Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Melekith 10-01-04, 09:03 AM	Am I missing some errata to Acid Sheath somewhere? This spell just seems way over powered for it's level. I mean 1d6 +2 per level (with no cap), no save and no SR seems a bit overpowered for a 5th level spell. Anyone attacking someone protected by this is going to take 21 points of damage (on average) per hit! And that's at it's lowest level. At higher levels it gets even more insane! (Example: 24th level Wiz w/Acid Sheath, the spell would deal 51 points of damage on average per strike, no save, no SR.) Is it just me? Am I looking at this all wrong?
tarkin 10-01-04, 10:01 AM	Compare with the spell Fire Shield. Fire Shield: 4th level No save, no SR: 1d6+1/level (capped at 15). Caps are not very important when you are talking about a spell that does +2 or +1 per level. (Because average hit points are +2.5/level for the lowest hit die creature, and neither maximize, repeat, nor twin help the spell). If I were to cap it, it would be at 20 (to stop Empower/admixture abuse). But the truth is if you are playing at 20th level, chances are you have either a reach weapon, a ranged weapon, some other distance effect, or might be immune to acid, so it is not that important. Saves are not that important when a spell only affects people that attack you with a natural weapon or a non-reach melee weapon. Acid Sheath is a good, strong 5th level spell, but not over-powered.
Feneem 10-01-04, 10:08 AM	Since when does an adversary befitting a 24th level wizard not have either a stack of elemental immunities/buckets of hp/ranged attacks/spell attacks? The lack of a cap might be a mistake but it's not a crucial one.
Melekith 10-01-04, 10:10 AM	I don't know...Fire Shield only does 1d6 +1 per level, caps at +15 and allows SR to resist it. I still think Acid Sheath is a bit overpowered for only a 5th level.
tarkin 10-01-04, 10:32 AM	I don't think Fire Shield allows SR to resist it.
masterofmayhem 10-01-04, 11:58 AM	It doesn't. It also has the added effect of protecting you from either fire or cold. Fire Shield Evocation [Fire or Cold] Level: Fire 5, Sor/Wiz 4, Sun 4 Components: V, S, M/DF Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: 1 round/level (D) This spell wreathes you in flame and causes damage to each creature that attacks you in melee. The flames also protect you from either cold-based or fire-based attacks (your choice). Any creature striking you with its body or a handheld weapon deals normal damage, but at the same time the attacker takes 1d6 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +15). This damage is either cold damage (if the shield protects against fire-based attacks) or fire damage (if the shield protects against cold-based attacks). If the attacker has spell resistance, it applies to this effect. Creatures wielding weapons with exceptional reach are not subject to this damage if they attack you. When casting this spell, you appear to immolate yourself, but the flames are thin and wispy, giving off light equal to only half the illumination of a normal torch (10 feet). The color of the flames is determined randomly (50% chance of either color)—blue or green if the chill shield is cast, violet or blue if the warm shield is employed. The special powers of each version are as follows. Warm Shield: The flames are warm to the touch. You take only half damage from cold-based attacks. If such an attack allows a Reflex save for half damage, you take no damage on a successful save. Chill Shield: The flames are cool to the touch. You take only half damage from fire-based attacks. If such an attack allows a Reflex save for half damage, you take no damage on a successful save. Arcane Material Component: A bit of phosphorus for the warm shield; a live firefly or glowworm or the tail portions of four dead ones for the chill shield.
smrtgmp 10-01-04, 01:16 PM	I think its fine, given that the damage is easy to avoid. Here's a novel concept, dont reach through the acidic field surrounding the wizard. Use a long spear or a bow, and you have nothing to worry about.