Buff spells

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Buff spells can be defined a few ways. In the most liberal terms, buff spells are non-attack spells that assist a player in accomplishing a certain task (e.g. hunting). These spells can be cast on a player and will provide that player with an offensive, defensive or utility benefit for a set duration. The usage of buff spells in this guide might not perfectly agree with the mechanics usage for things like MANA SPELLUP.

A guide to Buff Spells

In general, buff spells are very helpful to characters and, in principle, creatures. Often, they are used by players who wish to add additional DS, TD and AS. They can also provide the character with additional abilities, such as the ability to walk on water, the ability to avoid detection or bonuses to foraging, for example.

Some buff spells are self-cast limited (e.g. can only be cast by a character on themselves), others are available as mass spells (e.g. can be cast on an entire group) and others can be individually cast by one character at another.

There are some buff spells which be stacked, allowing a caster to provide up to a 249 minutes and 59 seconds (4+ hours) of a spell, others which can be refreshed (cast once, up to some threshold) others which can be cast once with a short duration. There are also some buff spells which are only available while a character is in the caster's group.

The goal of this guide is to help advise players about which spells their characters should basically always have running if they know how to cast them as well as advising players on the spells that are available and reasonable to ask from other characters. This guide should hopefully be useful not only to new players, who may not know what spells they should continually have up or who are not familiar with the in character nomenclature of spells as well as returning players, who may not be familiar with some of the newer classes and the spells that they can share. Hopefully, this should also help guide players who are concerned about how to ask others for spells politely and in a way that's in character.

Generic spells of interest

This section outlines most of the defensive and offensive buff spells available to be cast at anyone. You can reasonably expect helpful players will offer these spells, for free or in trade.

  • Spell: Which spell is it.
  • Called: What people usually call this spell in game.
  • Buff: What it will do for you.
  • Stacks: Whether the spell can be cast more than once to increase duration.
  • Appearance: What having the spell cast looks like for you.
Commonly available sharable buff spells
Spell Called Buff Stacks? Appearance
Spirit Warding I (101) "blues", "light blues" +10 bolt DS, +10 Spiritual TD Yes
A light blue glow surrounds you.
Spirit Defense (103) "powerful look", "look" +10 DS No
You suddenly feel more powerful.
Spirit Warding II (107) "blues", "deep blues" +25 bolt DS, +15 Spiritual TD Yes
A deep blue glow surrounds you.
Spirit Shield (202) "dims", "dim aura" +10 DS No
A dim aura surrounds you.
Elemental Defense I (401) "silver(ies/s)" +5 DS, +5 elemental TD Yes
A silvery luminescence surrounds you.
Elemental Defense II (406) "brights" +10 DS, +10 elemental TD Yes
A bright luminescence surrounds you.
Elemental Defense III (414) Mass Elemental Defense (419) "brills", "guards" +20 DS, +15 elemental TD Yes
A brilliant luminescence surrounds you.
Thurfel's Ward (503) "Thurfel's" +20 DS Yes
Glowing specks of <color> energy begin to spin around you.
Strength (509) "strength" +15 Strength Bonus (applies to physical AS, UAC, Encumbrance) Yes
You feel much stronger.
Mass Colors (611) "colors", "hues" +10 DS Yes
You seem to blend into the surroundings better.
Mobility (618) "mobility", "moblies" +20 Dodge Yes
You suddenly feel much more dextrous.
Mass Blur (911) "blurs" +20 Dodge Yes
Your form blurs.
Foresight (1204) "foresight" +10 DS Yes
Opening your mind's eye to the progression of time, a myriad of possible future events fills your consciousness.
Mindward (1208) "mindward" +20 mental TD Yes
You feel your forehead pulse as your mind hardens to deter invading thoughts.
Mantle of Faith (1601) "mantle" +5 DS, +5 spiritual TD No
A whirl of spiritual energy streaks down from above, creating a dully illuminated mantle around your form.
Note: Some of these spells may offer larger bonuses, depending on the caster.

Mass spells

Although outlined in the table above, there is a special class of buff spells, called mass spells. These are all stackable up to four hours and are sometimes collectively referred to as "massies" or "a full set of massies" when they are all being offered. They are as follows:

A caster will commonly announce that they are going to cast these spells before casting them. If someone announces that they are going to cast, they are encouraging others to join their group. In this case, it is acceptable to join even if your character has not met the caster before, and it should be considered an open invitation to do so. Adding other mass spells (if known) is typically appreciated in such circumstances (though you might want to announce your intention to cast these spells in case another caster has already offered).

Note that if a caster did not announce that they are about to cast a mass spell, they may not wish others to join their group, so you should not necessarily just jump into a group if you observe them to be casting a mass spell.

Magic Items

There are several magic items found as part of the treasure system which can be used by all characters, even if they do not have any ranks in Magic Item Use. These items are all activated by rubbing. Because they are commonly found and require no skill to use, they are great for yourself or as tips to others.

Spell circle specific information

Many of the spells listed here have benefits which improve with additional ranks in their home spell circles or with lore training. See the individual spells for specific details on the benefits of additional ranks and the lore benefits for that particular spell or the Lore chart for an overview of the benefits to all the spells in your circle of interest.

Minor Spiritual

(Note: To edit the contents of this section below the first line, see Minor Spiritual buff spells.)

The Minor Spiritual spell circle is available to clerics, empaths, monks paladins, rangers, rogues, sorcerers and warriors.

Minor Spiritual buff spells

Major Spiritual

The Major Spiritual spell circle is available to clerics and empaths. The following spells are stackable and self-cast limited, unless otherwise noted:

  • Spirit Shield (202): +10 DS. Stackable when self-cast, refreshable on others.
  • Unpresence (204): Helps target remain hidden, prevents detection via Locate Person (116) and Presence (402). Stackable when self-cast, refreshable on others.
  • Purify Air (207): Protects against implosions and poisonous gases. Stackable when self-cast, refreshable on others.
  • Bravery (211): +15 AS, plus phantom levels against sheer fear. Self-cast limited without training in blessing lore (and then it's short duration).
  • Heroism (215): +25 AS, phantom levels against sheer fear. Self-cast limited without training in blessing lore (then limited to group, short duration).
  • Spell Shield (219): +30 bolt DS, +30 spiritual TD. Self-cast limited without training in blessing lore (then limited to group, short duration).

Cleric Base

In addition to the Minor and Major Spiritual buff spells, clerics have access to the following spells from the Cleric Base, which are stackable and self-cast limited unless otherwise noted.

Minor Elemental

The Minor Elemental circle is available to bards, rogues, sorcerers, warriors and wizards. It includes the following buff spells which are generally stackable and not self-cast limited unless otherwise noted:

Major Elemental

The Major Elemental spell circle is available to wizards. It includes the following buff spells which are self-cast limited and stackable, except where noted.

Ranger Base

In addition to the minor spiritual buff spells, rangers have access to the following useful buff spells from the Ranger base. All of these spells can be stacked and should be stacked except where noted. Additionally, these spells are self-cast limited, except where noted.

Sorcerer Base

In addition to the Minor Spiritual and Minor Elemental circles, sorcerers have access to the following buff spell, which is self-cast limited and stackable:

Wizard Base

In addition to the Minor and Major Elemental circles, wizards have access to the following circles from the Wizard Base circle which are self-cast limited and stackable, except where noted:

Bard Base

In addition to the Minor Elemental circle, bards have access to the following buff songs from the Bard Base. None of these songs can be stacked, but they can be renewed, which occurs automatically except where noted.

Empath Base

In addition to the Minor and Major Spiritual circles, empaths have access to the following buff spells from the Empath Base circle which are all stackable and self-cast limited unless otherwise noted:

Minor Mental

The Minor Mental spell circle is currently only available to monks. It includes the following buff spells which are stackable and self-cast limited unless otherwise noted.

...to be continued...

Paladin Base

How To Get Spells From Others

As noted above, most classes have a variety of buff spells that they can learn. While it is often possible to get by with one's own spells, it can be very helpful to get more spells from other characters. This is especially true at lower levels when adding a small amount of AS or DS can make a significant numerical difference.

However, it can be considered impolite (and possibly out of character) to stand in the middle of town and yell "I NEED MAGIC!!!1!1!" and one might not wish to get a reputation as that guy (or lady) whose only interaction with others is to beg for spells.

To prevent getting this sort of reputation, the best way is to chat and role-play with other characters while resting. Making friends in the game is always a good way to make sure that someone will be happy to make you glow. If you're new or move to a different town or just do not see any of your friends around, however, there are a few simple things one can do when asking for spells that will make others more likely to help you out.

Low levels

At low levels, it is generally fine to state that you have recently begun adventuring and request assistance with spells from more experienced characters. You may want to greet other characters who are resting in town and make it known that you're just getting started (e.g. "I just got into town.", "I just got off the turnip farm.", "I just started adventuring!", "I've been assigned to kill some rats.") and maybe chat for a bit before asking for some magic to help you with your next hunt.

Typically, everyone is quite happy to help someone who has just started (and it is possible that you may also be offered some hand-me-down weapons, other gear or advice in addition to magical assistance). You can offer a tip in the form of gems, silvers or magical items listed above, but often people will often turn you down if they know you're just starting out (hunting rats does not tend to make someone especially rich).

Pures/Semis with Shareable Spells

(note: section title might need a better name)

If you know some of your own buff spells which can be cast on others, it is often good to offer those in a trade with a character who has a complimentary set of buff spells. For example, if you are a ranger who wants wizardly spells, you may find that many wizards are happy to trade with you (or vice versa).

Note that if you are the sort of person who offers your spells while you are resting or doing some other activity that does not require mana (e.g. fletching, alchemy), others may also recognize you as someone who is generally helpful and will be more likely to help you out when you request it.

No Known Shareable Spells

If you are a more physical class or do not know very many spells that can be easily shared with others, it is still possible to help casters in other ways which will make them happy to have helped you.

One way to help a caster is by learning a few ranks of Spiritual Mana Control or Elemental Mana Control (and to a lesser extent, Mental Mana Control). This allows you to send mana to casters (if they know how to receive mana). This can help the caster give you a full set of spells more quickly and the caster will not have to rest as long before their mana regenerates if they wanted to go out hunting.

It is also possible to offer other services on the spot in the form of Armor Specialization (armor support and fluidity are both typically popular) or future services (e.g. "If you need boxes picked/loresinging, don't hesitate to ask!"). Additionally, you can offer a tip in the form of silvers, gems or magical items, although some characters do not accept tips for spells as a general rule (though they may make exceptions for some particular items they are fond of).

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