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Monday, May 25, 2026

Bone Javelin - AD&D 1e, Page121, could it be the origin of the Diablo 2 spell?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HsYKj2W3_8&list=LL&index=1

Bone Javelin Spell, from the Old 1e book, from 1996 (collected spells date back to 1975 though, so how old is this spell?). Wizard Spell Compendium. 

  • Diablo 2's Necormancer (game release year 2000) had Bone Spear. Sounds super similar. I bet this spell was first. From the TSR Spell Compendium (1e?). 
  • Page121 said it'd go through doors depending on door material. 
  • Can hit others if it misses orig target. 
  • Spell Description and Stats - Bone Javelin
    • Level 7 spell
    • Roll to hit. Range 10 yrds per lvl of caster. 
    • Lasts 1 rnd per level of caster. 
    • Can pause attacking with it one round to cast other spells, etc. 
    • Twists and turns and finds target. Speed 30 (yards or feet?) per round. 
    • Can target undead, other planar, etc. creatures. 
    • Does 1d4 + 1 pt. per lvl of caster in 1e. 
      • DnD 5e, I'd change to something like 3d6 + 2 pt.s per lvl of caster. Needs something else, like stuns or easier to hit or something to use a level 7 spell on, something major. It has to be WAY better than Cantrips at level 7. So let's compare
        • at level 17 how much does firebolt or eldrich blast do? This is a level 7 spell after all. 
          • Firebolt is 4d10. 
          • Eldritch blast is what... 4d10 plus dragging them into thorns or AOE. Or maybe dropping them from high (fly) for extra 2d6 dmg. 
  • In the Book of Shangalar the Black (Male Lich) https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Shangalar_the_Black
  • Ah ha! 1990 this spell came out in Dragon Mag. https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Dragon_magazine_164
BTW. Bones of the Earth were also in this old 1e book. Wizard Spell Compendium. 

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