Vortex Warp: I Have You Right Where I Want You
Usable By: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
Spell Level: 2
School: Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 90 feet
Duration: Instantaneous
Components: V, S
You magically twist space around another creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (the target can choose to fail), or the target is teleported to an unoccupied space of your choice that you can see within range. The chosen space must be on a surface or in a liquid that can support the target without the target having to squeeze.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the range of the spell increases by 30 feet for each slot level above 2nd.
Review by Sam West, Twitter: @CrierKobold
“Where do you think YOU’RE going?” - Cass the conjurer as she teleports the fleeing goblin directly next to her raging barbarian pal
Vortex Warp has some steep competition when it comes to teleportation spells; I’m a huge fan of Misty Step, and this uses the same spell slot and takes an action. What you’re getting is a 90 foot range teleport upgrade with the ability to teleport anyone you want with it. While that may seem miles better, the action cost makes each great in their own specific situations. Vortex Warp isn’t really BETTER than Misty Step, but they both can happily coexist on a variety of sheets.
Some characters are going to want a way to take a baddy and put them far away; Vortex Warp can do that. Other characters may only really care about getting themselves quickly out of or into specific positions while performing other actions; that’s when you’d rather have Misty Step. The difference in range is pretty noticeable, but a lot of the value of teleportation isn’t in the distance so much as the ability to pass through solid objects. Both will get you up a few floors into an open window. Misty Step can’t go as far, but lets you immediately act when you get there.
Vortex Warp does a lot of things Misty Step can’t. Being able to teleport a raging barbarian up to 90 feet can offer a tactical pincer maneuver out of nowhere. When the last of a group of enemies turns tail to run, Vortex Warp can simply deny them the opportunity to escape. Situations will pop up fairly frequently where you’ll find Vortex Warp can get somebody where you want them regardless of size or their feelings towards you, and that is quite valuable.
I think some days maybe I should branch out and try characters without access to this kind of magic, but then I read a new spell like Vortex Warp and I get sucked right back in. While these effects won’t be great fits for every type of player, if you like out of the box solutions and tools, you can have a blast with Vortex Warp.
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