Improved Strength

(Alteration)

Range: Touch

Components: V, S, M

Duration: 1 rd./level

Casting Time: 4

Area of Effect: Creature touched

Saving Throw: None

Subtlety: +4

Knockdown: None

Sensory: None

Critical: None

By casting this spell, the wizard can empower a creature with superhuman strength. Unlike the 2nd-level strength spell, improved strength allows the recipient of the spell to ignore race or class restrictions on his maximum Strength score, possibly reaching scores as high as 25. The exact amount of strength gained varies by the recipient’s class group:

Class

Strength Gain*

Warrior

1d8+4 (max 25)

Priest

1d6+4 (max 23)

Rogue

1d6+4 (max 23)

Wizard

1d4+4 (max 21)

* Count each percentile bracket of exceptional strength as one point; the strength gain proceeds as 18, 18/01, 18/51, 18/76, 18/91, 18/00, 19, and so on.

Even if the recipient is not a warrior, he gains all the benefits of an exceptional Strength category; for example, if a thief with a Strength of 14 gained 7 points, he would possess a Strength of 18/76 for the duration of the spell. In addition to the attack and damage bonus, increased chance to open doors or bend bars, and increased carrying capacity, the spell recipient may temporarily gain the ability to throw boulders as a giant of equivalent Strength, as shown below:

Strength

Equivalent

Rock Hurling

Score

Giant Type

Range

Damage

19

Hill giant

80 yards

1d6

20

Stone giant

100 yards

1d8

21

Frost giant

100 yards

1d8

22

Fire giant

120 yards

1d8

23

Cloud giant

140 yards

1d10

24

Storm giant

160 yards

1d12

25

Titan

200 yards

1d20

When the spell ends, the recipient is struck by intense exhaustion; he can do nothing except rest for 1d3 full turns to recover his strength. The material component is a strand of hair from a giant.

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