Would it be overpowered if Spiritual Hammer:

1. Got its attack and damage bonus (+2 at level 7, +3 at level 13 and higher)
2. Got strength bonus to attack and damage (like in Baldur's Gate), *and*
3. Had a long range (like in Icewind Dale)?

Basically, this would be a version of the spell that combines the best of the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale versions: a long range melee weapon that gets bonuses from high strength.

(By long range, I mean comparable to a typical ranged weapon, but the weapon would still technically be melee (and would, for example, not get penalties for fighting in melee but would trigger damage from Fire Shield).)

Edit: revised I̶n̶ ̶B̶G̶1̶,̶ ̶y̶e̶s̶.̶ ̶ There's a +2 hammer available early BG1, so I will change my mind and say no. No. Even some slings get strength bonus. Absolutely yes.

Is a +2 bonus really overpowered in the context of Baldur's Gate 1? (Remember that you can't reach level 13 unless you are playing Tutu/Trilogy with an imported character from later in the trilogy.)

Do you consider the Icewind Dale version of the spell to be gamebreaking?

I changed my mind: see edit above -- we posted at the same time, it seems. I consider any spell that makes a one-handed melee weapon long ranged as game breaking.

Why? (It's not realistic isn't a valid answer here; this discussion is about game balance, not about realism.)

Also, I suppose you then consider the IWD version of Mordenkainen's Sword (creates a long range melee weapon) to be more broken than the BG2 version (creates a summon that's immune to most forms of damage)? I would think the BG2 version would be closer to game breaking.

If realism is a valid example, than magic shouldn't exist at all.

Can you think of a valid game balance reason why long range melee attacks are intrinsically game-breaking?

You asked for opinions: "Would it be overpowered if...". I gave you my opinion. I can't help it if you don't like the answers to your query. My answer is the same whether it be through magic or other means. A long ranged one handed melee weapon is overpowered, no matter how you wrap it up.

Again, however, you didn't state *why* it is overpowered. (Remember, overpowered is a term relating to game balance, not to realism or even game stability.)

Maybe one day I will mod this version of Spiritual Hammer into the game and actually try using it. (I'm thinking the beginning of Baldur's Gate 2 with a Ranger/Cleric with 18/00 Strength would be a good test, especially if I pick up Aerie and have her use the spell.)

I have too many other games to play first right now, however. (Gold Box games plus Morrowind and another go at Arena.)

By your explanation, "comparable to a typical ranged weapon" -- I don't even know what that means, by the way. But if a one handed melee weapon becomes a ranged weapon also, then by definition it's overpowered. What more do you want? Maybe if you explained better what you mean by 'ranged'. For example, a great sword or a staff can hit from 2 squares, but that does not make them ranged. Mordenkainen's Sword (BG) is just a creature with a powerful 1 handed (1 attack square) sword.

Mordenkainen's Sword doesn't create a long range melee weapon, it summons an animated sword to attack your opponents. Its literally a conjuration spell.

That spell behaves differently in different games. In Dungeon Hack, it creates a short range melee weapon. In Baldur's Gate 2, it summons an animated sword. In Icewind Dale 1 and 2, it creates a long range melee weapon.

If you have either Icewind Dale game, try it! Use a cheat to get a Mordenkainen's Sword scroll, cast it, and try using the sword against targets that aren't next to you.

As for the actual range, I think it's something like 40, but melee weapons are still limited by line of sight. (The fact that the weapon is melee still has some odd consequences, like that fact that attacking a Salamander with it will cause you to be hurt by the aura.)

That is a bug. The sword summoned by the spell has an erroneous range of 100 (not 40), but it should be just 1.

I did forget that they made it hand held in the old games. But yeah the spell is actually supposed to create a floating blade that attacks opponents.

Link with full hearts is so OP. :-P

I vote overpowered, too. In TOEE, you actually have to spend some time changing weapons to go ranged and melee. So there's that. (in BG1, I don't think there's a time penalty -- unless you have to get into your inventory. Then you're screwed. :D)

Now, if you had to throw your weapon and you lost it, I'd be cool with it. But the range would still be quite short to be effective. It wouldn't be anything like a short bow.

Anyhoots, it's always fun to make crazy fun weapons, though. I vote for a sword and hammer together (Darth Maul style) with a slight curve and a magical string between them that fires enchanted arrows of all elements. And it can break apart. So it's a two-sided weapon, two single weapons and an infinite ammo all-elements ranged weapon. Nothing OP there.

What the heck. It also stops time and occasionally poops perfectly-made pancakes with real butter and maple syrup.


Edit: I'll name it the Swordhammershooter of Gluttony +5.