The Apprentice’s Companion III

Third Level Arcana

By Darkgolem
Updated 11/21/06

Third level spells are the first spells a wizard and sorcerer get that really have powerful area effects.

Author’s Note: While the information here is as accurate as possible, distance, casting time, and damage had to be estimated through experiment.  Several tests of each spell were done before any conclusion was made. It is possible that some spells are slightly different than results showed, but all should be very close to exact.

Wizard and sorcerer ratings are a gauge (on a scale of 1-5) of how worthwhile that spell might be for that class to take.

Deep Slumber Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: short School: enchantment Range: medium Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: 1 minute/level (extendable) Save: will to avoid Target: foe, positional Area: 10’ radius circle Notes:  “Induces a magical slumber to come upon targets, rendering them helpless until attacked.  Ineffective on undead or constructs.”  This spell has the same problem that the original Sleep spell has, in that enemies will outrun the effect. Fortunately, the area is substantially larger, making it more reliable. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Dispel Magic Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: abjuration Range: medium Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: instant Target: friend, self, foe Notes: “Removes ongoing spells that have been cast on a target.”  It is difficult to tell when this spell is useful to cast upon opponents, unless they are inspected before combat to see if they have spell effects upon them. It is very useful to remove charms and similar effect upon creatures, or many effects found on allies. Wizard Rating: 5 Sorcerer Rating: 3

Displacement Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: short School: Illusion Range: medium Components: verbal, material Duration: 6 seconds/level (extendable) Target: friend, self Notes: “An allies outline becomes blurred, granting a 50% miss chance.”  While an excellent spell, the duration is prohibitive in the less difficult combats. Wizard Rating: 3 Sorcerer Rating: 3

Fireball Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: evocation Range: medium Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: instant Damage: (1d3+3)/level, max 10d3+30 Save: reflex for 1/2 Target: foe, directional, breakable Notes: “Creates a ball of fire that detonates on impact, causing an explosion of flame that damages targets around it.”  The first true large scale damage spell available.  It often is a good idea to aim at the floor by your targets rather than your targets.  If it misses your target, it will continue onward, outside of the area you wish to affect. Wizard Rating: 5 Sorcerer Rating: 5

Flame Arrow Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: evocation Components: material (1 normal arrow), somatic, verbal Duration: special Target: self Notes: “Creates 50 flaming arrows within your inventory.”  It can only be cast within an adventure, and arrows produced will remain in the adventure when it is exited.  Flaming arrows do 1d6 fire damage in addition to normal damage. Wizard Rating: 3 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Halt Undead Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: necromancy Range: medium Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: 6 seconds/level (extendable) Save: will to avoid Target: foe, positional Notes:  “Renders undead targets in range immobile.”  Unlike command undead, mindless undead can save versus this affect. This is only useful in a practical sense versus mindless undead.  Attacking the immobile undead does not break the affect. Wizard Rating: 3 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Haste Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time:  medium School: transmutation Range: medium Components:  material, somatic, verbal, Duration: 6 seconds/level (extendable) Target: friend, self, positional Notes: “Quickens allies, causing them to move and attack faster than normal.”  This provides +1 ac (dodge), +1 reflex save, +1 to hit, +25% movement.  Stacks with Heroism, and the ability score buffs such as Cat’s Grace.  This spell is an area effect centered on your target, so gather your allies when you cast it. Wizard Rating: 5 Sorcerer Rating: 4

Heroism Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: short School: enchantment Range: medium Components: somatic, verbal Duration: 1 minute/level (extendable) Target: friend, self Notes: “Imbues a single ally with great bravery and morale in battle, gaining a bonus on attacks, saves and skill checks.”  Stacks with items such as Cloak of Fortitude, and so on.  This provides a +2 to hit, +2 to all saves (it does not stack with other will saves), and a +2 to skills. With its long duration, this is an outstanding buff to use upon your allies.  This stacks with all other buffs, such as the stat buff spells, rage, and haste (excepting, again, will saves). Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 3

Hold Person Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: enchantment Range: medium Components: focus, somatic, verbal Duration: special (save every 15 seconds) (extendable) Save: will to avoid Target: foe Notes:  “The enemy becomes paralyzed and freezes in place, it is aware, but can take no actions.”  Held enemies are subject to critical hits with each hit, regardless of the roll the attacking hero makes. This only affects humanoids creature types. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Lightning Bolt Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: evocation Range: medium Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: instant Damage: (1d3 + 3)/level, max 10d6 Target: foe, directional, breakable Save: reflex for 1/2 Notes: “A powerful stroke of electrical energy damages targets in its path.”  This spell is enlargeable. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 4

Protection from Energy Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: short School: abjuration Range: medium Components: focus, somatic, verbal Duration: 1 minute per level, max 10 minutes (extendable) Target: friend, self Notes: “Grants temporary immunity to a form of energy for 10 minutes per caster level, or until 12 points per caster level has been absorbed.”  This spell acts like a buffer, not damage reduction, absorbing all damage until its reservoir of points are used.  Wizard Rating: 3 Sorcerer Rating: 3

Rage Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: short School: enchantment Range: medium Components: somatic, verbal Duration: 1 minute + (6 seconds/level) (extendable) Target: friend, self Notes: “Causes target for fly into a screaming block frenzy, gaining phenomenal strength and durability, but becoming reckless. Grants a bonus to strength, constitution and will saves, but causes target to take a penalty to armor.”  Grants +2 str, +2 con –2 dex +1 will save. Can cast, can sneak, while under this effect, unlike barbarian rages. Stacks with Haste, ability buffs such as Bull’s Strength, and Heroism, except the will save will not stack with Heroism. A fine spell for the wizard whose allies are warriors. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Ray of Exhaustion Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: necromancy Range: medium Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: permanent Save: none Target: foe, directional Notes: “A ray projects toward the target, causing it to immediately become exhausted.”  This is an excellent debuff for melee combatants. This does not slow rate of attack, nor spell casting or missile use, but does slow movement and reduce damage. Wizard Rating: 3 Sorcerer Rating: 3

Repair Serious Damage Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: transmutation Range: medium Components: somatic, verbal Duration: permanent Target: friend, self Save: n/a Notes: “Transmutes the structure of a living construct ally to repair serious damage.” 3d8 + 1/level (max +15). Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Sleet Storm Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: conjuration Range: short Area: 10’ radius sphere Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: 6 seconds/ level (extendable) Save: reflex 12 save to avoid falling Target: foe, positional, breakable Notes:  “Driving sleet blocks all sight and causes the ground around targets to become icy, slowing targets within it.” This has a 12 reflex save, with no modifications for caster primary statistic or feats.  This is essentially a large grease and fog cloud spell combined. Wizard Rating: 2 Sorcerer Rating: 1

Slow Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: fast School: transmutation Range: medium Area: 10’ radius circle Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: 6 seconds/level (extendable) Target: foe, positional Save: will to avoid Notes: “Causes enemy to move and attack at a drastically slower rate.”  Slows attack rate by 30%, movement by 50%. This spell is useful for large crowds of fast opponents.  It is difficult to place, in a similar manner to Deep Slumber or Sleep. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Stinking Cloud Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: conjuration Range: medium Components: focus, material, somatic, verbal Duration: 6seconds/level (extendable) Target: foe, positional, breakable Save: fort to avoid Notes: “Causes a bank of fog that nauseates living targets. This spell can be a bit difficult to use well.”  It does not hinder attackers from exiting the cloud, but if fought while in the cloud, it will prevent them from attacking or casting unless they fail a save.  Best against spell casters (with poor fortitude saves) and enclosed areas (so they cannot exit the cloud). Wizard Rating: 3 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Suggestion Cool down (seconds): Wizard 24 Sorcerer 12 Casting Time: short School: enchantment Range: medium Components: Verbal Duration: 6 seconds/level (extendable) Target: foe Save: will to avoid Notes: “Influences the actions of an enemy, allowing you to suggest it to fight.”  The duration of this spell makes it difficult to use.  Subjects who fail their save have a set period of time before they will fight nearby opponents; they need time to perceive them as enemies.  As such, the spell often is near expiration before they will fight at all.  On the other hand, this spell affects all creature types except constructs, undead and vermin. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 1

Summon Monster III Cool down (seconds): Wizard 180 Sorcerer 90 Casting Time: long School: conjuration Range: medium Components: material, somatic, verbal Duration: 3 minutes Target: self, directional Notes: “Summons a hell hound to fight for you for a brief time.  Casting this spell locks out casting any other summon monster spell for 3 minutes.”  This is lengthy enough to be useful, but hell hounds are overall fragile creatures.  Because they are able to hide, if they get confused or caught on a terrain feature, one will not see that they have been left behind. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 2

Water Breathing Cool down (seconds): Wizard 6 Sorcerer 3 Casting Time: medium School: transmutation Range: medium Components: focus, material, somatic, verbal Duration: 1 minute + 6 seconds/level (extendable) Target: friend, self Area: 5’ radius circle Notes: “Grants the ability to breath water to you and your allies.”  While not by any means a must have, the benefit of avoiding the possibility of drowning is quite useful on occasion. Wizard Rating: 4 Sorcerer Rating: 2

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