Improved Strength

(Alteration)

Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 rd./level
Casting Time: 4
Area of Effect: Creature touched
Saving Throw: None
Subtlety: +4
Knockdown: None
Sensory: None
Critical: None

By casting this spell, the wizard can empower a creature with superhuman strength. Unlike the 2nd-level strength spell, improved strength allows the recipient of the spell to ignore race or class restrictions on his maximum Strength score, possibly reaching scores as high as 25. The exact amount of strength gained varies by the recipient’s class group:


Class
Strength Gain*

Warrior
1d8+4 (max 25)

Priest
1d6+4 (max 23)

Rogue
1d6+4 (max 23)

Wizard
1d4+4 (max 21)

* Count each percentile bracket of exceptional strength as one point; the strength gain proceeds as 18, 18/01, 18/51, 18/76, 18/91, 18/00, 19, and so on.

Even if the recipient is not a warrior, he gains all the benefits of an exceptional Strength category; for example, if a thief with a Strength of 14 gained 7 points, he would possess a Strength of 18/76 for the duration of the spell. In addition to the attack and damage bonus, increased chance to open doors or bend bars, and increased carrying capacity, the spell recipient may temporarily gain the ability to throw boulders as a giant of equivalent Strength, as shown below:


Strength
Equivalent
Rock Hurling


Score
Giant Type
Range
Damage

19
Hill giant
80 yards
1d6

20
Stone giant
100 yards
1d8

21
Frost giant
100 yards
1d8

22
Fire giant
120 yards
1d8

23
Cloud giant
140 yards
1d10

24
Storm giant
160 yards
1d12

25
Titan
200 yards
1d20

When the spell ends, the recipient is struck by intense exhaustion; he can do nothing except rest for 1d3 full turns to recover his strength. The material component is a strand of hair from a giant.

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