Energy Enhancements are too good at +1 (math)

[BigAlzBub]

While energy weapons seem great at first sight, there is an oft overlooked aspect to them

From the SRD:

Flaming: Upon command, a flaming weapon is sheathed in fire

Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity

 

[Nail]

......However, the actual difference in damage is small. Let's run the numbers with a Ftr 6 with a Greatsword. He has Specialization, and a 18 Str. Criticals are included.

Our fighter has a choice: Buy a +2 sword, or a +1 Flaming sword. He decides to defer to the party's Wizard(algebraist) to determine which is better. The wizard looks at 2 cases: where the Ftr hits half the time, and where the Ftr hits 3/4 of the time. Here's the expected damage per swing from each sword for each senario:

                         50% Hit           75% Hit
Greatsword +2:            10.3               15.0
Greatsword +1, Flaming:   10.6               15.8

So the flaming sword is better, yes?

How does it compare to a +3 sword?

                         50% Hit           75% Hit
Greatsword +3:            11.9               16.8
Greatsword +1, Flaming:   10.6               15.8

Check it out: a +3 sword is much better than +1,flaming. In fact, the difference between +1, flaming and +3 is much greater than between +2 and +1, flaming.

I'd say the energy bonus of +1d6 is very close to a +1 power.

 

[magic_gathering2001]

Personally. i think energized is a lot worse than +1 especially after some of the thigs you have said
also sword and fist has all of the algabra on it already

Oh yeah, did i get my math right

 

[Nail]

While energy weapons seem great at first sight, there is an oft overlooked aspect to them

From the SRD:

Flaming: Upon command, a flaming weapon is sheathed in fire

Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity

Sure........so you activate it long before combat. Still, a point to consider.

 

[magic_gathering2001]

 50% Hit 75% Hit
Greatsword +3: 11.9 16.8
Greatsword +1, Flaming: 10.6 15.8

You used a +1 flaming greatsword in comparison

 

[frankthedm]

Of course you hear quite often about the creative [ab]uses players try with magical storage devices to try and avoid said activation in combat.

 

[Nail]

You used a +1 flaming greatsword in comparison

Er.....that's the point.

"Is Flaming a +1 or a +2 power?" .....so compare greatsword +3 to a Greatsword +1, flaming.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Criticals are included.

Oh yeah--criticals were not included in my formula, but that's yet another advantage for the +2 sword.

 

[Nail]

Oh yeah--criticals were not included in my formula, but that's yet another advantage for the +2 sword.

Yep! 10% extra damage, for a sword.

 

[Campbell]

An often overlooked component of standard enhancement bonuses is the additional flexibility gained by the wielder of a two handed weapon. The two handed weapon wielder could choose to pour that extra +1 to hit into +2 damage using 3.5 Power Attack, gaining a net effect of +3 to damage, compared to +3.5 average fire damage from the flaming weapon. The chance to hit remains the same. However in cases where the the two handed weapon wielder is faced against a foe with a higher AC he may elect to gain the bonus to hit rather than damage.