Talk:Earth Barrier (5e Spell)

How large is the barrier? Does it fill a 5-foot-cube? - Guy (talk) 13:47, 8 August 2017 (MDT)

Yeah, I believe a 5-foot-cube pillar should be big enough to provide full cover as described in the spell.Clockwerk66 (talk) 13:52, 8 August 2017 (MDT)

After balancing this spell (some factors were changed to be consistent with Precipice Blade (5e Spell)), I think it might be too good against melee attacks, since the barrier pushing you would cause most attacks to automatically miss (unless they're made with a reach weapon). Although compared to 5e SRD:Shield, it is 3 less AC, so maybe its fine. Does anyone have any strong opinion to say if this spell is too powerful/weak? --Woahluigi (talk) 20:34, 15 November 2024 (MST)]

Hmm... To me, it seems like this spell was intended more for spicing up a battle space by adding a terrain obstacle, than to just be shield-but-slightly-different clone #73, seeing as how the spawned cube of dirt more or less persists for an entire combat encounter. Looking it over, I think I would personally have taken it in the direction of raising the slot level to 2nd and slowing the cast time from reaction to action. Endermage77 (talk) 23:14, 15 November 2024 (MST)

I think the spell could still in that sort of way, as the summoned spike could last for a minute and provide cover until destroyed. I don't know if the previous version of the spell would have been balanced at 2nd level, considering it would effectively be 27 temp hp as an action, and complete cover from all spells that had to target a creature or area. Additionally, multiple creatures could get the benefit, so you'd be able to protect entire parties from breath weapons and fireball just by huddling around an earth spike.

Also, I think this spell is different enough from shield and silvery barbs (I'm only comparing it to official spells because I don't know that many unofficial ones), especially due to being changed to last up to a minute. Also, its being given to classes that typically don't have access to shield. --Woahluigi (talk) 13:07, 16 November 2024 (MST)

That is a fair point. However, I think having a 5-foot cube of terrain cover on the battlefield would not be as strong as you make it out to be, because although your own party can potentially abuse it for the reasons you listed, your enemies can also do the same right back to you. One could also climb on top of the 5-foot cube and circumvent any cover bonuses it might have granted. Endermage77 (talk) 14:46, 16 November 2024 (MST)

I think Protective Barrier is a spell that accomplishes your idea better than this spell could. It has a lot of HP, but the cover it grants isn't automatically total cover, and it works both ways. --Woahluigi (talk) 15:24, 16 November 2024 (MST)