Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jogan 05-11-06, 03:35 PM	My wizard is near approaching level 9. have two options 1) choose a next spell as cone of cold (9d6, DC 22) or 2) take empowered spell feat, and empower lightning bolt (9d6+1/2, DC 20) Empower would also make my scorching rays "meaner". Was thinking of going with the empower option, and pickin another 5th level spell first and getting cone of cold later. anyone think i'm doing the wrong thing, and got arguments why? cheers. jogan
Thomas_Gunn 05-11-06, 04:01 PM	Well, the empowered lightning bolt would do more damage, but it also has a pretty weak AoE, and lower DC. Empowered fireball would serve much the same purpose as Cone of Cold, and do more damage, at least until you hit 15th level (which may or may not ever actually happen.) Since usually the big AoE's are better for taking out large numbers of weaker enemies anyways, the lower DC may not be a big deal.
Alekzandr 05-12-06, 08:33 AM	Cone of Cold is a rather weak spell for it's level, especially when it has to compete with Cloud Kill, Teleport, Wall of Stone, Feeblemind, Wall of Force, Fabricate, and Telekinesis. Hell, I'd take Prermanency over it (but only if you stocked up on all the little buff spells in your past 8 levels). Maybe, just maybe if it's save was Fortitude and not Reflex... nah, I'd still skip it. My recomendation is to get Empower Spell and don't look back, although an alternate consideration is an Item Creation Feat. If you have access to Complete Arcane pick up a Metamagic Rod of Sculpting (10.5k (Lesser) - 21.6k (Standard)), 4 alternate ways to sculpt your spells 3 times a day, Your Fireball or Evard's Black Tentacles just smacked your opponent(s) while missing your entire party.
Spike_Fightwicky 05-12-06, 10:04 AM	My wizard is near approaching level 9. have two options 1) choose a next spell as cone of cold (9d6, DC 22) or 2) take empowered spell feat, and empower lightning bolt (9d6+1/2, DC 20) Empower would also make my scorching rays "meaner". Was thinking of going with the empower option, and pickin another 5th level spell first and getting cone of cold later. anyone think i'm doing the wrong thing, and got arguments why? cheers. jogan I say go for the Empowered Scorching Ray. At level nine you'll 2 6d6 rays of fire, which will likely hit anything you aim it at (touch attacks rock). If you hit both times, that's 12d6 damage for a 4th level spell slot.
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jogan 05-12-06, 03:58 PM	If you have access to Complete Arcane pick up a Metamagic Rod of Sculpting (10.5k (Lesser) - 21.6k (Standard)), 4 alternate ways to sculpt your spells 3 times a day, Your Fireball or Evard's Black Tentacles just smacked your opponent(s) while missing your entire party. Meh, 10 "g"'s just to save a few fellow party members??? it could be put to much better use... like a nice rug :) only joking dude; mind you, i'm in a party full of people with high ref and evasion, so HOPEFULLY if the fireball ever does hit the fan, they'll be able to get out of the way. saying that, one of the rogues did say, "you're going first, i'll be damned if i'm going to let you zap me again!" heh. heh. heh.
FriendoftheDork 05-13-06, 04:35 AM	Just to chime in, I'd not take the cone of cold. Cloudkill etc. is alot better and if you have fireball and schorching ray CoC is not necessary. Empower spell is neat, and later on maximized schorching rays are even better. 72 damage with a 5th level slot, no save yet 3 touch attacks is pretty good against creatures with low touch ac.
Alekzandr 05-13-06, 07:18 AM	Meh, 10 "g"'s just to save a few fellow party members??? it could be put to much better use... like a nice rug :) only joking dude; mind you, i'm in a party full of people with high ref and evasion, so HOPEFULLY if the fireball ever does hit the fan, they'll be able to get out of the way. saying that, one of the rogues did say, "you're going first, i'll be damned if i'm going to let you zap me again!" heh. heh. heh. More like 10k to hit more enemies. Most foes don't line up into neat little rows to be struck by a lightining bolt, and neither are they so congested as to be all downed by a fireball (Unless they are all meleeing, beating on your party's Beatstick at the same time). Though it is nice to not hit your party, I don't play nice sorcerers, the feat (or rod for your wizarding types) is purely to be more versitile to hit as many enemies as possible. An Extreme Example: 10 Enemies all spaced 10 feet appart in a 5 foot wide corridor? You'll be slapping your head if you prepared an Empowered Fireball. Turn that burst into a line and hit all your foes. Have you ever been on the recieving end of a 60' cone of Glitterdust? Really don't need See Invisibility after an assault like that... but thats just my 2 copper.
jogan 05-14-06, 09:51 AM	Have you ever been on the recieving end of a 60' cone of Glitterdust? Really don't need See Invisibility after an assault like that... but thats just my 2 copper. cool idea.