Bats, Rats, or Spiders [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bats, Rats, or Spiders [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Dread Dormammu
07-14-07, 05:01 PM What's The best use of Summon Swarm and why?
Magetastic
07-14-07, 05:15 PM Bats.

Wounding (Ex)

Any living creature damaged by a bat swarm continues to bleed, losing 1 hit point per round thereafter. Multiple wounds do not result in cumulative bleeding loss. The bleeding can be stopped by a DC 10 Heal check or the application of a cure spell or some other healing magic.
Any creature without access to healing (almost all unintelligent creatures) is assured a long slow death. Plus the bats can fly and they have blindsense.
The Dread Dormammu
07-14-07, 05:20 PM Bats.

That's what I was thinking, but I wanted to weigh that against the Spider's poison ability. Strength damage is always good, but the spider swarm has fewer hp.

This is for a battle in the Core Coliseum, for all intents and purposes we should consider that this will be against a PC.
bigbythewise
07-14-07, 05:23 PM I would take the spiders. It's more impressive. :D
Seeker95
07-14-07, 08:45 PM Depends entirely upon your objective. Are you using the swarm to kill an opponent? To incapacitate an opponent? To make your own getaway easier? Your objective determines your selection.
Nephlite
07-14-07, 10:24 PM What's The best use of Summon Swarm and why?

DR will be problem (like against Barbarians), but auto hit is awesome.

I Like Bats myself for wounding. Plus, it is hard to cast in a swarm.
The Dread Dormammu
07-17-07, 06:49 PM Depends entirely upon your objective. Are you using the swarm to kill an opponent? To incapacitate an opponent? To make your own getaway easier? Your objective determines your selection.

It's for COCO so let's assume I'm trying to kill them.

Also what choices are there for higher level "swarm summoning spells"? All I see in SRD is Creeping Doom but that's only for Druids, I was also recently checking Spell compendium and couldn't find anything.
BW0222
07-17-07, 10:11 PM Folks,

One thing I'll point out is that the caster has no control over the swarms direction of movement or target -- other than it's initial summoning position. Because of the short summoning distance... bat swarms can be dangerous to the party. It is fairly easy to end up with a PC being the 'closest' target if someone runs or double moves away.

In many cases, spiders might be better as they don't move as fast and therefore cause issues with friendlies becomeing targets so easily.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Dread Dormammu 07-14-07, 05:01 PM	What's The best use of Summon Swarm and why?
Magetastic 07-14-07, 05:15 PM	Bats. Wounding (Ex) Any living creature damaged by a bat swarm continues to bleed, losing 1 hit point per round thereafter. Multiple wounds do not result in cumulative bleeding loss. The bleeding can be stopped by a DC 10 Heal check or the application of a cure spell or some other healing magic. Any creature without access to healing (almost all unintelligent creatures) is assured a long slow death. Plus the bats can fly and they have blindsense.
The Dread Dormammu 07-14-07, 05:20 PM	Bats. That's what I was thinking, but I wanted to weigh that against the Spider's poison ability. Strength damage is always good, but the spider swarm has fewer hp. This is for a battle in the Core Coliseum, for all intents and purposes we should consider that this will be against a PC.
bigbythewise 07-14-07, 05:23 PM	I would take the spiders. It's more impressive. :D
Seeker95 07-14-07, 08:45 PM	Depends entirely upon your objective. Are you using the swarm to kill an opponent? To incapacitate an opponent? To make your own getaway easier? Your objective determines your selection.
Nephlite 07-14-07, 10:24 PM	What's The best use of Summon Swarm and why? DR will be problem (like against Barbarians), but auto hit is awesome. I Like Bats myself for wounding. Plus, it is hard to cast in a swarm.
The Dread Dormammu 07-17-07, 06:49 PM	Depends entirely upon your objective. Are you using the swarm to kill an opponent? To incapacitate an opponent? To make your own getaway easier? Your objective determines your selection. It's for COCO so let's assume I'm trying to kill them. Also what choices are there for higher level "swarm summoning spells"? All I see in SRD is Creeping Doom but that's only for Druids, I was also recently checking Spell compendium and couldn't find anything.
BW0222 07-17-07, 10:11 PM	Folks, One thing I'll point out is that the caster has no control over the swarms direction of movement or target -- other than it's initial summoning position. Because of the short summoning distance... bat swarms can be dangerous to the party. It is fairly easy to end up with a PC being the 'closest' target if someone runs or double moves away. In many cases, spiders might be better as they don't move as fast and therefore cause issues with friendlies becomeing targets so easily.