The magical hex of the stone guardian Once upon a time, in a mystical land far away, there lived a stone guardian. This guardian stood tall and strong, protecting a hidden treasure that held immense power. Legend had it that anyone who dared to approach the treasure would be subject to the guardian's magical hex. The magical hex of the stone guardian was a formidable spell that could bring both fortune and doom. It was said that those who were worthy would be granted incredible wealth and prosperity, while those who were unworthy would suffer great misfortune and despair. Many adventurers sought to uncover the secret of the stone guardian's hex, hoping to harness its power for their own gain.
Many adventurers sought to uncover the secret of the stone guardian's hex, hoping to harness its power for their own gain. They would venture through treacherous paths, facing trials and obstacles in search of the hidden treasure. However, the guardian was ever watchful, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike with its magic.
Thread: Let's optimize magic stone.
Enchant up to three stones as a bonus action. They retain the enchantment until used or you cast it again, up to one minute. No concentration. Each stone does 1d6+[casting stat mod] bludgeoning damage on hit. 60 ft. range if thrown, sling range if used with a sling. Qualifies as a spell attack using your attack modifiers even if somebody else hurls them.
Used by just yourself, you can take a bonus action, then hurl one as your action. And still have two more for the rest of your turn. If you're a class with an extra attack (e.g. an Eldritch Knight), you can hurl two of them in a turn. Before level 5, if you can get two of them shot off in one round, you're doing slightly more damage than a character with Eldritch Blast, who won't get his second blast until level 5. Assuming no Agonizing Blast, you're actually keeping up or slightly ahead even until level 11, when eldritch blast gets a third attack (And even THEN 1d6+4 or 5 is better than 1d10).
But you're not getting that damage all in one round the way eldritch blast does, not once you hit level 11. Not unless you can fling all three. And you can probably fling them better at that point.
It's also questionable, for an Eldritch Knight, whether using these counts as a ranged weapon attack that would trigger the +2 to hit for Archery fighting style, or for an Arcane Trickster it would trigger Sneak Attack. Either way, a shortbow would do comparably, just off of Dex rather than a casting modifier.
For a necromancer wizard, it might be worthwhile since I think it would give 1d6+casting stat+proficiency to damage, which is probably higher than the skeletons' own dexterity modifier. But again, the undead will be almost as effective with plain shortbows.
Really, it doesn't make a non-necromancer wizard any better; the proficiency bonus to damage stacks with the magic stone use of the caster's bonuses.
It seems to me that the best way to optimize this spell is with hirelings or the like. Creatures with hands that can make attack actions but which are significantly less capable in terms of attacking and damaging things than you are (and, thus, ideally, are cheap and easy to get ahold of). You can bonus-action cast magic stones, hand them off, let them make their attacks, and then do whatever you want with your own action. It might not be feasible to have genuine hirelings who are expected to help fight, but then again, if you have them as camp servants, offering to arm them so they can do more than cower and look vulnerable might be a plus.
I'm not sure what other possibilities there are that might be superior. Familiars can't attack, generally, so that's not really helpful. Maybe trained (flying) monkeys?
It's hard to come up with options that are feasible but wouldn't already have better stats for attacking than just throwing your magic stones for you.
Bonus question: can you fire the enchanted pebbles with catapult? If so, what�s the result?
AC 17, touch 9, flat-footed 17 (–1 Dex, +8 natural)
hp 47 (5d10+20)
Fort +1; Ref +0; Will +1
Defensive Abilities light fortification; Immune construct traits; Resist cold 5, fire 5, electricity 5
The hex could take many forms, depending on the intentions of the intruder. For those with pure hearts and noble intentions, the hex would bless them with limitless riches and success. Their endeavors would flourish, and they would be showered with abundance. On the other hand, for those who sought to exploit the treasure for selfish purposes, the hex would bring upon them endless calamities. Their wealth would turn to dust, their dreams shattered, and they would be consumed by their own greed and hubris. Many tales were told of those who fell victim to the stone guardian's hex. Their stories were cautionary tales, reminding all who heard them the importance of integrity and humility. There were a few, however, who managed to unlock the secret of the hex and emerge unscathed. These individuals understood that the true power of the treasure lay not in its material wealth, but in the knowledge that it held. For the stone guardian, the hex was not merely a punishment or a reward. It was a test of character, a measure of one's worthiness. It challenged individuals to confront their true motives, their deepest desires, and the values that guided their actions. In the end, the treasure itself was not the prize; it was the lessons learned along the way that held true value. The magical hex of the stone guardian was a reminder that true wealth and prosperity come from within, from living a life of integrity and compassion. So, should you ever find yourself on a quest for treasure, remember the tale of the stone guardian's hex. Seek not just material wealth, but the treasures of the heart. And remember, true magic lies in the choices we make, the virtues we uphold, and the humanity we embrace..
Reviews for "Captivating Curiosity: The Stone Guardian's Hex and its Spellbinding Mystery"
1. John - 2/5
I found "The magical hex of the stone guardian" to be quite underwhelming. The plot lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them, which made it difficult to be invested in the story. The pacing also felt off, with certain scenes dragging on while others were rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1/5
"The magical hex of the stone guardian" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was clunky and the dialogue felt forced. The world-building was weak, leaving me with more questions than answers. The main character was incredibly unlikable, making it hard to root for her. Additionally, the plot was predictable and lacked originality. I ended up skimming through most of the book, hoping for something to grab my interest, but it never happened. I wouldn't waste my time with this one.
3. Emily - 3/5
While "The magical hex of the stone guardian" had some interesting elements, it ultimately fell short for me. The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of slow development followed by sudden, rushed climaxes. The character development was also limited, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. However, there were a few intriguing plot twists that kept me somewhat engaged. Overall, it was a decent read, but not one that I would recommend without reservation.
4. Michael - 2/5
I struggled to finish "The magical hex of the stone guardian". The writing style was overly simplistic, making it feel more like a children's book than a young adult novel. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with a vague sense of the setting. I found it difficult to immerse myself in the story because of these shortcomings. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.