 6
These provide access to 4 normal spells and a unique "Summon Shadow" spell.
One advantage of this spell is having five spells combined into one. For sorcerers, this effectively increases the number of spells known. For wizards, this provides the ability to select which spell to cast at the time of casting.
The main issue is they were not as flexible as the spells they were based off (which could mimic loads more spells), but they did have the benefit of having the full effects of the real spells.
Some ideas on what to do. We can at least expand them by 3 with more subdial options. The spells are considered pretty weak, and I'd agree, with the levels of the spells allowed quite a lot lower then the spell slot - I mean who would want to cast a random Magic Missile in a 4th level spell slot? Bioware may have done this to avoid the "20% power" stuff however, but then again you get access to Cone of Cold for Shades, one a level lower and thus could be considerably more useful (and gains a save DC bonus).
Existing Defaults
Keeping the originals would keep both some backwards compatibility, some sensible things for AI's to use, and doesn't mess with things too much.
The defaults are:
| Spell | Spell Level | Subspells | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Conjuration | 4 | Darkness (Evocation, 2) Invisibility (Illusion, 2) Mage Armor (Conjuration, 1) Magic Missile (Evocation, 1) Summon Shadow | SRD: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Shadow_Conjuration Essentially 20% power of spells level 3 or lower. |
| Greater Shadow Conjuration | 5 | Melf's Acid Arrow (Conjuration, 2) Ghostly Visage (Illusion, 2) Web (Conjuration, 2) Minor Globe of Invulnerability (Abjuration, 4) Summon Shadow | SRD: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Shadow_Conjuration,_Greater Essentially 40% power of spells level 4 or lower. |
| Shades | 6 | Cone of Cold (Evocation, 5) Fireball (Evocation, 3) Stoneskin (Abjuration, 4) Wall of Fire (Evocation, 4) Summon Shadow | SRD: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Shades Essentially 60% power of spells level 5 or lower. |
Fixes
| Name | Changes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Shadow Conjuration - Summon Shadow Greater Shadow Conjuration - Summon Shadow Shades - Summon Shadow | AI Category changed to Summoning Hostile setting set to "No" | The wrong AI and hostility rating implies it was a different spell in the 5th slot at one point (and this one was originally going to be a level 5 Cleric spell, weird!) |
3 New Subradial Options
Options here:
- Add 3 more set spells per version
- Allow a choice of any spells the player sets up
Since we can't link to existing Spell ID lines we need to add new ones.
Any spell would be best done if we can fake the spell ID (insert complicated system using TagEffect here...!), or only allow instant spells - eg Fireball or the like that do damage not persistent effects (There's no saved effects to interact with then).
Some ideas if we were to pre-set them. A focus would be on areas missing from the other 4 in that spell already. No summons since we have Summon Shadow.
| Spell | Spell Level | Maximum spell level | Additional Subspell Ideas | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Conjuration | 4 | 3 | Negative Energy Burst (Necromancy, 3) Blindness/Deafness (Enchantment, 2) Flame weapon (Evocation, 2) | Existing: No AOE spells, all existing ones are levels 1 and 2 |
| Greater Shadow Conjuration | 5 | 4 | Enervation (Necromancy, 4) Confusion (Enchantment, 4) Isaac's lesser missile storm (Evocation, 4) | Existing: Good variety of spells already (defensive, offensive) levels 2 or 4 |
| Shades | 6 | 5 | Hold Monster (Enchantment, 5) Lesser Spell Mantle (Abjuration, 5) Bigby's interposing hand (Evocation, 5) | Existing: Quite a lot of fire! AOE explosions, persistent spells and Stoneskin is good. Levels 3, 4, 5. |