Blade Thirst Glow

[Red_Wharf]

Blade Thirst, Blackguard's Inflict Wounds and Curse Weapon all share the same evil red weapon glow when not too long ago Arelith added dozens of new weapon glow effects. It makes me think about the many Rangers who die everyday at the fires of Paladin inquisition because they were confused for Hexblades. Dreadful.

With this in mind I just want to point out that Magic of Faerun (Edition 3.5) states that Blade Thirst has a blue, not red, glow.

[garrbear758]

It makes me think about the many Rangers who die everyday at the fires of Paladin inquisition because they were confused for Hexblades. Dreadful.

And changing it will mean every hexblade will get metagamed.

[Dreams]

The red glow can come from a lot of things. Hexblade, blade thirst, spellsword, vampiric regen, blackguard, and plain VFX on some specific items.

A good way to fix this would be to teach paladins you meet IG that they’re misinformed.

[Anomandaris]

A good way to fix this would be to teach paladins you meet IG that they’re misinformed.

Hahahaha so true, but I also had a mental image of that conversation happening and it didn't end well.

I mean are Paladin's not supposed to murder people for holding spooky looking weapons? *Scoffs* Why be a Paladin then... no fun..

[AstralUniverse]

It's Forogtten Realms. Simple red glow on an item can come from a dang cantrip probably, I bet.

[Archnon]

I mean, the spell literally sucks the life out of someone and gives it to you. Granted, it is an enemy but frankly, i don't think the color is that far off. People should stop making assumptions about blade color in character unless you character has a darn good reason to.

[Red_Wharf]

The paladin remark was just a little joke, I didn't mean it seriously. I really just wanted to point out that Blade Thirst has a blue glow, because you know, some variation is always nice, isn't it? And there's just so many new effects waiting to be used, cool stuff.

And changing it will mean every hexblade will get metagamed.

Following that logic, Bless Weapon has to be red too, or else my Drow Paladin will be metagamed.

[Babylon System is the Vampire]

And changing it will mean every hexblade will get metagamed.

I think having certain things that certain classes have to be careful about using is a good thing, especially when it comes to an extreme class like hexblade, warlock, paladin, blackguard, ect. By this logic, undead should look like elementals.

[Wethrinea]

The red glow is very thematically befitting the Blade Thirst spell. Even the name indicates that this is not a "nice" spell.

[Skibbles]

What if, for the sake of argument, blade thirst and everything else was changed to blue to better neutralize both the meta concern and the associated spooky of red?

Holy White=good.
Spooky Red=bad.
Ambiguous Blue=can't know can't care.

This might be a fun thing to consider alongside making things like Greater Magic Weapon and perhaps other magic weapons also give a blue effect - leaving very special weapons or considerable powers to betray the weapon's true purpose.

I guess, to devil's advocate myself, this will likely narrow the margin of error on metagaming holy/evil weapons more - but maybe at some point, with consideration, that might be a good design when done carefully.

[Kuma]

Following that logic, Bless Weapon has to be red too, or else my Drow Paladin will be metagamed.

Not quite.

Bless Weapon is a spell used often regardless of alignment as it's mechanically good for murdering undead. Seeing someone with in the UD is actually not going to raise many eyebrows.

[TimeAdept]

I'd sooner suggest a non-power taking option on the basin that simply allows you to place the VFX of your choice onto a weapon - also allowing players to utilize all those cool new VFX that got added, or at least some of them. Then all those colors and Fx will be in the world, and it won't be metagaming, because anyone could be picking any color or effect.

In universe explanation: It is a cantrip, prestidigitation, to make magical effects and colors, and a level1 spell to make magic auras. It's easy. Constrain not the fashion souls.

[garrbear758]

I'd sooner suggest a non-power taking option on the basin that simply allows you to place the VFX of your choice onto a weapon - also allowing players to utilize all those cool new VFX that got added, or at least some of them. Then all those colors and Fx will be in the world, and it won't be metagaming, because anyone could be picking any color or effect.

In universe explanation: It is a cantrip, prestidigitation, to make magical effects and colors, and a level1 spell to make magic auras. It's easy. Constrain not the fashion souls.

Knowing if someone has holy sword up or what imbues a spellsword is using is pretty important information this would remove. We have plans for the new vfx but want to use them for specific unique things not just hand them to everything and everyone.

[Subtext]

Don't these override the normal weapon vfx though anyway?