smbakeresq
Explorer
I have a Str Based Dragonborn Valor Bard, I just went Sorcerer first then Valor Bard rest of way. The damage output isn’t a problem.
Put me in the "If you want more damage, pick a different spell" group. D&D combat is fairly abstract, and I've heard a lot of "player creativity" over the years that was just gaming the system. I remember the arguments in the AD&D days: "Of course a wall of force is and invisible, infinitely sharp edge when approached from the side"; or "yes, I cast create water in his lungs, what's the problem." There's player creativity and then there's just arguing fantasy physics and process sim. It can be a fine line.
Targeting lungs with Create or Destroy Water is explicitly disallowed. The spell requires an open container (per the spell) and line of sight (general spells).
Aren't arrowheads already metal?
Seems fair.
I'd certainly allow it at my table - teamwork is always encouraged.
As for concerns that this makes heat metal too powerful - It requires a costly component (essentially what the arrow is), 2 people working in tandem, and imposes a to-hit roll where one didn't exist before - I think that's a steep enough cost!
I think the 10X cost for each arrow may be a bit too much:
-The chance of the combo working isn't THAT high
-and if the combo does work the DM is very likely to rule the arrow has no chance of recovery (it's a pile of molten slag by the end of the spell).
I'd go with 3-5 times the cost.
I might allow it, but would probably require that the spell be cast on the arrowhead before it is loosed: if its embedded in the target then the caster won't have LOS to it.
Or maybe suggest the player look into other, existing equipment such as bear traps, manacles, etc.