Invisibility and Flaming Sphere

[theNater]

Ineffective? Waste of Space?

Nearly automatic 1D4+Int mod, probably against multiple foes each round is typically stronger than Scorching Burst. Same area, a lot more average damage (2.5+x > 3.5/2+x/2) since there is no to hit roll.

Of course, it's significantly less damage than doing the auto damage along with a Scorching Burst.

This does not include any initial 2D6+Int mod damage of FS.

Nor should it, as that initial damage is the wizard's standard action for that round.

Even against a solo, this is solid damage every round. Probably more than many of the other PCs do on average.

I want to check this. Wizard with 18 int is doing an average of 6.5 damage each round. Let's assume everybody else has an 18 primary, 14 secondary. Also assume that everybody hits half the time.

Cleric's got Lance of Faith, which is 1d8+4 and an attack bonus. That's an average of 4.25 each round. If the cleric gets partial credit for hits the others make that they would have missed, it may pull him up those two and one quarter points.

Fighter with Reaping Strike can do 2d6+4 on a hit, 4 on a miss. Average is 7.5 damage each round.

Paladin with Holy Strike can do 2d6+6, so he'll average 6.5 per round.

Ranger with Twin Strike gets two swings for 1d10 each, plus quarry for 1d6 if either hits. Averaging that out, we get 8.125 per round.

Rogue using Sly Flourish(1d6+6) will average between 4.75 and 10.25, depending on how often she can use sneak attack.

Warlocks can Eldritch Blast consistently, and the 1d10+4 plus 1d6 for curse averages out to 9.25.

Warlord can use Commander's Strike for 2d6+6, giving an average of 6.5.

And, of course, a wizard using Cloud of Daggers can do 1d6+6 on a hit and 2 on a miss, so that's an average of 5.75 each round.

Sure, he's at the high end, but he's not beating out strikers unless the enemy is pretty hard to hit. How hard to hit most solos are I'm not sure, but if the rogue has the thing flanked, this isn't going to cut it for the wizard.

Plus, the Wizard himself is mostly out of harms way (which means the Leader does not need to heal him, etc.).

This is a very good tactic when the Wizard is low on healing surges.

Exactly. This is a great defensive tactic for the wizard, and is entirely reasonable considering it costs 2 daily powers and a standard and minor action every round.

However, as an offensive tactic it is neither awe-inspiring nor game-breaking.

 

[Otterscrubber]

Have to agree with everyone else, rules seem to permit and it is not overpowered since he won't have these abilities for use in the other fights.

Very useful, reliable damage each round. Also, very wizard-ey if you ask me.

 

[Fanaelialae]

Also keep in mind that unless he successfully uses Stealth, enemies automatically know what square an invisible opponent occupies (as of the latest errata). It's quite far from a fool-proof defense and a bit wasteful (of dailies) if you ask me.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Ineffective? Waste of Space?

If this is the guys opening combo, yeah.

Nearly automatic 1D4+Int mod, probably against multiple foes each round is typically stronger than Scorching Burst. Same area, a lot more average damage (2.5+x > 3.5/2+x/2) since there is no to hit roll. This does not include any initial 2D6+Int mod damage of FS. Even against a solo, this is solid damage every round. Probably more than many of the other PCs do on average.

But significantly less than if he used his standard in an offensive manner. Scorching burst for lots of small foes, directing the sphere against a solo (or slowing it with ray of frost, or any number of other things).

Plus, the Wizard himself is mostly out of harms way (which means the Leader does not need to heal him, etc.).

Wizards are usually mostly out of harms way.

This is a very good tactic when the Wizard is low on healing surges.

Yeah, but that means he saved two dailies while using all his surges.