Creeping Doom

[jodyjohnson]

Never cared much for the spell. Generally 3e removed all the goofy mathematical mechanics by standardizing the spells. This one is a math heavy spell which is overpowered or worthless. It could just as easily do 8d6 per round negated by DR like an incendiary cloud. If the full round casting time merits the increased potential, I'm surprised the Summon spells are so weak (in pure combat potential - they do have other uses).

Animate Object is the other spell which I think should have been streamlined. In spirit it should be an alternative Summon Monster, not an erxercise in calculating the volume of an irregular solid and then maxing out as a medium construct with a 2 minute duration and a CR slightly higher than my grandmother .

The reason Creeping Doom usually comes up is because the party has it and generally the party can get those full round spells off when they want to.

 

[Wormwood]

Bah.

Whirlwind Attack and Great Cleave.

Problem solved.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

@Wormwood: are you really a liar?


Stoneskin will not save you boys: it only absorbs 10 points per caster level (max 150) points before it's discharged. It will lessen the spell to 850 points, but that's like donning protective goggles when a sequoia hits you.

 

[KarinsDad]

[B
Stoneskin will not save you boys: it only absorbs 10 points per caster level (max 150) points before it's discharged. It will lessen the spell to 850 points, but that's like donning protective goggles when a sequoia hits you. [/B]

Good point.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

You don't need to ready an action to hurt the druid, since he's casting a full-round spell. At any time during that round, drop a Fireball or some such spell on him. It's best if you have a cleric cast Flame Strike, just in case the druid has Protection from Fire cast.

 

[KarinsDad]

You don't need to ready an action to hurt the druid, since he's casting a full-round spell. At any time during that round, drop a Fireball or some such spell on him. It's best if you have a cleric cast Flame Strike, just in case the druid has Protection from Fire cast.

Yes, but at that level, he might make the Save and the Concentration check (in addition to allies being in his area).

Better to be safe and make sure you get the entire spell. Have most characters attempt to drop a hurt on the Druid, resulting in multiple Concentration checks. Have your Area of Effect guy ready the action to take out the spell, just in case.

Course, that option will almost always damage your allies as well since the Druid will be casting in their direction, but hey, being damaged is better than being dead. Plus, nobody ever said that adventuring was safe.

Btw, a Silence spell is typically one of the better answers to most one round spells. Just remember that it is typically ok to cast it at divine spell casters, but those pesky arcane ones sometimes have up those darn Globes.

Oh, and one other thought. Archer types at that level tend to get 3 or 4 attacks per round (with Rapid Shot). Hasted Archers can even get one more. So, on average, an Archer will often hit 3 times on a caster casting a one round spell. Making all 3 Concentration checks can be difficult, even when the damage might average less than 10. Throw in attacks from multiple characters and the Druid will rarely get the spell cast unless he is really far away or concealed or something. I'm starting to really lean towards the spell being ok as is.

 

[Caliber]

Stoneskin will not save you boys: it only absorbs 10 points per caster level (max 150) points before it's discharged. It will lessen the spell to 850 points, but that's like donning protective goggles when a sequoia hits you.

"My eyes! The goggles do nothing!"

Hehe, couldn't resist. Not to be tottaly OT though ...

I like PC's interpretation. Works for me.

Sure its easy to disrupt the one Druid all by his lonesome. But when all of his Summoned Chipmunks of Doom are munching on you, you may be a little bit preoccupied. 62 automatic and 124 a round after that ain't too shabby, and will drop most really high level characters anyway (as well as causing some massive damage saves like PC mentioned.)

 

[the Jester]

Oooh! Caliber, you just inspired me- I'll have to make a druid prc that focuses on chipmunks!

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

If you're a 13th-level archer, why aren't you walking around with a +4 bow and +4 shock arrows? (Normally just +1 and +1 shock, but of course your spellcaster puts a GMW on it.) That should make a nice Concentration check.

BTW what druid can make a Concentration check of 57? (Assuming they take 35 damage from a Fireball, while trying to cast a 7th-level spell). Yes, you are correct about the save, though.

Fighter, or worse, barbarian: charge him, smack him hard (with Power Attack, what's the druid's AC again?). If you have Mass Haste running (at really high level), the druid won't live long enough. If your party happens to have a monk... ow!

 

[KarinsDad]

BTW what druid can make a Concentration check of 57? (Assuming they take 35 damage from a Fireball, while trying to cast a 7th-level spell). Yes, you are correct about the save, though.

Well, actually, the Concentration check is 52. Still extremely difficult to make.

If the save is made, it becomes a 34. A Druid who keys on Concentration could have as high as +20 at 13th level, so it is fairly possible to make the Concentration roll if he makes the Save.

But, as a Druid, would you cast Creeping Doom in the middle of a normal combat?

I wouldn't. It takes too long to cast.

I would only cast it with several Protection From Elements spells up (Fire and Lightning being the first two obvious choices) and possibly from Concealment.

In fact, I would get the Silent Spell feat and cast it from afar in the woods at level 15.

It is more of an ambush spell than it is a normal combat spell unless your opponents are really pre-occupied, or you are far enough away that they might not hear your spell casting in combat.

Also, if you do cast it in normal combat, there is a fair chance that the combatant types will not recognize it. One round spells tend to be those wimpy Summoning spells. So, if the enemy spell casters have lower initiatives than the enemy combatant types, there is a good chance that only the enemy spell casters can stop it. Pick and choose your battlegrounds.