Conjuration · Legacy Archery Domain
Greater Arrowlink
Greater Arrowlink carries touch spells through arrows beyond the lesser spell’s 60-foot limit. Unlike ordinary Arrowlink, it allows the archer to use a ranged touch attack while dealing normal arrow damage as well as delivering the spell. This powerful version is a ninth-level Archery-domain spell from third-party legacy d20 rules.
Greater Arrowlink at a Glance
| 5.5e / 2024 | Not an official 2024 SRD spell |
|---|---|
| 5e / 2014 | Not a core spell under this name |
| Pathfinder 1e | Not a default Pathfinder spell |
| Legacy d20 | Archery domain 9 · Conjuration · uses Arrowlink’s personal spell rules except as specified |
Spell Rules by Edition
Greater Arrowlink — 2024
Status: no official spell by this exact name in SRD 5.2.1. A ninth-level legacy domain placement is not automatic modern spell access. The original ranged touch attack and damage rules must not be blended into 2024 attack mechanics.
Greater Arrowlink — 2014
Status: there is no core 2014 spell of this name. The original effect is not a class feature that can be added to any ranged spell for free; a 2014 conversion needs separate action, spell-slot and damage rules.
Greater Arrowlink — Pathfinder 1e
Status: the original third-party Archery-domain effect is not a standard Pathfinder 1e spell. Use Pathfinder’s ranged attacks and spell delivery rules only for an approved, separately balanced conversion.
Greater Arrowlink — Original Legacy d20
| School | Conjuration |
|---|---|
| Level | Archery 9 |
| Components | V, S, DF |
| Casting Time | As Arrowlink: 1 standard action |
| Range | Personal, with spell delivery by a projectile; see text |
| Target | You |
| Duration | As Arrowlink: 1 round/level |
This spell functions as Arrowlink with two improvements. First, the arrow can deliver touch magic at ranges beyond the lesser version’s 60-foot limit, subject to the attack’s normal ability to reach the target. Second, an arrow delivering a touch spell is always treated as a ranged touch attack yet also deals normal arrow damage on a successful hit.
The caster must still cast the touch spell and fire an arrow using the original legacy action rules. Greater Arrowlink does not, merely by being active, give the archer extra attacks, infinite range or a free spell on every arrow.
Greater Arrowlink and Arrowlink Compared
| Feature | Arrowlink (Archery 5) | Greater Arrowlink (Archery 9) |
|---|---|---|
| Touch-spell delivery | Within 60 feet | Beyond 60 feet when the projectile can reach |
| Ranged touch attack | Delivers spell but no arrow damage | Delivers spell and arrow damage |
| Ordinary attack option | May deliver spell plus arrow damage but risks a miss | Original greater spell uses the ranged touch delivery with arrow damage |
The more powerful spell turns a remote spell attack into a weapon attack at the same time; it does not multiply the number of touch spells or remove their own targeting limitations.
Using Greater Arrowlink in Play
At long distances, a magical archer may be able to support an ally standing across a ravine or threaten a monster that cannot safely be approached. Choose the touch spell before firing, check that the target can legally receive it, and resolve the shot according to the legacy rules. The ability to deliver both arrow damage and touch magic makes a successful attack decisive, but the caster still spends the appropriate spell resources.
A game master should treat this as a specialised high-level spell for characters with access to the original Archery domain. Its rarity is part of the encounter design. A ninth-level domain spell is not simply a stronger longbow enchantment available to every hunter or wizard.
Counterplay and Rulings
- Range: the removal of the 60-foot limitation does not make a projectile fly without regard to weapon range, cover, line of effect or the original target rules.
- Attack resolution: the greater spell explicitly allows both arrow damage and touch spell delivery on the ranged touch hit; this differs from Arrowlink.
- Normal casting: casting the delivered touch spell still uses its original action and components. The archer does not gain free spell slots.
- Interruptions: apply the original legacy rules for interrupting casting and for missed shots; do not import modern reactions or concentration as a hidden conversion.
Related Magic
Arrowlink explains the foundation of the spell. Arrowfire adds searing damage without spell delivery. Archery domain records the original tradition.
Mythical Context
Hermes carried messages between gods and mortals. The idea of an arrow bearing a distant spell echoes a supernatural messenger that delivers power precisely where the sender cannot reach. See a Hellenistic relief identifying Hermes by his herald’s staff.
Historical Context
Archers in mounted armies developed precise methods of shooting while moving. A Parthian bronze arrowhead in the Metropolitan Museum illustrates the weapon of horse archers whose famous ‘Parthian shot’ used the mobility of retreat to deliver an attack. The artefact does not document spells travelling on arrows. See the Met’s Parthian arrowhead and historical commentary.
Rules Sources and Attribution
Original spell: Relics & Rituals: Olympus (2004), White Wolf Publishing / Sword & Sorcery Studios, credited to W. Jason Peck, Aaron Rosenberg, Christina Stiles and the book’s creative team. The original text is third-party d20 material, not official Pathfinder or fifth-edition content.
Preserved original spell wording and publisher credits
Relics & Rituals: Olympus
© 2004 White Wolf Publishing, Inc. Distributed for Sword and Sorcery Studios by White Wolf Publishing, Inc.
By W. Jason Peck, Aaron Rosenberg, Christina Stiles and Relics & Rituals: Olympus team
Conjuration
Level: Archery 9
Components: V, S, DF
As Arrowlink, but you may deliver touch spells beyond the 60-foot range. In addition, whenever delivering a touch spell through a greater arrowlink, the attack is always treated as a ranged touch attack, but inflicts arrow damage as well as delivering the spell.
The original rights and licence terms remain applicable to the third-party wording.
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