[BoEM1] Freezing Claw spell: The best spell ever or just plain broken?

[Iron_Chef]

Source: Monte Cook's Book of Eldritch Might 1

Freezing Claw
Conjuration [Cold]
Level: Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./level)
Effect: A small claw of ice
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Spell Resistance: Yes

You create a 2 ft. diameter icew-blue claw that floats in the air. You direct it to move anywhere within range, making one ranged touch attack each round with your attack bonus. Those touched by the claw suffer 3d6 points of cold damage and must make a Fortitude save. Failing the save freezes the victim solid. Frozen creatures remain alive but cannot take actions. They stay frozen until they suffer 20 points of fire damage, after which point they are free (but sustain the 20 points of fire damage). If the claw suffers 10 points of fire damage, the spell ends (the claw has an AC of 12).

Okay, is it just me or this spell hideously vague as to its possible repercussions? Freezing Claw has the potential to freeze a target creature solid, and they remain frozen until they take 20hp of fire damage, so what happens if they never take fire damage? They're an ice sculpture forever?

Can you keep damaging them (with non-fire damage) after they are frozen so they can't fight back and just die like wimps?

Is this spell broken, or just poorly described as to its possible ramifications should a target be frozen solid?

I have an 11th level wiz/conjurer who would force a target to make a Fort save @ DC 28 with this spell, making it pretty much an instant death sentence if they blow their save.
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Searching for an answer at http://www.montecook.com turned up the following clarifications from Monte himself:

1) The claw, if not directed otherwise, continues attacking the original target of the spell for its duration, and

2) the only way for the frozen creature to escape without taking 20 points of fire damage is to "thaw out", but this is based on the surrounding environment/temperature and is not explained.

I can't get ezboards to work so I can't post on monte's site. Any help would be appreciated.
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PS: We already had to house rule Monte's "Bolt Of Conjuring" 3rd level Sor/Wiz spell from BoEM1, because it did 1d4 damage/level (10d4 max) with no save and no spell resistance while simulataneously attacking the target with a creature from the summon monster I list. We changed it to allow a Reflex save for half and the target got to use its spell resistance vs. the bolt, but the summoned monster still appeared and attacked even if the creature took no damage due to its SR.

 

[rkanodia]

I have no idea what the deal with the frozen creatures is.

Personally, I would rule it 'definitely broken' if not for the extreme vulnerability of the claw itself. Considering that, I'd call it 'situationally broken' - against foes that, for whatever reason, don't have access to torches or fire magic, it's supreme ownage. Against foes that do, you'll be lucky if if manages to survive into the next round.

 

[Victim]

It doesn't seem that bad. Look at Poly Other. Ice Claw does pretty much the same thing, inflicts relatively trivial amounts of damage, and can affect additional targets over several rounds. Of course, it also requires a touch attack and can be killed - as well as being level 6.

 

[Darklone]

It should at least state that you don't get frozen if you have enough cold resistance to neglect the damage

Fort save and nearly instant death at lvl6... sounds ok to me. Even with several rounds to attack several enemies. Might be bad against enemies with no fire or intelligence...

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'll see your Freezing Claw and raise you a Fanfare...

-Hyp.

 

[kreynolds]

...neglect the damage...

I guess even damage needs a little TLC every now and again.

 

[Iron_Chef]

My main questions are:

1) Whether or not you can continue to damage a frozen opponent (other than through fire damage, which eventually unfreezes them). My guess is "you can't damage frozen targets except through fire, as they are encased in impenetrable ice."

2) How long does it take to unthaw under various external temperatures/environmental conditions? My guess is 1 minute/level in the desert (daylight), to 1 hour/level under normal temperate conditions, to probably never if used up in the arctic/mountains.

 

[IanB]

A simple ruling, I think, would be that the freezing ends after 1/rd per level of the caster have gone by, just apply the claw duration to the freezing as well.

 

[Iron_Chef]

Also can a frozen creature be picked up and transported?

 

[DiFier]

Also can a frozen creature be picked up and transported?

Yes but don't lick them.