Why is Ice Storm a higher level spell than Fireball?

[Otterscrubber]

It does less damage over a similar area of effect. Can someone explain to me what I am missing?

 

[Psyduck]

One thing everyone overlooks about ice storm is there's no save

 

[Angcuru]

Doesn't it have a duration? IDHMBWMRN, That would explain it if it did.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

supposedly the no save makes it that much more powerful.

It really doesn't it gains a marginal utility vs rogues and monks though if I'm relying in any way upon 5d6 I'm kissing my butt goodby. And for the vast majority of times it just does less damage.

No save things on = damage spells or disabling spells should be higher levels but on less damage spells they should be about equal.

 

[Psyduck]

One more edge that ice storm may have over fireball...

Only part of the damage is ice; the rest of the damage is bludgening. This may get past part of a creature's cold resistance, whereas fireball just works if the fire resistance is beaten.

Again...just a small edge, but it's there

 

[andargor]

One more edge that ice storm may have over fireball...

Only part of the damage is ice; the rest of the damage is bludgening. This may get past part of a creature's cold resistance, whereas fireball just works if the fire resistance is beaten.

Again...just a small edge, but it's there

But the bludgening damage may be negated by DR. Barring SR, it's a spell designed to do a little damage to a wide variety of creature types.

Of course, Gelugons may laugh at you...

Andargor

 

[Yeoman]

But the bludgening damage may be negated by DR. Barring SR, it's a spell designed to do a little damage to a wide variety of creature types.

Of course, Gelugons may laugh at you...

Andargor

I don't think damage reduction will negate that bludgeoning damage. Either way the spells utility is marginal at best.

 

[dcollins]

Historically (prior to this edition of D&D), ice storm and sleet storm were a single spell -- you got to choose at casting which effect you wanted. In 3rd Edition they separated them out, at the same level, without any compensation for the reduced functionality.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

they bumped the sleet effect down to 3rd level. Its not bad there though maybe a little weak.

I like the slowing effects like slow/sleet/solid fog.

 

[der_kluge]

Ice Storm sucks, IMHO.

Try my house-ruled version on for size instead:


Hail falls for one full round, dealing 4d6 points of bludgeoning damage and 4d6 points of cold damage to creatures in their path. Listen checks made within the ice storm’s effect take a –4 penalty, and all ground movement within its area is at half speed. At the end of the duration, the hail disappears, leaving no after effects (other than the damage inflicted).