Epic Level Handbook: Someone please explain Living Lightning to me

[Phaedrus]

Maybe I'm just dense (heck, I know I'm dense), but I don't understand the spell Living Lightning. What is the benefit of a sentient lightning bolt? I don't see that it does more damage than the 3rd level spell... does it fire on its own many times in a day? Does it tell jokes? What does it do that makes it an epic spell?

 

[AuraSeer]

IIRC, it effectively gives you lightning bolt as a spell-like ability, and it doesn't require an action to activate. So in each round you can cast a regular spell, cast a Quickened spell, and trigger the SLA.

 

[drnuncheon]

...except that each time you do, you use up another Epic spell slot.

Kind of underwhelming if you ask me.

J

 

[AuraSeer]

Wait... it goes away after the first time it's triggered? Are you sure? I thought the spell stayed around indefinitely, and was reusable. That's why I compared it to a spell-like ability.

Man, if it only lasts for one casting, it really is completely useless. I'll have to reread that section of the book again.

 

[Angcuru]

Judging by the name of the spell, I would expect it to be a mechanical explanation for how the Symbul(you know, the munchkinned-out Pet NPC from Faerun) can do that 'turn into lightning bolt at will' sorta thing. I was wrong.

 

[drnuncheon]

Wait... it goes away after the first time it's triggered? Are you sure? I thought the spell stayed around indefinitely, and was reusable. That's why I compared it to a spell-like ability.

It does stay around. But every time you use it it sucks up another Epic slot.

J