Will Save Or Perish High Level Spells In Pathfinder?

The text discusses the concept of save spells in Pathfinder combat, which are powerful and can end the battle. The first notable save or die spells appear around 4th level, with phantasmal killer. At 5th level, there are suffocation, icy prison, and hold monsters that effectively become suffocation. To avoid these spells, players should pick up Unhindering Shield at level 6 or 7, depending on their use of UnChained or not.

For higher level spells, failures in reflex saves, Fortitude saves, and Will saves can result in damage, death, or even death for party members. Two first-level spells that immediately take an enemy combatant out of the fight as if they had died are Dispell (level 1), Greater Dispell (level 2), and instant death (level 3).

The text also discusses the importance of having a desperation spell, as creatures often have fort saves so high that they may waste their turn. The text also discusses the need to compile a spell list of save-or-die spells level by level, including incapacitating spells that leave enemies to their mercy.

The text suggests that good saves start at +2 over DCs, but as levels accrue, this becomes a smaller portion of the overall bonus. The simplest solution is to have save-or-die effects deal ability score damage, such as 4d6 points of damage.

The text also discusses the “Terminal Condition” save rule from Fantasy Craft, which allows characters to save vs. a save or die effect, receiving a +4 bonus. Support spells are primarily used, as it is the worst case of wasting a high-level spell for nothing to happen. The text also discusses the best spells for each level, divided between wizard, cleric, and druid spells.