Protection from Neutrality

[Pentaxius]

I suggest this be implemented as part of protection from alignment. Currently, any shades of neutrality is a overpowered alignment - and I'm not talking for mind-spell users - rather for all and every classes of EFU. Even your bland neutral mercenary has an edge over his LG crusader counterpart, namely +2 deflection AC.

Now, where it becomes crazy is in the case of two casters facing each other. The neutral one benefits from +4 to all his spell DCs, which is the equivalent of +8 to his casting state compared to his CE/LG/LE/CG counterpart.

Neutrality can be a valid, concept-fitting alignment. However, I think it is unfortunate and against the spirit of EFU that such a huge mechanical incentive interferes with such a fundamentally story-driven choice as alignment.

"But you can buy potions of the radical soul"

No, buying potions of the radical soul is a crutch and a poor one. Why? 1. It takes 1 round to use 2. it is short lasting 3. easily dispelled (CL 3).

"But this is hurting druids" - Druids recently benefited from a great buff by the inclusion of all transmutation to their second-tier casting. The fact is, providing an mechanical advantage to team nature through a choice that affects all forms of PC, even non-nature oriented one, is not a good design choice. Now, even if radical soul was implemented as part of PfA, Neutrality would -still- keep its edge, why? Because it will not provide +4 to all spells, merely +2 - for the simple reason that you can't double cast.  

Just my two cents, but this is on top of my balance concerns. Quite frankly, I would also prevent +spell saves from stacking - it's simply too powerful on its own, but compared to the neutrality issue it's a minor problem.





 

[xXCrystal_Rose]

NG, NE, LN, and CN actually are able to be protected from via a cast spell. It's only the rare TN that isn't. It's true you can't double cast to get +4 vs non mind-effecting spells from them though but if that does actually stack it might be an oversight by itself. I don't personally think something like Neutral Evil is an overpowered alignment, but if a protection from neutral is made castable it ought to be for true neutral only. One spell for five alignments -four of which are already covered- is a lot.

[PlayaCharacter]

I have no idea what you two are talking about with regard to double stacking bonuses but I do wish Protection from Alignment had an option for true neutral. That's the alignment for all animals and some of them do have mind-affecting spell-like effects. It's pretty bizarre that you can use magic to protect someone from a red dragon's fear aura but can't use the same power to keep people from taking off running at the sound of a wolf howling.

[SilkHidingSteel]

A True-Neutral PF spell would be lovely, given that its the only alignment that is entirely untouchable without a potion that is currently unable to be brewed by players or a more expensive and shorter duration clarity potion.