Energy Ray or Crystal Shard??? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Energy Ray or Crystal Shard???

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
dumah87
Apr 08, 2008 14:06:37 so...that's the question!
which is the best damage dealer power between these 2?
Is better an Energy damage dealer (even with the various energy resistance that many high level monsters have, i.e. devils,demons,angels,Spellcasters,dragon ) or a force damage dealer (even with the various DR that quiet all-monsters have) ???

pliz solve my problem ! ! !
thank you all!
#2
phaedrusxy
Apr 08, 2008 14:27:00 If your DM says Damage Reduction protects via Crystal Shard, definitely take Energy Ray. You can pick whatever energy type the monster isn't resistant to. Make sure you have decent knowledge skills so you don't have to metagame it.

The only thing that indicates that DR should apply vs. Crystal Shard is CPsi, which is almost universally reviled as a steaming pile of crap. The only way it would be fair to use this rule is if the DM also houseruled that DR applies vs. other creation effects like Evard's Black Tentacles, etc.
#3
dumah87
Apr 08, 2008 14:43:23
CPsi, which is almost universally reviled as a steaming pile of crap. .

you're ABSOLUTELY right...

another point is that usually a big monster has 15-20 of energy resistance end various energy immunities...meanwhile "only" 15 poiny of DR (I'm tlakin about monster like Balor, Pit Fiend, Solar, Night Shadows), are you sure, In your Opinion ,that at HIGH level is possible to find someone without energy resistance/immunity ?
#4
phaedrusxy
Apr 08, 2008 16:39:17 They don't have to have NO energy resistance/immunity. They only have to be missing/weak to a single one. There are few creatures that don't have at least one energy type that they have resistance 5 or less to, IMO. With a decent knowledge check, you should be able to figure out which energy type is best to use against them.

Now, if everything runs around with Energy Adaptation running, or Rings of Universal Elemental Resistance, or at least something to cover up their energy weakness... then you might consider Crystal Shard. I'd just try to forget about direct damage via spells at that point, though...
#5
piggyk
Apr 08, 2008 16:45:49 Eh, Crystal Shard not being bothered by SR/PR makes it the clear winner to me, even if your DM doesn't think it overcomes DR.

As Phaedus pointed out, if you're dealing with an opponent that has DR high enough to make Crystal Shard useless, then you might want to consider something other than straight up damage.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 dumah87 Apr 08, 2008 14:06:37	so...that's the question! which is the best damage dealer power between these 2? Is better an Energy damage dealer (even with the various energy resistance that many high level monsters have, i.e. devils,demons,angels,Spellcasters,dragon ) or a force damage dealer (even with the various DR that quiet all-monsters have) ??? pliz solve my problem ! ! ! thank you all!
#2 phaedrusxy Apr 08, 2008 14:27:00	If your DM says Damage Reduction protects via Crystal Shard, definitely take Energy Ray. You can pick whatever energy type the monster isn't resistant to. Make sure you have decent knowledge skills so you don't have to metagame it. The only thing that indicates that DR should apply vs. Crystal Shard is CPsi, which is almost universally reviled as a steaming pile of crap. The only way it would be fair to use this rule is if the DM also houseruled that DR applies vs. other creation effects like Evard's Black Tentacles, etc.
#3 dumah87 Apr 08, 2008 14:43:23	CPsi, which is almost universally reviled as a steaming pile of crap. . you're ABSOLUTELY right... another point is that usually a big monster has 15-20 of energy resistance end various energy immunities...meanwhile "only" 15 poiny of DR (I'm tlakin about monster like Balor, Pit Fiend, Solar, Night Shadows), are you sure, In your Opinion ,that at HIGH level is possible to find someone without energy resistance/immunity ?
#4 phaedrusxy Apr 08, 2008 16:39:17	They don't have to have NO energy resistance/immunity. They only have to be missing/weak to a single one. There are few creatures that don't have at least one energy type that they have resistance 5 or less to, IMO. With a decent knowledge check, you should be able to figure out which energy type is best to use against them. Now, if everything runs around with Energy Adaptation running, or Rings of Universal Elemental Resistance, or at least something to cover up their energy weakness... then you might consider Crystal Shard. I'd just try to forget about direct damage via spells at that point, though...
#5 piggyk Apr 08, 2008 16:45:49	Eh, Crystal Shard not being bothered by SR/PR makes it the clear winner to me, even if your DM doesn't think it overcomes DR. As Phaedus pointed out, if you're dealing with an opponent that has DR high enough to make Crystal Shard useless, then you might want to consider something other than straight up damage.