[Complete Arcane] How is Vitriolic Sphere supposed to work?

[Hypersmurf]

I suspect that part of the problem is that, as a 3.5 conjuration spell, it's "real" acid...

"And remember, we're using real acid, so I want to see goggles, people!"

-Hyp.

 

[CyberSpyder]

"And remember, we're using real acid, so I want to see goggles, people!"

-Hyp.

But they don't do anything.

 

[Li Shenron]

Spells that have Reflex negates saves allow you to totally negate a spell's effect on a successful Reflex save.

It probably should have said Reflex Partial and Reflex Half... or not?

To me it seems like each round you make a Ref save to negate the following effects AND to half the damage; except that the first round save doesn't half the initial save.

Or IOW it may work like this:

-If you succeed the 1st round ST, you get full 1st damage and the spell is over
-If you fail the 1st round ST, you get full 1st damage and continue in 2nd round
-If you succeed the 2nd round ST, you get half 2nd damage and the spell is over
-If you fail the 2nd round ST, you get full 2nd damage and the continue in 3rd round
-If you succeed the 3rd round ST, you get half 3rd damage and the spell is over
-If you fail the 3rd round ST, you get full 3rd damage and the spell is over

It is anyway possible that they intended ALSO the 1st round damage to be halved in case of a successful save.

 

[Pyrex]

So, how is that any different than what I posted in the first place?

As a 5th level spell that does d4's, it's too weak if the first save halves the initial damage.

Despite the horrible wording, I'm still thinking that the series of events listed in my first post is how the spell is intended to work.