Barkskin

[GRWelsh]

I have a suggested house rule. Change barkskin to be +4 to AC rather than +1 to AC bonus. This will give druids a "fighting option" and not be overpowered since their unmodified AC is normally 8 or 7. The short duration (4 rounds + 1 round/level) would mean it would only be good for one encounter per casting.

Cindy's persistent charges into combat made me think of this.

Also, I think this spell is woefully underpowered, especially when you compare it to the 1st level magic-user spell, shield.

[Scott]

I'll think about if for the next game. The problem is it stacks with armor and granst a save bonus as well. The spel armor, probably a better spell to compare it to than shield, would give a +2 or +2 bonus, does not stack with armor or give a save bonus, but the duration is much until x amount of damage has been sustained.

[GRWelsh]

I am suggesting to keep the saving throw bonus at +1, and have only the AC bonus be changed from +1 to +4. Yes, it is stackable with other bonuses, but the duration is so low and the normal AC of druids is so poor (leather and wooden shield for AC 7) that I think this is what it would take to make the spell useful.

This way Vert Ivy or Neth would be able to fight in at least one combat per game night, temporarily having an AC of about 3.

Makes a big difference when fighting ogres, orcs, hobgoblins, low to mid-level human opponents, etc.

The armor spell is in a different category because it has such a long duration. One can cast it prior to setting out on an adventure -- and so it doesn't necessarily use up a spell slot. I would call it a low benefit, low resource spell. Shield gives a much better benefit, but takes up a spell slot, and is usually only good for one battle. Barkskin takes the worse features of both and combines them into one spell.

I'd go one way or the other with barkskin -- either increase the duration, or make the AC bonus better.

[GRWelsh]

OTOH, since Ray had barkskin written down on his character sheet, maybe I'm wrong. I just talked to him via LOTRO kinship chat.

[GRWelsh]

How about instead of changing 1st edition barkskin, I instead propose an additional spell for druids, known as improved barkskin, or oakskin:

Oakskin (Alteration)

Level: 3
Range: Touch
Duration: 8 rounds + 2 rounds/level
Area of Effect: Creature touched
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 4 segments
Saving Throw: None

Explanation/Description: Oakskin is an improved version of the 2nd level druid spell barkskin (q.v.). When the druid casts the oakskin spell upon a creature, its armor class improves 4 places because its skin becomes as tough as oak. In addition, saving throws versus all attack forms except magic increase by +4. Also, all physical damage sustained while the oakskin is in effect is halved. This does not apply to forms of attack such as fire, lightning, acid, cold, or magic missiles -- it only applies to physical forms of attack such as swords, teeth, claws, rocks, etc. Note that this spell does not turn a creature's skin into oak, it just makes it as hard as oak -- therefore, it is not more susceptable to fire than normal, for example, and the appearance of the skin is not altered either. Oakskin does not work cumulatively with other oakskin spells, or with barkskin, but its bonuses do work in conjunction with other forms of armor or bonuses (leather armor, plate mail, ring of protection, cloak of protection, etc.). In addition to mistletoe, the caster must have a small wooden shield or some other object of that size or larger that is made out of oak. He must touch that object with one hand and the skin of the recipient with the other hand when he is casting oakskin. The material component is not consumed by the spell.

[Scott]

If I would modify it, I would probably not give a standard +4, but a set AC value. Equal to scale maybe, AC 6, that would not stack with armor, but a shield and dex bonus would still apply. I'd keep the save bonus as is.