Enlarge

This spell causes instant growth of a creature or object, increasing both size and weight. It can be cast only upon a single creature (or a symbiotic or community entity) or upon a single object that does not exceed ten cubic feet in volume per caster level. The object or creature must be seen to be affected. It grows by up to 10% per level of experience of the wizard, increasing this amount in height, width, and weight.

All equipment worn or carried by a creature is enlarged by the spell. Unwilling victims are entitled to a saving throw vs. spells. A successful saving throw means the spell fails. If insufficient room is available for the desired growth, the creature or object attains the maximum possible size, bursting weak enclosures in the process, but it is constrained without harm by stronger materials — the spell cannot be used to crush a creature by growth.

Magical properties are not increased by this spell — a huge sword +1 is still only +1, a staff-sized wand is still only capable of its normal functions, a giant-sized potion merely requires a greater fluid intake to make its magical effects operate. etc.

Weight, mass, and strength are affected, though. Thus, a table blocking a door would be heavier and more effective, a hurled stone would have more mass (and cause more damage), chains would be more massive, doors thicker, a thin line turned to a sizeable, longer rope. and so on. A creature's hit points, Armor Class, and attack rolls do not change, but damage rolls increase proportionately with size. For example, a fighter at 160% normal size hits with his long sword and rolls a 6 for damage. The adjusted damage roll is 10 (that is, 6 x 1.6 = 9.6, rounded up). Bonuses due to Strength, class, and magic are not altered.

Reverse

The reverse spell, reduce, negates the enlarge spell or makes creatures or objects smaller. The creature or object loses 10% of its original size for every level of the caster, to a minimum of 10% of the original size. Thereafter, the size shrinks by one-foot increments to less than one foot, by one-inch increments to one inch, and by 1/10-inch increments to a minimum of of an inch—the recipient cannot dwindle away to nothingness. For example, a 16-foot-tall giant reduced by a 15th-level wizard (15 steps) would be reduced to 1.6 feet (in nine steps), then to 6/10 of a foot or 7.2 inches (in one step). and finally to 2.2 inches (in the last five steps). A shrinking object may damage weaker materials affixed to it, but an object will shrink only as long as the object itself is not damaged. Unwilling creatures are allowed a saving throw vs. spell.

Commentary

Much is made in the spell description in the Player's Handbook of changing the size of creatures, but wizards often overlook the usefulness of enlarge to change the size of objects. For instance, if the party is being pursued through a narrow passage or hallway, casting enlarge on a stone or other object behind the party can effectively block the passage and prevent the enemy's advancement. Similarly, if the party is faced with a locked or stuck door, the reverse spell, reduce, might be able to shrink the door just enough to allow the party to get through.

[Player's Handbook]
[Complete Wizard's Handbook]

Reversible

School: Alteration
Level: 1
Rarity: Common

Range: 5 yards/level
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 5 rounds/level
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: 1 creature or object
Saving Throw: Negates

Material Components:
a pinch of powdered iron (consumed)