Astral Fire

[Aldarc]

What's the reason for the requirement of a 13 Dex for Astral Fire in addition to the 13 Cha? This seems like the feat that is suited for the astral-magically channeling cleric with radiant powers, but the 13 Dex seems so completely out of place.

 

[Rystil Arden]

What's the reason for the requirement of a 13 Dex for Astral Fire in addition to the 13 Cha? This seems like the feat that is suited for the astral-magically channeling cleric with radiant powers, but the 13 Dex seems so completely out of place.

The stat choices seem a bit random--check out Dark Fury, which uses Wis and Con, and evil clerics are allowed to sub in necrotic damage for radiant, so Clerics can still take Dark Fury. Thus, it can't be the case that Astral Fire is trying to force any Cleric who wants energy damage to boost up an otherwise-dump-stat.

All the +Energy feats seem to have a randomly-selected assortment of 13 (physical stat that isn't Str) and 13 (any mental stat, except don't do Cha and Con as the two stats because both are casting stats for Warlocks).

 

[ZetaStriker]

All the "+1 damage with X energy type" feats are pretty lame... they could have EASILY just made one feat that lets you choose the energy type(s). I mean, they don't stack, and the requirements are ridiculous, so the only real function of having so many is to say, "Hey, look at all the feats we've got in our PHB!"

I wish they'd taken 'em out and added more Racial feats. >_<

 

[ForbidenMaster]

A thought that just occurred to me: Generally most attacks are X[W]+MOD. In some cases, that damage is of a certain type, for instants radiant. Also, odds are that the MOD you use for damage is going to be your highest stat. Now if when you created your character you didnt follow the implied rule of not getting an 18 and get a 16 instead, and therefor most likely dont qualify for the feat, you are already getting a +1 damage anyways. So if you follow the implied ability score standard of having relatively spread out stats, you will most likely qualify for the feat and will then get the +1. However if you dont, then odds are you are already getting a +1 from your MOD. Now obviously there are exception, yada yada yada, but thats what I think.

 

[Nifft]

What's the reason for the requirement of a 13 Dex for Astral Fire in addition to the 13 Cha? This seems like the feat that is suited for the astral-magically channeling cleric with radiant powers, but the 13 Dex seems so completely out of place.

1/ To screw over non-Elves;
2/ To ensure that Wizards have a 13 Charisma, in preparation for Spell Focus at 11th level.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Aldarc]

1/ To screw over non-Elves;
2/ To ensure that Wizards have a 13 Charisma, in preparation for Spell Focus at 11th level.

Cheers, -- N

I can buy the 13 Charisma, as that would make it potentially useful for Clerics, Warlocks, and Wizards, who all have some spells with the fire descriptor, but for the cleric who also has the radiant descriptor, that 13 Dex makes no sense. What does Dexterity have to do with Astral Fire? Even if Constitution + the Charisma would make it ideal for Warlocks, at least it would be far more feasible for Wizards and Clerics and logical as a concept.

 

[Rystil Arden]

I can buy the 13 Charisma, as that would make it potentially useful for Clerics, Warlocks, and Wizards, who all have some spells with the fire descriptor, but for the cleric who also has the radiant descriptor, that 13 Dex makes no sense. What does Dexterity have to do with Astral Fire? Even if Constitution + the Charisma would make it ideal for Warlocks, at least it would be far more feasible for Wizards and Clerics and logical as a concept.

Heck, I'd have also liked to see Wis and Cha. It's doable for Orb Wizards, Clerics, Paladins, etc. You pay for the privilege, but at least you don't have to put up what is otherwise your dump stat. Only the Warlock would then have to make an undue reach, but not much worse than forcing the Dex on her anyway.

 

[Aldarc]

I'm not usually one to complain about this sort of thing, but when just about all other feats that exist to improve spells seem to have the Wizard prerequisite, there is simply not much out there for non-Wizard casters.

 

[Rystil Arden]

I'm not usually one to complain about this sort of thing, but when just about all other feats that exist to improve spells seem to have the Wizard prerequisite, there is simply not much out there for non-Wizard casters.

This is true. I used a Wisdom-based Cleric as a case-study for a rather long and interesting thread about how few feat choices exist out there for non-Martials, and the Astral Fire thing came up. My best suggestion is to just make a "Radiant Fury" version of Dark Fury that boosts Radiant and Psychic with a Wis and Con prereq. Since Evil Clerics could take that feat anyway, it won't affect the balance of classes the way that some of the other choices you could make to adjust these feats might.

 

[Cadfan]

Part of it is probably just the desire to make every stat do something. Got a cleric with a dex bonus? Congrats! You can use Astral Fire! There's no real balance reason why it has to be dex, there's at least a pseudo-logical explanation for why its dex (magical lasers need aiming, pew! pew!), it makes as much sense as tripping requiring Int in 3e, and it rewards you for a slightly nonstandard build.

Got a different non standard build? No balance reason not to change the prereqs. Knock yourself out.