r/shadowdark

Has anyone played with upcasting spells?

Magic missile - cast at tier 3, gives 2d4 darts, DC 13 spell check, use the tier 3-4 mishap table. Tier 5, 3d4 darts, DC 15, uses Tier 5 mishap table.

Compared to lightning bolt tier 3 -3d6 in a line or fireball 4d6 in near.

Tier 5 prismatic orb - 3d8.

Spells like sleep/hold person I'd say upcasting increases the level effected in a similar way (balanced against other spells at that tier that do similar things).

I originally made this for my own solodark game that I play through obsidian MD.

I wanted to distribute a professional pack, it should work on any VTTs, I hope you like it.

Let me know if you would like to see something specific.

Hey, I was hoping I could get some input.
A character tonight (big half orc) wanted to tie a large rock to 20 feet of rope with 3 grappling hooks on the other end and spin in a flailing circle to damage terrorize and overturn a band of haflings (howlers in bittermold keep)

I gave the player a DC 18 str check to be a spinning ball of short range doom. One lack token later to my surprise they achieve the DC as they were moving in the direction of three howlers I let them make a 1d6 plus strength mod damage to each of the three, and told the player this is your hero moment tell us how it goes

Was that too Loose of an interpretation of damage from the action?

As written, Weapon Mastery applies to a single weapon at character creation, with the chance of applying it to additional weapons as the character levels up. I feel that there's a case to be made that it makes sense for it to be changed to apply to ALL weapons from the start.

The specialisation encourages the player to seek to use the favoured weapons in as many situations as possible, even when it makes sense to try a different tactic. It becomes a case of viewing every problem as a nail. The fighter crawling in the narrow tunnel will probably favour his long sword over a small thrusting weapon, even if he's penalised for so doing. None of the other core classes has this issue. A priest or wizard can simply cast the spell most suitable to the circumstances. The thief likewise can apply the relevant skill to a problem.

You may regard this as a feature rather than a problem, but I don't see the upside to it. You can argue that it's the players choice whether they want to suffer the penalty of using their favoured weapon in sub-optimal circumstances, or suffer the penalty of using a more appropriate weapon without the benefit of Mastery. But is seems that the fighter is being penalised more than, say, the wizard, who puts down his staff and draws his dagger before crawling into the tunnel.

It does result in the fighter being front-loaded, in that all that happens as they level up is that their numbers go up. But this is already the case for the thief.

I think in the end that Weapon Mastery in a single weapon serves to disincentivise the player from trying other options - not just using other weapons but also attempting other kinds of actions in combat. Fighter's often fall into a routine in combat of attacking with their favoured weapon over and over again. I would prefer - if they're going to simply attack again and again with one weapon - that they chose that option from a range of equally good options, rather than that they chose that option because they would be penalised if they didn't.

BTW, this is written from a GM's perspective.

Any idea why the lightningbolt deals 3d6 but not 4d6 damage like the fireball even though they are of the same tier and fireball in most cases has a more exploitable area of effect?

Tier 1 spells that I like to choose when playing a Wizard.

Floating Disk

• 20 gear slots! 20! This is the real money maker when some of the treasure is hard to get or too heavy. It is kind of situational, though, since it lasts 10 rounds. But Kelsey herself has explained rounds do not last a specific amount of time (Read her detailed explanation Here). So, if a dungeon has no more obstacles or threats, perhaps those 10 rounds are enough time for the heroes to use this spell and help them move heavy treasure.
• So, the Disk can hold up to 6 sets of Plate mail armor and still have 2 slots left. Is if fair to say the disk can lift one of the PCs? Even with the limitation that it floats within near the caster, and that it does not cross over drop offs or deep pits. This could become incredibly useful in certain situations.
• Plus, imagine all the flavorful things a Wizard can do. Help a farmer move heavy loads, assist a group of miners or stonemasons, clear the road of debris, etc.

What other cool things would you do with this spell?

Hold Portal

• This one is self-explanatory and kind of situational. I believe it is common for Wizard players to choose Burning Hands or Magic Missile over these 'support' spells.
• However, the ability to magically hold a passageway, a door, or any kind of threshold is extremely useful. This spell can allow the party to retreat to a safer spot, or even save their lives depending on the situation.
• It also helps with combat strategy. If you're fighting a group of enemies within two dungeon chambers divided by a single door, this spell can create a division. With good communication and planning, of course. Even if some of the enemies succeed in their STR check to open the portal, this will likely divide their numbers.
• Question. The spell lasts 10 rounds and it does not clarify if a single creature succeeding the STR check 'breaks' the magical blockade. As I see it, as long as the spell's duration is still ongoing, even if an enemy succeeds and goes through it, the magical barrier still works for any other creature who wishes to pass. How do you rule this one?

Do you like to choose these spells when playing a Wizard?