Case Study: Wraithstrike

[Rassilon]

Let's consider Wraithstrike from C.Arc. It is a swift action to cast which for 1 round allows you to make melee attacks as touch attacks.

It is also one of two things specifically named to ban from C.Arc in a recent thread.

Why ?

Now I know what the spell does, I have used is as a character, and I think in that campaign maybe it should be banned. But I also think that in my campaign it would be fine - so the power of the spell seems completely dependent on a given campaign - but then almost anything can be.

What are the arguments for and against banning the spell ? Is there something I have missed (perhaps I place different weight on certain considerations) ?

Rassilon.

 

[shilsen]

I'm presuming the problem that most people have with it is that touch attacks are far easier to hit with than with normal attacks, and the gulf between the two widens as levels increase (since normal AC is much easier to improve than touch AC). A spell like Wraithstrike not only lets one hit far more often, but do substantially more damage (when used with Power Attack).

It is somewhat balanced in being a Personal range spell, so you can't get it in potion form or cast it on others, but even so, a fighter-type with some wizard (or assassin) levels and the ability to cast it will drastically improve his effectiveness with that spell, arguably more so than with any core 2nd lvl spell.

I would guess that is the problem many people have with it.

 

[Testament]

The problem with it is simple: Gish craziness. Any fighter mage will go out of their way to get this spell, since it is so good. Gish with a greatsword, up close in the second round does this: Free action release one hand, swift action cast Wraithstrike, free action resume grip, FULL POWER ATTACK!

At the levels where a Fighter-Mage is remotely viable, touch ACs rarely breach the 15 mark. Heck, they have enough of a problem cracking 10 for a lot of opponents.

Now lets also consider that a Dragon can learn it. Or a Polymorphed mage. And Arcane Hierophants (shudder).

OK, so the Hierophant is the problem in that case.

 

[Rassilon]

This is much as I thought: I play a 19th level Swashbuckler/Wizard in a campaign, I would not argue with the DM if he were to ban it. I mean really, my guy duel wields, and doesn't have the most badass BA or Str - he will use about half his spell slots per day on this spell.

On the otherhand, in the campaign I DM, of the 3 Fighter/Skimisher charcters, none is ever likely to gain access to the spell, and the pure wizard would be MUCH better off using Scorching Ray, let alone Web or Glitterdust.

Is this the problem with the spell - that it is so subjective ?


Rassilon.

 

[Evilhalfling]

I suggested that the gish in my party take it, but she rarely makes power characters. She decided to go full caster instead of losing another caster level to take eldrich knight. It sees use once or twice a game, hardly gamebreaking. I do have a lot of dragons, and I don't think any of them will learn it.

In many cases it functions as a half strength quickened truestrike. (ie ~+10 to attack roll.)
If the spell was 3rd level, would it still see use? .. yes but far less often. Elder dragons, very powerful gish, would still use it occasionally.

If it was 4th level would it still be used ?

 

[Jarrod]

It's actually a lot better than a half-Truestrike. Mainly because it acts for the entire round

There are a lot of spells in C.Adv. that make me twitchy. Not for a primary mage, but for the gish, or the rogue with UMD, or anyone else who can get access to the spell. Wraithstrike (full power attack for 1 round), Grave Strike, Golem Strike, ...

For 750GP you can sneak attack undead for 50 rounds. Sucks to be that lich over there.
For another 750GP constructs feel the pain.
6000GP and that fighter in full plate gets dinked to death.

Don't take me wrong, I love playing rogues. It's mainly because it's so _cheap_. Don't think of it as someone having to memorize the spell (since even 1st level slots are limited), but someone packing a wand.

 

[Pinotage]

It's actually a lot better than a half-Truestrike. Mainly because it acts for the entire round

There are a lot of spells in C.Adv. that make me twitchy. Not for a primary mage, but for the gish, or the rogue with UMD, or anyone else who can get access to the spell. Wraithstrike (full power attack for 1 round), Grave Strike, Golem Strike, ...

For 750GP you can sneak attack undead for 50 rounds. Sucks to be that lich over there.
For another 750GP constructs feel the pain.
6000GP and that fighter in full plate gets dinked to death.

Don't take me wrong, I love playing rogues. It's mainly because it's so _cheap_. Don't think of it as someone having to memorize the spell (since even 1st level slots are limited), but someone packing a wand.

Sure, it acts for the entire round, but a swift action placed in a wand still takes a standard action to activate so it's basically wasted. It's only useful as a cast spell, which reduces its power somewhat but it's still crazy as is. Perhaps if it were one attack similar to smite or the like it would've been better.

Pinotage

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Assassin. Two weapons. Wraith strike. Sneak Attack. Fzoul wasn't happy

 

[Thanee]

My sorceress has learned it, but not used it once so far. Too bad, she's too weak for Power Attack.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Mistwell]

The fear I've seen most often expressed is that someone will go and use Persistant Spell with it and make it's duration 24 hours. I frankly do not see why people fear that senario, as the level you would need to be to do that would mean you don't WANT that character being anywhere close to melee range (given they have no armor and bad weapons and bad base attack bonus and bad hit points and bad fort and ref. saves).

Sure, my wizard can hit you with his staff for weak damage. Right before he gets his head chopped off.