A researched spell... [Archive] - Wizards Community

A researched spell... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Airmail
07-19-05, 08:17 PM A player of mine wishes to research this as a spell. Wanted to see if I could get some feed back from people who have more experience with this.

All comments welcome...

Sonic Lance

Evocation [sonic]

Level: soc/wiz 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft. / 2 levels)
Effect: one or more rays
Duration: instantaneous
Saving throw: see below
Spell resistance: yes

You create one ray of intense sonic energy, plus one additional ray for every 4 levels beyond 3rd ( to a maximum of 3 rays at 11th level). Each ray requires a ranged touch to hit and deals 4d4 points of sonic damage. The target must attempt a fortitude save. If the save succeeds, the opponent only takes the 4d4 damage. If the save is failed the opponent is stunned for one round in addition to taking the 4d4 damage. The rays may be fired at the same or different targets, but all bolts musts be fired at targets within 30 feet of each other and fired simultaneously. The target receives -1 to the fortitude save for each successful ranged touch against that target from the same volley beyond the first bolt ( 1 bolt = normal fort save, 2 bolts = fort save with -1 to roll, 3 bolts = fort save with -2 to roll).
Eros
07-19-05, 08:20 PM It looks ok, I would make it 3rd level though. It looks like he just added the stun ability to it and dropped the damage slightly.

Eros
tarkin
07-19-05, 09:24 PM It is clearly based on Scorching Ray, which itself is a problem. Scorching Ray is a VERY powerfull 2nd level spell, it can easily be abused as is, and should almost be considered a 3rd level spell.

1) Sonic, not fire. Few (if any) creatures are immune to Sonic, this alone makes the spell more powerfull More powerfull.

2) 4d4 instead of 4d6. Average drops from 14 to 10 and max drops from 24 to 16, significant drops. Cancels out the fact that it is sonic.

3) Add on power that Stuns for one round. Stunning for one round is powerfull.

4) Penalties to save if used on a single creature. More powerfull.

Net net, this is too powerfull for a 2nd level spell. As as Third level spell, this is still desirable.

-----------------

Things you can do to make it a 2nd level spell.

Do anyone of these, and it is a fair 2nd level spell.

1) Have the Save negate all damage, not just the stun. And drop the penalty to saves for getting hit by more than one. If you are hit by 3 rays, you must make 3 saves, fail any one and you are stunned and take that damage.

OR

2) Rule that you are not allowed to target the same creature, each ray must target a seperate creature.

OR

3) Lower Damage to 3d4 per ray
StormCrow42
07-20-05, 12:55 AM The first level lesser orb spells in Complete Arcane don't gain the secondary effect that the 4th level Orb spells gain. I'd recommend that a second level spell not gain the stunning effect. In addition, the Orb of Sound spell deafens rather than stuns.
Seeker95
07-20-05, 10:03 AM I like the concept, but the delivery is over-powered as written. By incorporating the comments of tarkin and StormCrow, I think you would have a great 2nd or 3rd level spell, depending on which comments you incorporate.
Koda77
07-20-05, 02:32 PM 1) dont have fortitude negate damage, it is a touch attack there is no save for it except for its secondary effects

2) i agree it is a favorable 3rd lvl spell sonic and effect is just damn powerful

3 if you do make it third drop the rays per level by 1 instead of 4 levels make it three
Vallah
07-21-05, 02:57 AM My gut reaction was to think this was a 3rd level spell. No question. Upon comparing it to Sound burst however, it seems about right. I would make it one 3d4 dmg ray, +1 ray per 3 levels (max 5 rays at 15th level). This would make it slightly worse than scorching ray at low levels and slightly better at high levels. I would also drop the saving throw modifier.
minowicz
07-21-05, 04:24 AM Check out http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/sb/sb20020713a
Sonic Blast*
Evocation [Sonic]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area: 5 ft. wide to close range (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes

You generate a deadly beam of sonic energy from your outstretched hand that deals 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 10d6) to each creature within its area.

The sonic blast may shove creatures in the area back along the path of the spell. Any creature failing its saving throw must make a Strength check (DC equal to damage inflicted by the spell); those who fail find themselves bull rushed directly away from the caster as if by a Large creature with a Strength score equal to the damage the spell inflicted. The spell moves with the target; see the bull rush description in Chapter Eight of the Player's Handbook for details on attacks of opportunity, stability modifiers, etc.

If a creature is shoved back into a solid barrier such as a wall or a strong door, the creature sustains an additional 1d4 points of bludgeoning damage.

Like a lightning bolt, the sonic blast damages or destroys objects in its path. If the damage caused to an interposing barrier such as a closed door shatters or breaks through it, the sonic blast may continue beyond the barrier if the spell's range permits; otherwise, it stops at the barrier.

Material Components: A tiny glass cone.

If your going to up the spell level as sugested, and deserved this spell just looks alot better.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Airmail 07-19-05, 08:17 PM	A player of mine wishes to research this as a spell. Wanted to see if I could get some feed back from people who have more experience with this. All comments welcome... Sonic Lance Evocation [sonic] Level: soc/wiz 2 Components: V, S Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft. / 2 levels) Effect: one or more rays Duration: instantaneous Saving throw: see below Spell resistance: yes You create one ray of intense sonic energy, plus one additional ray for every 4 levels beyond 3rd ( to a maximum of 3 rays at 11th level). Each ray requires a ranged touch to hit and deals 4d4 points of sonic damage. The target must attempt a fortitude save. If the save succeeds, the opponent only takes the 4d4 damage. If the save is failed the opponent is stunned for one round in addition to taking the 4d4 damage. The rays may be fired at the same or different targets, but all bolts musts be fired at targets within 30 feet of each other and fired simultaneously. The target receives -1 to the fortitude save for each successful ranged touch against that target from the same volley beyond the first bolt ( 1 bolt = normal fort save, 2 bolts = fort save with -1 to roll, 3 bolts = fort save with -2 to roll).
Eros 07-19-05, 08:20 PM	It looks ok, I would make it 3rd level though. It looks like he just added the stun ability to it and dropped the damage slightly. Eros
tarkin 07-19-05, 09:24 PM	It is clearly based on Scorching Ray, which itself is a problem. Scorching Ray is a VERY powerfull 2nd level spell, it can easily be abused as is, and should almost be considered a 3rd level spell. 1) Sonic, not fire. Few (if any) creatures are immune to Sonic, this alone makes the spell more powerfull More powerfull. 2) 4d4 instead of 4d6. Average drops from 14 to 10 and max drops from 24 to 16, significant drops. Cancels out the fact that it is sonic. 3) Add on power that Stuns for one round. Stunning for one round is powerfull. 4) Penalties to save if used on a single creature. More powerfull. Net net, this is too powerfull for a 2nd level spell. As as Third level spell, this is still desirable. ----------------- Things you can do to make it a 2nd level spell. Do anyone of these, and it is a fair 2nd level spell. 1) Have the Save negate all damage, not just the stun. And drop the penalty to saves for getting hit by more than one. If you are hit by 3 rays, you must make 3 saves, fail any one and you are stunned and take that damage. OR 2) Rule that you are not allowed to target the same creature, each ray must target a seperate creature. OR 3) Lower Damage to 3d4 per ray
StormCrow42 07-20-05, 12:55 AM	The first level lesser orb spells in Complete Arcane don't gain the secondary effect that the 4th level Orb spells gain. I'd recommend that a second level spell not gain the stunning effect. In addition, the Orb of Sound spell deafens rather than stuns.
Seeker95 07-20-05, 10:03 AM	I like the concept, but the delivery is over-powered as written. By incorporating the comments of tarkin and StormCrow, I think you would have a great 2nd or 3rd level spell, depending on which comments you incorporate.
Koda77 07-20-05, 02:32 PM	1) dont have fortitude negate damage, it is a touch attack there is no save for it except for its secondary effects 2) i agree it is a favorable 3rd lvl spell sonic and effect is just damn powerful 3 if you do make it third drop the rays per level by 1 instead of 4 levels make it three
Vallah 07-21-05, 02:57 AM	My gut reaction was to think this was a 3rd level spell. No question. Upon comparing it to Sound burst however, it seems about right. I would make it one 3d4 dmg ray, +1 ray per 3 levels (max 5 rays at 15th level). This would make it slightly worse than scorching ray at low levels and slightly better at high levels. I would also drop the saving throw modifier.
minowicz 07-21-05, 04:24 AM	Check out http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/sb/sb20020713a Sonic Blast* Evocation [Sonic] Level: Sor/Wiz 3 Components: V, S, M Casting Time: 1 action Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Area: 5 ft. wide to close range (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: Reflex half Spell Resistance: Yes You generate a deadly beam of sonic energy from your outstretched hand that deals 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 10d6) to each creature within its area. The sonic blast may shove creatures in the area back along the path of the spell. Any creature failing its saving throw must make a Strength check (DC equal to damage inflicted by the spell); those who fail find themselves bull rushed directly away from the caster as if by a Large creature with a Strength score equal to the damage the spell inflicted. The spell moves with the target; see the bull rush description in Chapter Eight of the Player's Handbook for details on attacks of opportunity, stability modifiers, etc. If a creature is shoved back into a solid barrier such as a wall or a strong door, the creature sustains an additional 1d4 points of bludgeoning damage. Like a lightning bolt, the sonic blast damages or destroys objects in its path. If the damage caused to an interposing barrier such as a closed door shatters or breaks through it, the sonic blast may continue beyond the barrier if the spell's range permits; otherwise, it stops at the barrier. Material Components: A tiny glass cone. If your going to up the spell level as sugested, and deserved this spell just looks alot better.