Energy Sub: Electricity or Searing Spell? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Energy Sub: Electricity or Searing Spell? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jere_RB
03-02-07, 09:31 PM Working on a Battle Sorcerer/Abjurant Champion character atm that is primarily using Scorching Ray as his main offensive damage spell. I'm currently using the Power Attack/Wraithstrike/Arcane Strike combo until I reach higher levels, then plan on enough Spellsword levels to start tossing in highly metamagiced Scorching Rays through my weapons. My metamagic feats for that so far are Empower Spell, Sudden Empower, and Arcane Thesis (Scorching Ray). I'm later taking Twin Spell and the Spell Penetration tree.

Thing is, I have room for either Energy Substitution: Electricity or Searing Ray. I can't decide which to use. Energy Sub doesn't use a higher spell slot, but doesn't change my situation against demons (immune to both fire and elec). Arcane Thesis, without errata, makes Searing Spell clearly better since I still do damage even if they are fire immune. But, I know there is errata (can't find it, though), so I don't exactly want to use it that way if it's not correct. Flavor-wise, though, the idea of white-hot Scorching Rays does fit the character better.

So, Energy Sub or Searing Spell? Which would you recommend?
FrostHammer
03-02-07, 09:59 PM Take one level of Archmage. Now you can change your Scorching Ray to SONIC energy. Problem solved,and you have a spare feat.
Bopple
03-02-07, 10:14 PM Archmage's Mastery of Energy is one good ability.
But I wouldn't call burning two Spell Focus and Skill Focus getting a spare feat.

If you want to take Energy Substitution, you'd better choose Acid.
FrostHammer
03-02-07, 10:50 PM I don't believe Archmage requires those things...
Bopple
03-02-07, 10:52 PM Yes, it does.
FrostHammer
03-03-07, 12:01 AM Oops. I must've missed that. Well that sucks.
Moribund
03-03-07, 12:24 AM Uhh, demons aren't immune to fire. Just resistant.

You probably want Searing Spell, even if it's costing you a spell level because to the FAQ ruling it should be worth it when it is necessary. Either that or use the hailstones spell from SpC to mix in some cold damage.

You might consider the Residual Magic feat from Complete Mage to keep metamagic costs down (and get an extra use outta your Sudden Metamagic feat)
Jere_RB
03-03-07, 12:24 AM hmmm...yes, I don't have three feats to play with. Not an option. Also, I'm getting d8 and d10 hit dice thanks to battle sorc and abj champ. D4s don't sit too well with me.

Actually, had an epiphany: take energy sub: elec right now, retrain to searing spell after I have enough spellsword levels. There, problem solved.

Thanks folks!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jere_RB 03-02-07, 09:31 PM	Working on a Battle Sorcerer/Abjurant Champion character atm that is primarily using Scorching Ray as his main offensive damage spell. I'm currently using the Power Attack/Wraithstrike/Arcane Strike combo until I reach higher levels, then plan on enough Spellsword levels to start tossing in highly metamagiced Scorching Rays through my weapons. My metamagic feats for that so far are Empower Spell, Sudden Empower, and Arcane Thesis (Scorching Ray). I'm later taking Twin Spell and the Spell Penetration tree. Thing is, I have room for either Energy Substitution: Electricity or Searing Ray. I can't decide which to use. Energy Sub doesn't use a higher spell slot, but doesn't change my situation against demons (immune to both fire and elec). Arcane Thesis, without errata, makes Searing Spell clearly better since I still do damage even if they are fire immune. But, I know there is errata (can't find it, though), so I don't exactly want to use it that way if it's not correct. Flavor-wise, though, the idea of white-hot Scorching Rays does fit the character better. So, Energy Sub or Searing Spell? Which would you recommend?
FrostHammer 03-02-07, 09:59 PM	Take one level of Archmage. Now you can change your Scorching Ray to SONIC energy. Problem solved,and you have a spare feat.
Bopple 03-02-07, 10:14 PM	Archmage's Mastery of Energy is one good ability. But I wouldn't call burning two Spell Focus and Skill Focus getting a spare feat. If you want to take Energy Substitution, you'd better choose Acid.
FrostHammer 03-02-07, 10:50 PM	I don't believe Archmage requires those things...
Bopple 03-02-07, 10:52 PM	Yes, it does.
FrostHammer 03-03-07, 12:01 AM	Oops. I must've missed that. Well that sucks.
Moribund 03-03-07, 12:24 AM	Uhh, demons aren't immune to fire. Just resistant. You probably want Searing Spell, even if it's costing you a spell level because to the FAQ ruling it should be worth it when it is necessary. Either that or use the hailstones spell from SpC to mix in some cold damage. You might consider the Residual Magic feat from Complete Mage to keep metamagic costs down (and get an extra use outta your Sudden Metamagic feat)
Jere_RB 03-03-07, 12:24 AM	hmmm...yes, I don't have three feats to play with. Not an option. Also, I'm getting d8 and d10 hit dice thanks to battle sorc and abj champ. D4s don't sit too well with me. Actually, had an epiphany: take energy sub: elec right now, retrain to searing spell after I have enough spellsword levels. There, problem solved. Thanks folks!