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[3.5] scorching ray?
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<blockquote data-quote="Surfal" data-source="post: 1024599" data-attributes="member: 2155"><p>The short range is a penalty; far too many times my short range spells have been, well, short <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite11" alt=":rolleyes:" title="Roll eyes :rolleyes:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":rolleyes:" /> </p><p></p><p>It can't be worth <em>that</em> much though. Getting back to comparisons...</p><p></p><p>Melf's and SR have the same chance of hitting, and both are a form of energy damage so a direct comparison between the two is simplest. Magic Missile is the baseline damage spell, so its in here too.</p><p></p><p>Level 3:</p><p> 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 11.2, Melf's 4+4=8</p><p> 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 7, Melf's 2.5+2.5=5</p><p> 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 2.8, Melf's 1+1=2</p><p> Magic Missile 7</p><p></p><p>Level 7:</p><p> 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 22.4, Melf's 4+4+4=12</p><p> 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 14, Melf's 2.5+2.5+2.5=7.5</p><p> 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 5.6, Melf's 1+1+1=3</p><p> Magic Missile 14</p><p></p><p>Level 11:</p><p> 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 33.6, Melf's 16</p><p> 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 21, Melf's 10</p><p> 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 8.4, Melf's 4</p><p> Magic Missile 17.5</p><p></p><p>Level 15:</p><p> 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 33.6, Melf's 24</p><p> 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 21, Melf's 15</p><p> 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 8.4, Melf's 6</p><p> Magic Missile 17.5</p><p></p><p>Level 19: </p><p> 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 33.6, Melf's 28</p><p> 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 21, Melf's 17.5</p><p> 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 8.4, Melf's 7</p><p> Magic Missile 17.5</p><p></p><p>So, contrary to what I had thought, SR is better than Melf's at all levels. Now, I don't suspect anyone will claim that Melf's is a great spell at 2nd level (somebody will, but just to be contradictory <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> ) Unfortunately, MM is only slightly weaker than SR, except at level 11 and above (assuming you can even use SR). So SR > MM >> Melf's, for pure damage dealing.</p><p></p><p>What about fireball?</p><p></p><p>Level 5: SR averages 11.2/7/2.8, fireball 14 assuming 40% save</p><p>Level 7: SR averages 22.4/14/5.6, fireball 19.6</p><p>Level 11+: SR 33.6/21/8.4, fireball 28</p><p></p><p>So fireball will do better except for the high level case with a good chance of hitting. Fireball also has a much better range and will affect lots of opponents. Fireball is definitely better.</p><p></p><p>Bottom line, I think its a little too good for level 2 and too weak for level 3, but I guess its not totally out of whack, considering MM hasn't been touched.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Surfal, post: 1024599, member: 2155"] The short range is a penalty; far too many times my short range spells have been, well, short :rolleyes: It can't be worth [I]that[/I] much though. Getting back to comparisons... Melf's and SR have the same chance of hitting, and both are a form of energy damage so a direct comparison between the two is simplest. Magic Missile is the baseline damage spell, so its in here too. Level 3: 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 11.2, Melf's 4+4=8 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 7, Melf's 2.5+2.5=5 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 2.8, Melf's 1+1=2 Magic Missile 7 Level 7: 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 22.4, Melf's 4+4+4=12 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 14, Melf's 2.5+2.5+2.5=7.5 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 5.6, Melf's 1+1+1=3 Magic Missile 14 Level 11: 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 33.6, Melf's 16 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 21, Melf's 10 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 8.4, Melf's 4 Magic Missile 17.5 Level 15: 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 33.6, Melf's 24 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 21, Melf's 15 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 8.4, Melf's 6 Magic Missile 17.5 Level 19: 80% chance of a hit: SR averages 33.6, Melf's 28 50% chance of a hit: SR averages 21, Melf's 17.5 20% chance of a hit: SR averages 8.4, Melf's 7 Magic Missile 17.5 So, contrary to what I had thought, SR is better than Melf's at all levels. Now, I don't suspect anyone will claim that Melf's is a great spell at 2nd level (somebody will, but just to be contradictory ;) ) Unfortunately, MM is only slightly weaker than SR, except at level 11 and above (assuming you can even use SR). So SR > MM >> Melf's, for pure damage dealing. What about fireball? Level 5: SR averages 11.2/7/2.8, fireball 14 assuming 40% save Level 7: SR averages 22.4/14/5.6, fireball 19.6 Level 11+: SR 33.6/21/8.4, fireball 28 So fireball will do better except for the high level case with a good chance of hitting. Fireball also has a much better range and will affect lots of opponents. Fireball is definitely better. Bottom line, I think its a little too good for level 2 and too weak for level 3, but I guess its not totally out of whack, considering MM hasn't been touched. [/QUOTE]
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