Suggestion: Remove Spell Effects on Ground & Hide Icons

[Flasmix]

Can we remove foot steps too?

[Theodore01]

Can we remove foot steps too?

Now that we have wings.

[NegInfinity]

Can we remove foot steps too?

You know, I actually had an awesome moment when someone detected my invisible but not sneaking character by sound of in-game footsteps.

[AlexBnt]

Can we remove foot steps too?

You know, I actually had an awesome moment when someone detected my invisible but not sneaking character by sound of in-game footsteps.

And when your character is invisible it makes sense to have footsteps. But people have metagamed hearing my character's footsteps because they heard it in their headphones and not because their character would have been able to hear them.

[Eclypticon]

This is a fantastic idea. I'd love to see it happen along with others.

However, it is my understanding that at least some of this is hard coded. We may need some very creative tricks to pull it off (if it is at all possible), and the same can be said with footfall sounds. So far, I am not aware of any way that this can be done.

Thank you for your suggestion.

[Deathgrowl]

• Remove ground spell effects for all spells

Just to be clear, you mean the effect around a character when a spell is cast and when you transition and stuff, yes?

Not like...

Web? And Wall of Flame?

The topic and description here is a little bit unclear on this.

[AlexBnt]

• Remove ground spell effects for all spells

Just to be clear, you mean the effect around a character when a spell is cast and when you transition and stuff, yes?

Not like...

Web? And Wall of Flame?

The topic and description here is a little bit unclear on this.

I'm fairly positive that is what was meant, yes.

[Mallore]

When you cast a spell the effect on the ground should remain. Kinda like the way it is now.


Spells are noticeable when you cast. They are not quietly hummed (unless you got the feat). They require Ames flailing and weaving of energy that yes moves blades of grass and yes arcane symbols may appear in the air.

The lore supports the imaging on the ground.


I totally get through zoning though.

[Lux]

• Remove ground spell effects for all spells

Just to be clear, you mean the effect around a character when a spell is cast and when you transition and stuff, yes?

Not like...

Web? And Wall of Flame?

The topic and description here is a little bit unclear on this.

Make Horrid Wilting fun again! Remove all spell visuals! </JOKE>

Sorry for being unclear. Yes, I do mean just the on-cast ground spell effect that flashes when casting and zoning. I have updated my posts for clarity:

• • Remove the on-cast spell effect flash on the ground for all spells

[Tsidkenu]

This could be made more precise by specifying all -buff- spell OnPerception VFX/SFX. That is, all those flashy-glowy SFX & VFX that you see when a warded character pops through a transition near you. I don't think Lux means removing the VFX from duration AoE spells like Web, Stinking Cloud, etc etc.

I do believe it is more than possible because some spells, like Invisibility & Walk Unseen, have already had such changes made to them to avoid metagaming their SFX/VFX OnPerception.

[Mallore]

They should remain for on cast for the following. ((Though you have me on the zoning))


Spells are not secretly cast unless you have the feat. They stand out

The weaving of energy to cast spells create light, images sound and affect the environment. Refer to any dungeons and dragons art of spell casting.

Some people played zoom out and may not for graffic reason see you casting when they and there toon clearly could. I play with sound off as my baby is sleeping.

Players should be aware of a players casting attent as it could be a sign of pvp incoming. "Huh that guy that hates me is buffing over there".

Visuals are part of the game. Removing them from on cast is a meta maneuver against the flavor and feel of dungeons and dragons. Reference Google images spell casting for official 3.5 campaign art.

But like I said while zoning. Totally get it. Also would note if you zone, go buff, comeback to pvp so the other play didn't notice should be a major rules infraction. (Though I doubt anyone would do that!)

[grymhild]

some of the persitent spell visuals I think should definitely go or be changed,

also. if a spell is cast Silent, then it should mute the sound effects

and Definitely when entering a new area

Okay... so, this was really badly worded, and didn't really say what I meant it to say, and I'm sorry.

So, here's a better explanation of what I meant.

First... I don't believe that all spells should have sound effects. Some, for sure... others, I'm not so sure.

One quote I hear thrown around a lot is "Magic is flashy.", this is from the from p. 34 of the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide. However, I think it's important to read the whole section. (Emphasis added by me)

Hidden: show

DESCRIBING SPELL EFFECTS

Magic is flashy. When characters cast spells or use magic items, you should describe what the spell looks, sounds, smells, or feels like as well as its game effects.

A magic missile could be a dagger-shaped burst of energy that flies through the air. It also could be a fist-like creation of force that bashes into its target or the sudden appearance of a demonic head that spits a blast of energy. When someone becomes invisible, he or she fades away. A summoned fiend appears with a flash of blood-red energy and a smell of brimstone. Other spells have more obvious visual effects. A fireball and a lightning bolt, for example, appear pretty much the way they are described in the Player ’s Handbook. For dramatic flair, however, you could describe the lightning bolt as being a thin arc of blue lightning and the fireball as a blast of green fire with red twinkling bursts within it.

You can let players describe the spells that their characters cast. Don’t, however, allow a player to use an original description that makes a spell seem more powerful than it is. A fireball spell that creates an illusion of a dragon breathing flames goes too far. Spells without obvious visual effects can be described as well. Since a target who makes his saving throw against a spell knows that something happened to him, you could describe a charm spell or a compulsion spell as a cold claw threatening to enclose his mind that he manages to shake off. (If the spell worked, the target would not be aware of such an effect, for his mind would not be entirely his own.)

Sound can be a powerful descriptive force. You could say that a lightning bolt is accompanied by a clap of thunder. A cone of cold sounds like a rush of wind followed by a tinkling of crystalline ice.

So I'm not saying that spells like, Fireball or Lightning bolt or Greater Shout should shouldn't make a noise or have flashy visual visual effects.

I do think that some spells though, like Sending or Charm Person... shouldn't have visual effects, or audible effects.

For spells without obvious visual or audible effects, if you are in range and can looking at the person, ie can 'see' the person casting the spell if it has Somatic component (unless it's cast Still), or can hear them if it has Verbal component (unless it's Silent)... you might not know that they actually cast a spell.

If you did perceive them cast a spell, then you should get a spellcraft check of DC 15 + spell level (+ certain other situational modifiers) to be able to tell what they are casting. If you fail, you might know that they cast something - but wouldn't know what it was.

anyway...

the flashy parts and sounds that happen when a person with active spells enters a new area though, those give away a lot of meta information. And at least for me, to be totally honest that is sometimes really hard to ignore - even when I really try. :\

Maybe that can't be fixed, maybe it can - I don't know.

I hope that explains what I meant a little better, I'm not sure if it does or not. :\

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edit: fixed should -> shouldn't