D&D 5E Magic Missile. Better as a cantrip?

[Horwath]

I would do it as:

Magic arrow;
cantrip, casting time 1 Action,
range 100ft,
1d6 force damage to one target that you can see and not behind total cover.
at lvl5 2d6, lvl11 3d6, lvl17 4d6,

only one target at all levels but more damage.

 

[Henry]

I see boosted magic missile at least once per two or three sessions - resistances rarely affect it unlike an element-based spell, and even magic resistance trait doesn't affect it.

 

[MechaPilot]

After some feedback, I now have an updated version of the magic missile cantrip. Original post below for easy comparison. Basically though, I've dropped the initial number of missiles down to one and updated the wording to be similar to eldritch blast since I like to try to keep wording consistent with other 5e spells.

Magic Missile (sorcerer, wizard)
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
You create a glowing dart of magical force which hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range. The dart deals 1d4+1 force damage to its target.
The spell creates an additional missile when you reach higher levels: two missiles at 5th level, three missiles at 11th level, and four missiles at 17th level. The darts all strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several.

That looks fine to me. If a player asked me about that, I'd allow it at my table.

 

[bid]

he wouldnt get 2nd missile until 5th lvl. At that point acid splash is doing 2d6 at 2 people.

Irrelevant. Count again:
- acid splash: 4d6 * .5 = 7 DPR (DC14 vs Dex16)
- magic missile (2): 2d4+2 = 7 DPR

Character level has no impact, whether at level 3, 5, 11 or 17 it's always the same DPR as acid splash, except:
- you don't need 2 targets within 5 feet of each other,
- you're not limited to 60 feet,
- force is not resisted as often as acid.

 

[cooperjer]

After some feedback, I now have an updated version of the magic missile cantrip. Original post below for easy comparison. Basically though, I've dropped the initial number of missiles down to one and updated the wording to be similar to eldritch blast since I like to try to keep wording consistent with other 5e spells.

Magic Missile (sorcerer, wizard)
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
You create a glowing dart of magical force which hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range. The dart deals 1d4+1 force damage to its target.
The spell creates an additional missile when you reach higher levels: two missiles at 5th level, three missiles at 11th level, and four missiles at 17th level. The darts all strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several.

I like this version. Let us know what your players think and how you feel about it after it has been used a few times in your game.

 

[Yunru]

Irrelevant. Count again:
- acid splash: 4d6 * .5 = 7 DPR (DC14 vs Dex16)
- magic missile (2): 2d4+2 = 7 DPR

Character level has no impact, whether at level 3, 5, 11 or 17 it's always the same DPR as acid splash, except:
- you don't need 2 targets within 5 feet of each other,
- you're not limited to 60 feet,
- force is not resisted as often as acid.

The problem with that argument being Acid Splash... isn't good.

 

[bid]

The problem with that argument being Acid Splash... isn't good.

Fine. Lets try EB then:
- EB: 2d10 * .60 = 6.6 (Int16 vs AC14)
- magic missile (2): 2d4+2 = 7 DPR

Ok, that's close enough. A little too good against high AC, but hey.

 

[Remathilis]

Imagine, for a minute, WotC made a feat that said this.

Backstabber
You are a master of a knife in the back when your opponent is distracted. You gain the following features.
* You are proficient in dagger, if you weren't already.
* Once per round on your turn, you can use your action to attack an opponent next to you with a dagger. You deal 1d4 piercing damage. If you have the extra attack feature, you deal an extra 1d4 for every attack the extra attack feature would give you.

Would you allow a fighter or a rogue to do guaranteed damage each round with without needing an attack roll?

 

[Yunru]

Imagine, for a minute, WotC made a feat that said this.

Backstabber
You are a master of a knife in the back when your opponent is distracted. You gain the following features.
* You are proficient in dagger, if you weren't already.
* Once per round on your turn, you can use your action to attack an opponent next to you with a dagger. You deal 1d4 piercing damage. If you have the extra attack feature, you deal an extra 1d4 for every attack the extra attack feature would give you.

Would you allow a fighter or a rogue to do guaranteed damage each round with without needing an attack roll?

Considering I'm just going to slip away with this most definitely not in a bag...

 

[cbwjm]

I like this version. Let us know what your players think and how you feel about it after it has been used a few times in your game.

Will do, I'll do some testing in the next session. I think it is competitive in that, while automatic hit, people will still want to use those other cantrips. Might miss with them, but if you hit, there is that chance for more damage or the power to add an additional effect, ray of frost for instance, that slow has prevented a tpk.

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