Spell Times and Components Etc. - A Survey

[Solaghar]

For those of us who are spellcasters, we know that some spells simply don't vibe with the component cost. So here's a chance to lay out your (least) favorite spells and why you think they should be altered. The format should be like this:

Spell: Nondetection
Components: An expensive diamond (1) [1 being how many times you can use the component before it runs out]
Problem: My problem with nondetection is that for a 25 platinum component, the spell lasts a very short time. It's RP benefit is hence negligible because a few minutes worth of casting would quickly bankrupt even the richest person. To put that in perspective, casting this spell 40 times, probably not even enough to get a single spell improvement, would cost 1000 platinum.
Possible Solution: Less expensive component, longer lasting time

I have approval from the admins to start this thread, but let's try not to turn it into a debate. If you disagree with something someone else says based on facts (i.e. they are wrong about the number of castings you can get with a certain spell's components) then it would be appropriate to mention it. If you disagree with them based on merely their opinion of whether the spell is worthwhile, probably best to keep it to yourself. If someone feels that a spell isn't worth it's casting cost or lasts too short a time to be useful at all, then that's their opinion and this thread is about getting opinions. This thread is about giving the people upstairs a survey of player opinion on any spells they have problems with which they may then take and apply to improve the game.

[Nysan]

I'm sure I'll add more later, but here is a quickie for now:

Harm/Heal:
Harm does not have a limted use component, however its opposite, heal, does. Such things should be balanced as the 'cure/cause xxxxx wounds' spells are balanced.
Problem solution: Both with (low cost) limited use components or neither.

Regenerate:
Why does such a limited use spell, one almost always used in very dire situations, have such a steep component cost? There is no reason to hold this spell down by component costs and every reason to avoid situations where a priest has the spell but cannot afford the component to help someone in need.
Problem solution: Lighten up the component cost. Holy symbol and something less cost intense.

[Hrosskell]

Restoration:
This spell is much like regenerate; it's that odd, status removing
spell that also has the wonderful use of restoring drained levels.
I think it would be used a lot more if the component cost wasn't
the same as raise dead and regeneration; whether the return of
negative levels is as/more worthy than death or a lost limb is
up for speculation, but I believe you should get a few more
uses from this one than you do at least raise dead, as it's lower
level than both raise dead and regeneration.

Heal:
I absolutely love this spell, however it seems to have gotten the
axe hard-core, as of late. Both in the healing factor and component
department, it has. I would certainly keep a handful of these,
however I am constantly running out of flasks of holy water casting
it and every other goodly priest spell my Tormtar has. I definitely
think that this would be better if a higher-priced, but more durable
component was substituted instead of "a vial of holy water". Well.
Those are pretty expensive anyway, if you don't make them on
your own, so.. Just more uses.

Vials of Holy Water/Flasks of Water:
My complaint is really just with this component. I wish the water lasted just a little bit longer. I have to keep 50 on me, and I can never find 50, and I don't have the time to bless all 50, and maybe I don't even need to bless all 50, but I do it anyway. I will admit, it's cheap and easy and cool for a lot of spells, but just like manure with bull's strength - yes, I can get a lot of it. Yes, it takes virtually no effort to do it, but it's tedious and time consuming and just.. odd. Most other spells of these levels take equally cheap components that don't get used up in one cast. My specific spells of dislike on this one are sanctuary, divine favor, shield of faith, and holy sanctity. These also don't seem to last long at all. Usually divine favor runs out before I finish "spelling up" my priest.

[Elenthis]

I just thought I would also add, in the case of nondetection...

To brew a single potion of nondetection would theoretically cost 75 platinum. With spells in potions lasting as short as they do, and already being in what SEEMS to me to be low demans, this sort of cost makes some of them...well. Its like buying a really really good chocolate. for $20,000. Lol

[Vibius]

Particularly I think that spells that allow you to "fix" others characters should be way cheaper, the components used to restore negative levels and to restore lost limbs although they shouldn't be cheap they shouldn't be a setback, for many players having to pay two times the components used for restoration can mean a serious harm to that character's resources.

[Duranamir]

Spell Summon

As a component takes and consumes some of ! a flask of dragons blood.

I have only ever cast this spell twice despite knowing it for several RL years. IMO the component costs should be on a par with Gate or teleport, expensive but not consuming something like dragons blood.

Duranamir

[Nedylene]

Ice Storm:
Component : a flask of water, some gem powder
The components themselves aren't bad. Cheap component, semi expensive component.. the gem powder however.. seems to only last 2-3 uses which makes it EXPENSIVE for an offence spell which only hits for moderate damage.

[Elenthis]

Magic weapon.

Some gem powder AND an expensive diamond. Very very expensive for a spell that encourages interaction between wizards and non-wizards. I'm afraid to cast it to see what the usage is on the diamonds, but even if its 2 to 3 befor poofing, I could cry.

[Dalvyn]

Keep posting comments, we'll consider them all at once when we have enough.

[Kregor]

I do agree, I think, that the component cost for Magic Weapon and Greater magic Weapon could decrease, since we've fixed the apply situation on weapons.

[Orplar]

I second the idea on the harm/heal spells. Removing the component or adding a set amount of uses to any spell with a vial of water/blessed water would be nice. As of right now, every spell with that component that i have tried poofs with each use.