Dan, if you have a moment, may I pick your brain on something? It’s slightly complex, on a D&D design scale, so I’d like your input if you’re willing. Fire away.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) August 18, 2019
In the Mystic class, from 2017, there’s the Wu Jen discipline called Mastery of Light & Darkness. As you’re aware, the Mystic basically used the spell point variant in the DMG.
So in that discipline, there’s (essentially) a third level spell, called Radiant Beam, here: pic.twitter.com/ghijR9wWNS
— John Appleton (@jaa0109) August 18, 2019
One: For a third level spell, would you say that’s fairly balanced? Almost seems like a single target Sunbeam to me, sans the ‘sun’ part
Two: Assuming part One is OK and it’s balanced, If I wanted to convert it to a spell, what classes would you allow access to? Sorcerer?
— John Appleton (@jaa0109) August 18, 2019
When designing new spells the DMG is your friend. Pg 284 has the Spell Damage table that gives you target values by spell level. I think this fits for 3rd level considering it blinds the target as well, which has huge effects.
As for who gets it, that depends. 1/2#WotCStaff https://t.co/Ga28uGQoxG
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) August 18, 2019
What’s the idea/story behind the spell? Does it resonate with any particular flavor of magical practitioner? Why is it channeling blinding radiant energy?
Off the top of my head it feels like Druid, sorcerer, wizard, and maybe some specific cleric Domains or warlock Patrons. 2/2
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) August 18, 2019
Where I struggle with DMG Guidelines is the additional conditions a spell can inflict. The ‘power’ equivalent of Dazed, Stunned, Blinded, etc.
Great for damage guidelines but for the effects, I’m somewhat at a loss. That can be really tricky. To unpack a bit, the damage of the beam hits the benchmark for a multi-target 3rd level spell instead of a single.
I think that scans because blinded shits down targeting, offers adv, applies disadv. Depending on the condition, that can be huge.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) August 18, 2019
This was just a quick and dirty, but you can look at things like Hold Person as a placeholder for the paralyzed condition.
Paralyzing a single target alone is the equivalent of a 2nd level spell. Adding damage will bump that, and probs not at a 3rd level mark.
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) August 18, 2019
Thank you for your time!
So, to confirm: Should be alright for a 3rd level spell? I think so! Concentration to maintain single target blind with multi target damage benchmark looks solid.
Test it, see if anything breaks!
— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) August 18, 2019
