Zero-Level Spells Worth Casting

Zero-Level Spells Worth Casting

One of the hardest design issues with spells is creating 0-level spells that are balanced but worth casting. Arguably, core rules spells like virtue don't see much use at the game table because they're just too weak to make them worth the time. Many spellcasters just load up on detect magic and leave it at that. Others take prestidigitation and stretch it beyond its proper boundaries. In any event, here are a handful of 0-level spells that might see some use in your game. A couple may seem overly powerful at the outset, but in fact shouldn't unbalance anything.

These spells were originally conceived for use with core d20 rules. While I personally don't think that the 0-level spells in Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved need much supplementing, for completeness I've included both core rules and Arcana Evolved versions of the spells.

STANDARD D20 VERSIONS

ARCANA EVOLVED VERSIONS

Assess Creature
Divination
Level: Brd 1, Clr 0, Drd 0, Rgr 1, Pal 1, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: S
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

With a wave of your hand, you determine the Hit Dice of one creature. This spell is foiled by any type of magical disguise, polymorph, or shapechange (they provide complete spell resistance to assess creature).

Ignore
Enchantment (Charm)
Level: Brd 1, Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: S
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 round
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

You magically distract a creature, causing it to suffer a -5 penalty to Spot and Listen checks.

Light as a Feather
Divination
Level: Brd 1, Clr 0, Drd 0, Rng 1, Pal 1
Components: V
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round + 1 round/2 levels

You negate the armor check penalty for your armor and shield. This spell cannot be made permanent.

Monkey Climb

Transmutation
Level: Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/level

By increasing your finger length, strength, and agility, you grant yourself a +5 bonus to one Climb check made during the duration. This spell cannot be made permanent.

Sense Spell
Divination
Level: Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: 10 feet
Area: Cone
Duration: Concentration
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

You specify a particular non-instantaneous spell at the time of casting. The spell must be on your spell list and you must be of a level high enough to cast it. If the specified spell is in effect within the area, you become aware of it. You gain no other information—you don't know the caster, caster level, remaining duration, or even the number of such spells in the area.
Creatures with spells such as disguise self cast upon them willingly gain a saving throw. Spells like nondetection or misdirection foil sense spell and thus cannot serve as the specified spell.

Trust
Transmutation
Level: Brd 1, Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round

Assess Creature
Divination
Level: 0 (Simple)
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

With a wave of your hand, you determine the Hit Dice of one creature. This spell is foiled by any type of magical disguise or shapechange (they provide complete spell resistance to assess creature).
Heightened Effect: The spell affects up to three targets, each no more than 30 feet from each other.

Ignore
Enchantment (Charm)
Level: 0 (Simple)
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 round
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

You magically distract a creature, causing it to suffer a -5 penalty to Spot and Listen checks.
Heightened Effect: The duration becomes 1 round/level.

Light as a Feather
Divination
Level: 0 (Simple)
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round + 1 round/2 levels

You negate the armor check penalty for your armor and shield. This spell cannot be made permanent.
Heightened Effect: The spell's duration becomes one minute/level.
Magic Item Cost Modifier: Constant N/A

Monkey Climb
Transmutation
Level: 0 (Simple)
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/level

By increasing your finger length, strength, and agility, you grant yourself a +5 bonus to one Climb check made during the duration. This spell cannot be made permanent.
Heightened Effect: The spell affects all Climb checks made during the duration, the range becomes Touch, and the target is one creature.

Sense Spell
Divination
Level: 0 (Simple)
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: 10 feet
Area: Cone
Duration: Concentration
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

You specify a particular non-instantaneous spell at the time of casting. The spell must be on your spell list and you must be of a level high enough to cast it. If the specified spell is in effect within the area, you become aware of it. You gain no other information—you don't know the caster, caster level, remaining duration, or even the number of such spells in the area.
Creatures with spells such as disguise self cast upon them willingly gain a saving throw. Spells like unknown foil sense spell and thus cannot serve as the specified spell.
Heightened Effect: You need not be able to cast the specified spell.
Magic Item Cost Modifier: Constant x5

Trust
Transmutation
Level: 0 (Simple)
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round

You manipulate your voice, eyes, and facial features to make yourself seem more sincere, thus granting yourself a +5 bonus to one Bluff or Diplomacy check made during the following round. This spell cannot be made permanent.
Heightened Effect: The duration becomes 1 round/level.
Magic Item Cost Modifier: Constant N/A