Spell suggestions/aslterations for V3

[Polak76]

I've decided to create this after reading Eightbits thread + the thread in General discussion:
http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=32031&posts=9&start=1

It seems spells are the flavor of the month so lets expand on it.

As Dorganorth suggested, if we're serious about making new spells or alterations they really need to be posted here.

Personally I like this list of spells already.  I would only like to make some slight changes to them.  Most of all I'd like to see spells that are mostly useless altered to become useful rather than adding new ones.

The first one I'll start with is Animate Dead (Cleric3/Wiz5)
Is there a possibility to modify this so that Wizards can pick it up at caster level 3 was well?

My reasoning is that the summons change depending on the level of the caster (tyrant Fog Zombie, Skeletal warrior/ Skeletal chieftan.)  If mages pick it up at caster level 5 they will obviously not have the opportunity to summon the lesser undead and simply jump straight to the skeletons.

This is just my thoughts and I'm interested in peoples feedback.

Cheers,
Polak76

[darkstorme]

A fun item (whose effects could be duplicated with an illusion spell, which is why I make the suggestion here) would be a Disguise Kit, a collection of pigments, makeup, and padding that can be used to make a person look like someone else.  This is done in RP at the moment, but it should be possible, using the SetName() function, to allow a character to change their floaty text, temporarily, as a result.  (Other details could be worked out, I'm sure.)  The reason such a thing would be good for RP is it allows a quantifiable method of disguise, which could then be used by evil characters, undercover characters, or characters who would be reviled for their appearance - Drow, anyone?

Unfortunately, unless the setAppearance stats are set randomly, to some subset of the appearances that are nondescript (which could be trouble on reset), I'm not sure how the mechanics on this would work.  But it would be nice not to have to act if someone is "disguised".  (I'm not objecting to floaty text on the whole, but it can be a bit of a mood-breaker.. I've been guilty of calling someone by their given name when they're using a pseudonym.)

[Dorganath]

SetName() does not function on PC's...only NPC creatures.
  Appearance changes can get funky when the original character appearance is a dwarf, which often requires a direct edit of the character file itself.

[darkstorme]

SetName doesn't work on PCs?  Drat.  There goes that idea for my module.  Thanks for the clarification, as always.

[Pen N Popper]

I'm not sure if this is applicable, but perhaps the disguise kit would allow you to create a familiar that could be possessed.  You couldn't gain any XP or have an inventory, but the RP factor would be there.  These familiars would be completely skilless, so they couldn't be used for picking locks or other meta-gaming.

[minerva]

Spell changes for V3

- Polymorph self that is Arcane Devotion sensitive and have a set of polymorph shapes for each diety.  Nature followers as nature shapes etc.

[Polak76]

Hey, I like that idea minerva.
I wonder if it's possible to program?

I'd love to pick from an array of undead types (Corath Deity).  Skeleton/Wight/Zombie (already there)/Bone Golem..etc.

Cheers,
Polak76

[SquareKnot]

With the changes in the V3 alignment demographics, how about the Detect Good/Evil/Chaos/Law family of spells? And Undetectable Alignment to balance things.

And maybe a refinement to Divine Relation to make it work as an area of effect, perhaps giving more information (like the actual deity) depending on the caster level or something? Or maybe just change the 2da entry so the range is longer and the vfx more subtle. It's one of my favorites but I don't use it as much as I'd like because it tends to make characters and players mad as it is.

Comprehend Languages also seems possible (but difficult due to the way languages are handled), but I think it was nixed in the past.

There are so few divination/information spells possible with the NWN engine it'd be nice to support the things that are possible.

[EdTheKet]

I think it would be easier if every suggested Spell Change is made in a new thread. That'll make it easier for us to look at and will prevent discussions mixing up.