Arelith

While I was writting the phantom wound bug report, I came up with this idea.

For now the way the spell is supposed to work is still unclear to me. For ease of understanding, and perhaps also for ease of implementation since it's not working for now (this statement is not meant as a bash toward the devs.) :

I would like to suggest that phantom wound, on a failed save, simply sets the target's constitution to 4.
What does this imply?
At the very end of the scale it's a nerf for the spell. Considering the target is level 30 :
Right now : expected result is to drop hp to 5d4, so potentially with best rolls, 5 hp remaining up to 20hp, depending on the rolls.

This suggestion : The result varies on class. d4hp classes like wizard would have 30hp remaining, while a class with d12hp like barb would still have a whooping 270 hp remaining.

The added benefit of this is that having your CON drop to 4 also lowers your fortitude saves since it's based on your CON modifier. Having it go from 5 to -3. is a fortitude save that is 8 points below it's normal value. It allows for easier use of fortitude save spells or even abilities if you have friends around

Thoughts regarding PvP: Being a mind affecting spell means that you can still cure it with a simple clarity/mind blank, and you can do it right away considering you're not paralyzed/stunned/grounded.

Thoughts regarding PvE : Cool for early/mid game, hard to use in late but could still be of use if fishing for 1's against the will save.

This is basically an extreeeeme version of hypochondriasis, so both effects make sense to me.

Additinal possible bonus effects I just thought about :
Split the spell in three possible usages like Shadow conjuration works.

Phantom wound (arms) : Reduced AB by -X ( A significant amount similar to bigby's interposing hand's -10AB)
Phantom wound (head) : X% Spell failure both arcane and divine
Phantom wound (legs) : Movement speed reduced by X%
X to be defined by the devs. These maluses are added On top of base effect. If accepted, might need to up the spell circle to 7.
The mass phantom wound applies one of the three possibilities randomly to enemies.