BoEM2 question

[Napftor]

So I'm finally getting to poke through this book and I've found some little wording quirks that I'm not understanding. Specifically, in the Spellsongs section, the "Sonic Dart" spell reads: "With a single note, you blast forth a cone of sonic energy from your mouth that inflicts 1d4 points of damage per three caster levels (to a maximum of 5d4)."

Alright, let's say I'm a 4th level bard using this. Now, since a 1st level caster has access to it, where does the 1d4 begin? Would my bard inflict 1d4 or 2d4 damage?

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but wouldn't it be 2d4 (1d4 at first level and then 2d4 three levels later)?

 

[Celebrim]

"...1d4 points of damage per three caster levels (to a maximum of 5d4)."

What makes you think it does 1d4 at first level?

I'm not sure want the intention was but as written, it doesn't do damage until 3rd level. Generally, fractions are rounded down in D&D unless otherwise specified. Therefore, at 1st or 2nd level it does 0d4 damage. At 3rd through 5th it does 1d4 damage. At 6th through 8th it does 2d4 damage, and so forth.

To get the result you want, and which is intuitive, it should have been written "...does 1d4 points of damage plus 1d4 points per three caster levels." or "...does 1d4 points of damage per three caster levels (rounded up)."

Of course, now that I look at it, 'Burning Hands' is written the same way and obviously with it you do 1d4 damage, so I guess I'm confused too.

'Divine Favor' has the same mechanic but specifically notes that the minimum bonus is +1. This means that it grants a +1 bonus from levels 1-5, and a +2 bonus from 6-8. If burning hands is meant to work the same way, I think it should be noted so. If Divine Favor is not an exception to a general rule, then I don't think that exception ('at least +1') should be noted.

But heh, I'm not paid to edit. Someone else makes more money than me to do that.

 

[Staffan]

I think you'll have a better chance of getting an authoritative answer by posting on Monte Cook's message boards instead. I know Monte reads some of the threads on ENWorld, but I have no idea if he reads this particular forum.

 

[Crothian]

You round done, but never to zero. So, it does 1d4 at first through fifth level. Then it does 2d4 at sixth level.

 

[CRGreathouse]

You round done, but never to zero. So, it does 1d4 at first through fifth level. Then it does 2d4 at sixth level.

One rounds down, even to zero, in all cases except weapon damage rolls and specific stated exceptions, according to the PH.

 

[Astlin]

Now, since a 1st level caster has access to it, where does the 1d4 begin?

First level. It would be silly to have a damage spell sitting on your list that was not going to do any damage for another 2 levels.

let's say I'm a 4th level bard using this... Would my bard inflict 1d4 or 2d4 damage?

2d4.

I think it would go like 1d4 at 1st and +1d4 at 3, 6, 9 and 12th.

It has to do something at 1st, when you get access to it. It needs to advance on levels divisible by the increment to fit in with just about every other ability (see feats) in the game (cause math is hard).

my 2c.

Astlin