Why is Flamestrike 5th level

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

xirr2000

Oct 25, 2014 7:58:55

It does the same damage as fireball, but in a 10ft radius as opposed to fireball's 20ft radius.  I suppose it's a column but the scenarios in which this would be advantageious are few.  Why is Flamestrike 2 levels higher than fireball?  It's seems a waste of a mid level spell slot.  Wondering what I'm missing.

#2

Dragoloth

Oct 25, 2014 8:17:46

Fireball is a sorcerer and wizard spell, while flamestrike is a cleric spell. Clerics have more hp, better defences, and the ability to heal. I believe it is for the sake of balance. 

#3

Varisthenes

Oct 25, 2014 8:24:48

Clerics and Druids don't nuke as well as Wizards and Sorcerers.  Wizards and Sorcerers can't heal or bring people back from the dead.

#4

Timborama

Oct 25, 2014 9:32:21

What you're missing, as others implied, is that Flamestrike is not a Sorcerer/Wizard spell. And that Fireball is not (normally) a Druid/Cleric.

 

Different balances for different classes. Spells are balanced against each other, sure, but usually ALSO within the classes they are in!

#5

AaronOfBarbaria

Oct 25, 2014 10:57:55

Also, when dealing with creatures that have resistance or immunity to damage of certain types, 4d6 of two different types is not the same as 8d6 of one type.

#6

Judou_Hanabi

Oct 26, 2014 14:32:14

Fiend warlocks can cast flamestrike; Light clerics can cast fireball. If a creature if fire resistant/immue, you wouldn't cast either one, since flamestrike's 4d6 radiant damage is pathetic at a 5th level slot.

(Reply to #6)

Timborama

Judou_Hanabi wrote:
#8

mellored

Oct 27, 2014 6:42:04

Sometimes a smaller bust is better too.

 

Like when your allies are surrounding a giant.

#9

danyc

Oct 27, 2014 9:23:48

It's definitely a longstanding traditional design element differentiating divine and arcane casters. 

 

The fact that the Light Cleric gets around this restriction (as do Mountain Druids for lightning bolt) is a big part of why those class features are meaningful: domains/terrains usually get you access to a couple spells you wouldn't be able to cast normally.

(Reply to #2)

Dyndrilliac

Dragoloth wrote:
(Reply to #10)

AaronOfBarbaria

Dyndrilliac wrote:
#12

mellored

Nov 01, 2014 19:04:44 		IMO flame strike should be ally friendly. There are a few spells that could be adjusted.
#13

Elfcrusher

Nov 02, 2014 7:50:52

AaronOfBarbaria wrote: