John Crichton
First Post
Just got it in the mail and I am bored...
The changes to Harm are explained by giving a Will Save to fill that particular niche. Since there are other spells (slay living being the given example) that attack high Will & Relex-save creatures this one balances things nicely. Further reasoning for the change are the have scaling damage and to take away the "all-or-nothing" aspect of the spell.
on/off" effects and the designers received much feedback of the same feeling. Their reasoning for allowing a save every round was to avoid eliminating a player from that combat (which typically happens on a failed save) and keeping them around by at the very least allowing them to roll a die every round. It also allows for other party members to assist the character in breaking the spell. So for the level of the spell, it is still effective as it will take a combatant out of the fight for a few rounds even if the save is eventually made.
Haste
They have admitted that Haste was too powerful for its level therefore needed change. It eliminated the need for the Quicken metamagic feat and became a must-have spell. It was also the best defensive spell in the game. The changes are already known but I'll restate them here:
Haste increases movement by 30 ft, gives a +1 to attacks and a +1 AC dodge bonus. It also gives and additional attack with the full attack action.
The article states that the designers know this will have a huge impact on the game as you will no longer see spellcasters and mosters firing off 2 spells every round.
Polymorph
Many problems with this spell made it a perfect target for change. Not only did it have multiple printings and clarifications but it was one of the first spells banned from organized play (something I didn't know). The new poloymorph which works on willing targets always a transformation into a living creature (including aberration, animal, dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, magical beast, monsterous humanoid, ooze, plant or vermin). There are HD caps (caster level up to 15). You get the physical characteristics of the creature but not extraordinary, supernatural or spell-like abilities with the exception of extraordinary attack forms. The example given is the polymorphed fighter that is now a troll: he gains the strength and rend characteristics but not regeneration. The spell lasts one minute per level.
Baneful Polymorph
We already know much about this one. Used basically as an attack. If the chosen form would be fatal (fish in a desert) a +4 bonus is given to the save. This effect is permanent.
They explain the splitting of the different effects as for usage versus results. The change was made to cut down on confusion between the two spells.
Revision Alerts
A side reveals that Dragon #309 will contain 3.5 material as the books will be out by that time. They also mention that as early as #308 there may be 3.5 material and this material will be clearly marked with a "Revision Alert" tag to aid those without access to the 3.5 as of the printing and to show how things have changed from the old edition.
:: edited in a rules clarification ::
The changes to Harm are explained by giving a Will Save to fill that particular niche. Since there are other spells (slay living being the given example) that attack high Will & Relex-save creatures this one balances things nicely. Further reasoning for the change are the have scaling damage and to take away the "all-or-nothing" aspect of the spell.
The changes to the hold spells (hold person, hold monster) is also realized. The designers are not big fans of
on/off" effects and the designers received much feedback of the same feeling. Their reasoning for allowing a save every round was to avoid eliminating a player from that combat (which typically happens on a failed save) and keeping them around by at the very least allowing them to roll a die every round. It also allows for other party members to assist the character in breaking the spell. So for the level of the spell, it is still effective as it will take a combatant out of the fight for a few rounds even if the save is eventually made.
Haste
They have admitted that Haste was too powerful for its level therefore needed change. It eliminated the need for the Quicken metamagic feat and became a must-have spell. It was also the best defensive spell in the game. The changes are already known but I'll restate them here:
Haste increases movement by 30 ft, gives a +1 to attacks and a +1 AC dodge bonus. It also gives and additional attack with the full attack action.
The article states that the designers know this will have a huge impact on the game as you will no longer see spellcasters and mosters firing off 2 spells every round.
Polymorph
Many problems with this spell made it a perfect target for change. Not only did it have multiple printings and clarifications but it was one of the first spells banned from organized play (something I didn't know). The new poloymorph which works on willing targets always a transformation into a living creature (including aberration, animal, dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, magical beast, monsterous humanoid, ooze, plant or vermin). There are HD caps (caster level up to 15). You get the physical characteristics of the creature but not extraordinary, supernatural or spell-like abilities with the exception of extraordinary attack forms. The example given is the polymorphed fighter that is now a troll: he gains the strength and rend characteristics but not regeneration. The spell lasts one minute per level.
Baneful Polymorph
We already know much about this one. Used basically as an attack. If the chosen form would be fatal (fish in a desert) a +4 bonus is given to the save. This effect is permanent.
They explain the splitting of the different effects as for usage versus results. The change was made to cut down on confusion between the two spells.
Revision Alerts
A side reveals that Dragon #309 will contain 3.5 material as the books will be out by that time. They also mention that as early as #308 there may be 3.5 material and this material will be clearly marked with a "Revision Alert" tag to aid those without access to the 3.5 as of the printing and to show how things have changed from the old edition.
:: edited in a rules clarification ::
Last edited:
