Energy substitution

[Murrdox]

Since sonic isn't allowed in the first place, how do you replace it with anything?

I should have ammended my text to WAS. I was simply trying to clarify that originally, Sonic WAS in fact allowed. Your text seemed to indicate that Sonic was never an option, and I was merely attempting to explain where the original Sonic subsitution came from.

I haven't re-purchased all my none-core books for 3.5 though, and as far as I know Energy Substitution isn't in the PHB 3.5, so I have no idea what the updated rules for it are.

Our group disallowed Sonic in 3.0 after the 2nd wizard character picked it up and we realized how bad it stank of cheese

 

[IcyCool]

Our group disallowed Sonic in 3.0 after the 2nd wizard character picked it up and we realized how bad it stank of cheese

If you were playing in a game where a majority of your foes are Slaad, it might not seem so cheesy.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Oh, okay, no problem, Murrdox. I was specifically responding to 3.5 and I believe the feat is located in Complete Arcane.

 

[werk]

Yes, sonic was available in 3.0 (Magic of Faerun/T&B), but not in 3.5(Complete Arcane?).

Choose one Energy Type when you take this feat (i.e., Acid, Cold, Electricity, or Fire).
You may change any spell with a different Energy Type to this Energy Type. All other
effects of the spell remain the same.
You may take this feat multiple times, each with a different Energy Type.

I had sonic in 3.0, but switched to electricity with 3.5. Acid may be better, but saying KRAKOW! or ZAG! every time you cast is too much fun.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

In one of my previous games, the DM ran it with the rule that sonic attacks had one point of damage subtracted from each dice roll of damage, which could reduce a particular dice value to zero. So, a 10th level caster's sonic ball did 10d6 - 10 sonic damage. I assumed it was some obscure rule I had never noticed, but I guess it was just a house rule. Seemed to balance the sonic damage with the other elements nicely, though.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I always thought that sonic was unfairly punished. A 2nd level silence spell would make you immune to a rediculously high sonic attack.

Limiting the extra damage from the sonic burst weapon and deleting sonic as a choice for substitiution always struck me as a too-easy way out of the fact they just don't have very many (any?) sonic-immune monsters. If nothing else, incorporeal beings should be.

DS

 

[werk]

And is it a coincindence that sonic is available for Energy Ray but acid is not?

 

[Legildur]

I always thought that sonic was unfairly punished. A 2nd level silence spell would make you immune to a rediculously high sonic attack.

I'm not confident that this is the case. While the 3.5 FAQ is silent on it <dodges rotten tomatoes>, I thought that Silence did not prevent sonic damage as (IIRC) it is an air vibration effect (or similar) rather than hearing dependent. Does anyone else have clarification on this? Have I been smoken the wrong (or right, as the case may be) stuff?

 

[Enamel_32]

The -1 damage for sonic attacks is actually included in the XPH for all the [form] of energy powers," though it also ignores hardness when attacking objects. It makes sense that it should do less damage, because the only creature with immunities that I can think of are slaads.


As for silence, I would rule that it doesnt negate sonic damage, because it is considered an energy type, more than just a loud sound.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I'm not confident that this is the case. While the 3.5 FAQ is silent on it <dodges rotten tomatoes>, I thought that Silence did not prevent sonic damage as (IIRC) it is an air vibration effect (or similar) rather than hearing dependent. Does anyone else have clarification on this? Have I been smoken the wrong (or right, as the case may be) stuff?

I did my homework ahead of time on this one. The 3.5 SRD says "This spell provides a defense against sonic or language-based attacks." I can't see how you would construe any spell that does damage and has the sonic descriptor as NOT a sonic attack. But I bet someone still will!

DS