Chill touch questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Chill touch questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mrin_prophet
02-13-07, 12:14 PM I'm sure this question has been asked but I searched for a while and still couldn't find an answer. I've read and reread chill touch and I still don't quite understand it to the point I could defend my position.

The confusing part of the spell is that "You can use this melee touch attack up to one time per level."

1. I think that this means that if you have mutiple attacks, you could apply this spell for each successful attack made in the round. Correct?

2. If that's the case, at 2nd level could you make a touch attack and an off-hand touch attack (both at the appropriate negatives to hit).

3. While the duskblade doesn't get to use arcane channeling on all attacks until 13th level, could chill touch be channelled twice at 6th level (where BAB gives him two attacks) given that the spell allows for use up to one time per level.

4. The chance to do a point of STR damage is nice, but chill touch seems to pale in comparison to shocking grasp. Agree or disagree, and why.

Thanks for all your help. This one has perplexed me for a while and I want to get it right.
tarkin
02-13-07, 12:41 PM 1) Yes, if your BAB is 6/1, then you can use two/round.

2) Even at FIRST level, you can use TWF, but take the penalties. your hands count as light weapons, but you don't have the TWF feat, so it is still not great.

3) Yes the Duskblade could use it twice

4) Chill touch is a better spell if you are a Gish type (caster + fighter type)

At 5th level, Shocking Grasp maxes out at 5d6.

At 4th level, Chill Touch is 4d6 + upto 4 points of strength, and NEVER maxes out.

The disadvantage of Chill Touch is that you must spend many rounds in close combat with the bad guy to get the advantage. But if you are a Gish, you don't care.
Caliborn
02-13-07, 01:32 PM 4d6? What? Chill touch is always 1d6 and 1 possible point of strength damage. Were you referring to multiple attacks with it or something?

Also Chill Touch is an excellent spell for Rogues to grab a wand of since you can sneak attack with touch spells that do damage; best used when the wand has an inflated caster level.
mrin_prophet
02-13-07, 01:40 PM 1. Thanks.
2. But, the rules state you only make one touch per level. Given that you were 1st level, doesn't it stand to reason that you can only make one touch attack.
3. Agreed.
4. Given your response to #1, can you please elaborate on the ability to do 4d6 + 4STR at fourth level. If you only have one attack per round, then you should only be able to do 1d6 +1STR per round. The spell doesn't say you do 1d6/level with a cap like shocking grasp or burning hands does. It says each touch (attack) does 1d6. With an instanteous duration, the spell would discharge after the round, in which you could only attack once.
Thanks!
tarkin
02-13-07, 02:26 PM 4d6 was the total extra damage added by the Chill Touch spell, cast by a 4th level caster.

1. You are welcome.
2. You make one touch attack THAT ROUND. The rest get made in later rounds. I.E. The spell has a duration, despite the words "Instant". They derive this fromt he ability to "hold a charge", but it is a poorly worded spell. Get used to WoTC rules being poorly worded.
3. Yes
4. The spell is not really an instant spell. The effect of each attack is instant, but the spell lasts on you for several rounds.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mrin_prophet 02-13-07, 12:14 PM	I'm sure this question has been asked but I searched for a while and still couldn't find an answer. I've read and reread chill touch and I still don't quite understand it to the point I could defend my position. The confusing part of the spell is that "You can use this melee touch attack up to one time per level." 1. I think that this means that if you have mutiple attacks, you could apply this spell for each successful attack made in the round. Correct? 2. If that's the case, at 2nd level could you make a touch attack and an off-hand touch attack (both at the appropriate negatives to hit). 3. While the duskblade doesn't get to use arcane channeling on all attacks until 13th level, could chill touch be channelled twice at 6th level (where BAB gives him two attacks) given that the spell allows for use up to one time per level. 4. The chance to do a point of STR damage is nice, but chill touch seems to pale in comparison to shocking grasp. Agree or disagree, and why. Thanks for all your help. This one has perplexed me for a while and I want to get it right.
tarkin 02-13-07, 12:41 PM	1) Yes, if your BAB is 6/1, then you can use two/round. 2) Even at FIRST level, you can use TWF, but take the penalties. your hands count as light weapons, but you don't have the TWF feat, so it is still not great. 3) Yes the Duskblade could use it twice 4) Chill touch is a better spell if you are a Gish type (caster + fighter type) At 5th level, Shocking Grasp maxes out at 5d6. At 4th level, Chill Touch is 4d6 + upto 4 points of strength, and NEVER maxes out. The disadvantage of Chill Touch is that you must spend many rounds in close combat with the bad guy to get the advantage. But if you are a Gish, you don't care.
Caliborn 02-13-07, 01:32 PM	4d6? What? Chill touch is always 1d6 and 1 possible point of strength damage. Were you referring to multiple attacks with it or something? Also Chill Touch is an excellent spell for Rogues to grab a wand of since you can sneak attack with touch spells that do damage; best used when the wand has an inflated caster level.
mrin_prophet 02-13-07, 01:40 PM	1. Thanks. 2. But, the rules state you only make one touch per level. Given that you were 1st level, doesn't it stand to reason that you can only make one touch attack. 3. Agreed. 4. Given your response to #1, can you please elaborate on the ability to do 4d6 + 4STR at fourth level. If you only have one attack per round, then you should only be able to do 1d6 +1STR per round. The spell doesn't say you do 1d6/level with a cap like shocking grasp or burning hands does. It says each touch (attack) does 1d6. With an instanteous duration, the spell would discharge after the round, in which you could only attack once. Thanks!
tarkin 02-13-07, 02:26 PM	4d6 was the total extra damage added by the Chill Touch spell, cast by a 4th level caster. 1. You are welcome. 2. You make one touch attack THAT ROUND. The rest get made in later rounds. I.E. The spell has a duration, despite the words "Instant". They derive this fromt he ability to "hold a charge", but it is a poorly worded spell. Get used to WoTC rules being poorly worded. 3. Yes 4. The spell is not really an instant spell. The effect of each attack is instant, but the spell lasts on you for several rounds.