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Spells from Elsewhere $9.95
Average Rating:4.5 / 5
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Spells from Elsewhere
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Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild
by Christopher B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 04/02/2018 04:01:30

This is an ambitious work full of creative and interesting ideas. Most of the spells are unique, and many have interesting and colorful effects. While there are a variety of damage spells, and many with interesting flavor, I appreciate the book has a large number of spells that create effects besides simply producing some type of damage. With some work, this tome could be a fantastic supplement, and I congratulate the author on the significant work that went into writing this supplement.

That said, this book does need editing and polish, and I look forward to a second version that would refine the work so that it truly matches its price point.

A good number of the spell descriptions are wordy, confusing, and/or poorly formatted. Here are two examples:

(1) "Behold The Elements" is an interesting spell allowing the caster to channel the elements to spend an action making an elemental attack on a target for the spell's 1 minute duration, with the caster having the ability to choose a different elemental energy type for each attack, until all the elements have been used, causing the spell to end. However, the spell description takes up the equivalent of nearly a full page with its description confusingly split between two pages and a large piece of artwork breaking up the description.

(2) "Replicate Self" offers a much shorter-lasting version of Simulacrum that permits the creation of what is in some ways a better copy. It is implied the replica has the caster's full maximum hit points, as opposed to 1/2 maximum hit points of a simulacrum, and the spell allows the replica to be equiped for the spell's duriation with copies of the caster's magic items (albeit without the use of their charges or limited use functions). The caster can even have the replica equiped with the caster's actual equipment items, but these items must be retrieved once the spell ends or the replica dies. Moreover, with its short casting time of 1 action, the spell has combat utility. But, the spell description is not clear about the mechanics of the replica casting spells. The description states the replica knows all the cantrips and spells the caster knows, but it has no spell slots, and presumably it has no way to recover spell slots on its own. So, the caster has the option to transfer spell slots of 3rd level or lower to the replica at the time of creation. Since the replica cannot cast spells for which it does not have spell slot why doesn't the spell description simply state the replica knows all the cantrips and 3rd level and lower spells the caster knows, and the caster must transfer spell slots to the replica in order for it to cast 1st through 3rd level spells? (It is not clear if the replica gets special class features of the caster such as Spell Mastery and Signature Spells). And, for a book full of wordy spells, this spell description like others, leaves out important details. E.g. the replica will take no action without the caster's instruction and communication happens through a telapathic link. But, the spell description does not explain how far this telepathic link extends. The spell also does not explicitly state what sort of mind the replica possesses--does it have an independent mind that can carry out complex tasks or does it only follow simple instructions (e.g. "attack the green wizard")?

The book would be much improved by a reformatting to improve readability and an editing of spell descriptons to make them more clear and concise.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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Creator Reply:
Thank you for the review! I appreciate both the praise and the constructive criticism. I plan on doing further refinement and eventually releasing an updated version of "Spells from Elsewhere," which will be available at no extra charge to those who have purchased a copy. I will definitely revisit the formatting and layout for long spells like "Behold the Elements," and I can offer additional clarity for spells like "Replicate Self" (the replica cannot receive higher spell slots than 3rd, but does benefit from class features like Spell Mastery and Signature Spells; the telepathic link extends any distance but not across planes; the replica is capable of the full tactical cunning of your character, but still requires some instructions to interpret). I will be combing through the text for layout, comprehension, and other issues in the next couple of days. I think I'll let the dust settle a bit longer and get further feedback before I release the first update though: I hope to hear more feedback like yours to point me towards potential issues. For now, enjoy! ^_^
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