Call Lightning and Cloudburst - synergy or munchkinism? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Call Lightning and Cloudburst - synergy or munchkinism? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
exploding_brain
06-24-05, 01:47 PM From the SRD description of the Call lightning spell.

If you are outdoors and in a stormy area—a rain shower, clouds and wind, hot and cloudy conditions, or even a tornado (including a whirlwind formed by a djinni or an air elemental of at least Large size)—each bolt deals 3d10 points of electricity damage instead of 3d6.

Cloudburst, a second level Druid spell from Complete Divine, creates heavy cloud cover and a drenching rain. (I won't quote the exact text of the spell because it's not open content)

Do you think that the game designers intended Cloudburst to generate the sort of conditions that would increase the damage of the Call Lightning spell?

The druid in my party used this combo in our last battle. It was a complicated battle, and my attention was elsewhere, so I didn't bother to challenge her interpretation of the rules. At first glance, it seems reasonable that a 2nd level Druid spell can, under particular conditions, enhance the effect of a 3rd level Druid spell.

What do you think?
tarkin
06-24-05, 01:57 PM It seems reasonable to me.

3d6 -> 3d10 is only +2 points on average. A 2nd level spell should be able to do that.
The Mailman
06-24-05, 01:59 PM Well, it seems to meet the literal wording of the rules. It hardly seems to be unbalancing--take time to cast a 2nd lvl spell to increase bolt dmg from 3-18 to 3-30. Plus, it seems to be right in the spirit of the spells--it makes it a real storm, it's visually impressive, etc.

Was there some problem?
Drachasor
06-24-05, 02:01 PM I agree with everyone else, especially since cloudburst can be dispelled, can it not?

-Drachasor
Zherog
06-24-05, 04:04 PM I don't have Complete Divine around, so I can't look at the exact text, but I really don't see a problem in this synergy. You're taking up two spell slots to do so - that seems OK to me. Especially since call lightning has a 1 round casting time.
RaspK FOG
06-24-05, 05:38 PM The combination is completely viable as far as I can see, especially so since the spell's area is a 100-foot radius emanation...
exploding_brain
06-24-05, 08:56 PM Glad (and slightly surprised) to hear a unanimous response in favor

The primary issue that had me worried was the Control Weather spell. As a 7th level spell, it's the only obvious spell in the PHB that lets a Druid create stormy conditions for Call Lightning or Call Lightning Storm. It seemed a little odd that a 2nd level spell could accomplish the same thing, but I'm now convinced that it's just fine.

So do you think there are any other spells that will give Call Lighting that little extra "jolt"? :rolleyes:

For instance, would Sleet Storm work?
smrtgmp
06-25-05, 01:11 AM Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesnt cloudburst have a casting time of 1 round as well? So you have two spells with 1 round casting times, meaning it will be very easy to disrupt the combo.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
exploding_brain 06-24-05, 01:47 PM	From the SRD description of the Call lightning spell. If you are outdoors and in a stormy area—a rain shower, clouds and wind, hot and cloudy conditions, or even a tornado (including a whirlwind formed by a djinni or an air elemental of at least Large size)—each bolt deals 3d10 points of electricity damage instead of 3d6. Cloudburst, a second level Druid spell from Complete Divine, creates heavy cloud cover and a drenching rain. (I won't quote the exact text of the spell because it's not open content) Do you think that the game designers intended Cloudburst to generate the sort of conditions that would increase the damage of the Call Lightning spell? The druid in my party used this combo in our last battle. It was a complicated battle, and my attention was elsewhere, so I didn't bother to challenge her interpretation of the rules. At first glance, it seems reasonable that a 2nd level Druid spell can, under particular conditions, enhance the effect of a 3rd level Druid spell. What do you think?
tarkin 06-24-05, 01:57 PM	It seems reasonable to me. 3d6 -> 3d10 is only +2 points on average. A 2nd level spell should be able to do that.
The Mailman 06-24-05, 01:59 PM	Well, it seems to meet the literal wording of the rules. It hardly seems to be unbalancing--take time to cast a 2nd lvl spell to increase bolt dmg from 3-18 to 3-30. Plus, it seems to be right in the spirit of the spells--it makes it a real storm, it's visually impressive, etc. Was there some problem?
Drachasor 06-24-05, 02:01 PM	I agree with everyone else, especially since cloudburst can be dispelled, can it not? -Drachasor
Zherog 06-24-05, 04:04 PM	I don't have Complete Divine around, so I can't look at the exact text, but I really don't see a problem in this synergy. You're taking up two spell slots to do so - that seems OK to me. Especially since call lightning has a 1 round casting time.
RaspK FOG 06-24-05, 05:38 PM	The combination is completely viable as far as I can see, especially so since the spell's area is a 100-foot radius emanation...
exploding_brain 06-24-05, 08:56 PM	Glad (and slightly surprised) to hear a unanimous response in favor The primary issue that had me worried was the Control Weather spell. As a 7th level spell, it's the only obvious spell in the PHB that lets a Druid create stormy conditions for Call Lightning or Call Lightning Storm. It seemed a little odd that a 2nd level spell could accomplish the same thing, but I'm now convinced that it's just fine. So do you think there are any other spells that will give Call Lighting that little extra "jolt"? :rolleyes: For instance, would Sleet Storm work?
smrtgmp 06-25-05, 01:11 AM	Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesnt cloudburst have a casting time of 1 round as well? So you have two spells with 1 round casting times, meaning it will be very easy to disrupt the combo.