Talk:Sasha's Skull Servant (3.5e Spell)

While I like the flavor and all of this spell line ( as well as it's use), isn't it a little too powerful for a fifth level spell? Unless an HD or CR limitation is added, mayhap? (Note: this is my first post) -HarrowedMind 21:25, 12 August 2012 (UTC)

I don't think it's all that bad in comparison to other actually wizard-level 5th-level spells (if you are confused by wizard-level then try reading this page). The ones like plane shift that let you end an enemy really fast. This one has the inherent limitations of being a Death effect, which many of the more potent save-or-die effects like the aforementioned plane shift do not. Admittedly it has range (plane shift and slay living are both touch) so I could see it being bumped to a 6 but not too much higher than that.

HD and CR limitations make spells obsolete (case-in-point being color spray), and I think a 5th level spell should be able to be used at just about any level of the game once it can be accessed. It's almost unfair to render a spell totally useless, especially when it has the normal constraints of a death effect tacked on. - TG Cid 20:51, 15 September 2011 (UTC)

Close range is a lot better than touch: If the target fails their save against a touch attack, they're not unlikely to full attack for all of your health or some similarly painful thing. slay living is a reasonable comparison, and this spell is almost strictly better. It is possible to make an HD or CR limitation that scales with caster level, but I think HD limits are not very elegant in general. --Foxwarrior 23:46, 15 September 2011 (UTC)

Yeah, I know what you both mean: HD limitation are often not representative of the creature's actual CR. And a real pain. I more specifically thought of a scaling CR limitation, much like Foxwarrior mentionned. As a point of comparison, I was also thinking about a spell that allows to kill and transform the target into a ghoul (although I think it is actually a damaging effect), which I think was WoTC material, as well as level 8 (and of course Finger of Death, level 7). As per Wizard-level, it does seem to hold up OK, I guess. (Balance Points are rarely mentionned in spells, which, I guess, are considered Wizard anyway for the eponymous class).

I never though of using Plane Shift as an offensive option...Wow..

As an additionnal compliment, Sasha's Skeletal Crew also seems extremely flavorful. It'll make any leader think twice about sending a first wave of lower ranking minions (namely devils). This spellcaster seems like he (she?) would make a pretty nice encounter, actually.

One last thing: as it is my first participation in any kind of wiki (I've been visiting it for a while, before the move, even), could my intervention be perceived as abusive in any way? -HarrowedMind 21:25, 12 August 2012 (UTC)

Abusive? For questioning spell strength and suggesting ways to improve it, and generally engaging in constructive criticism? Not even a little bit :-) - Tarkisflux ^Talk 06:43, 16 September 2011 (UTC)

It may be considered abusive if the person considering it abusive is of a certain "archetype".--Stryker 08:54, 16 September 2011 (UTC)

From my position, inquiry of this sort is not abusive at all. It's good to have feedback on homebrew; it's half the reason for this site to exist. So nah, not at all. - TG Cid 15:15, 16 September 2011 (UTC)

Three things: 1) Uh, does the swordwraith remain after the duration but is no longer controlled or does it collapse into a pile of bones? 2) Reminds me of an old Calvin & Hobbes for some reason (his skeleton leaps out of his body). 3) For the new guy, HarrowedMind, you should sign your posts with the fancy time-stamp generating signature thing (four tildes: ~~~~). That is all. --Ganteka Future 16:21, 16 September 2011 (UTC)

They're destroyed when the spell's duration is up, so the second of those two options you presented. - TG Cid 22:37, 12 August 2012 (UTC)