Solutions
This may qualify for a house rule post, but seeing as the subject falls in the rules section, I will answer here. I'm pretty sure Planesailing knows that his problem can be fixed via a house rule fix, ie- metamagic feat, magical item property, etc, but since I had this idea, I'll post it here:
Arcane Precision [Metamagic Feat]
Req: ability to cast at least 3rd level spells.
Benefit: You may choose to make an attack roll for any spell modified with this feat with the [area] descriptor. If you roll a 1, the spell fizzles, otherwise the spell takes effect as normal. If you roll a critical hit (20/x2) the spell deals double damage. In the case of non-damaging spells, the DC is raised by 2. Arcane Precision raises the spell's level by 1.
Normal: Spells with the [area] descriptor do not make attack rolls to hit.
Arcane Intuition [Metamagic Feat]
Req: Arcane Precision, ability to cast at least 5th level spells.
Benefit: When modifying a spell with Arcane Precision it no longer fizzles on a roll of 1, and the critical range is increased to 19-20, which does not stack with other feats. A critical still only raises the DC by 2.
Normal: When using Arcane Precision the spell fizzles (fails) on a roll of 1, and the critical range is 20.
Gnomish Pellet Flinger [Exotic Weapon]
Gnomes delight in playfulness and sports, they are also very crafty. This flinger is designed specifically to fling small pellets long distances.
Weapon Size Range Weight Damage
Gnomish Pellet Flinger S 50ft 1lb. -
Pellet T 5ft 1/10lb. 1/x2
Paint Pellet T 5ft 1/10lb. 1*/x2
*- Subdual
This weapon has many uses more than simply throwing small paint-filled pellets at each other, cunning illusionists and sorcerors have used this device to lob decisive spells. First, the Pellet Flinger must be made masterwork, then it must be coated with a small amount of mithril in the cup, thus allowing it to fling more than mere pellets of wood, stone, or paint. Fireball pellets flung in this manner must make an attack roll and have their range reduced to 50ft. On a roll of a 1, the fireball explodes at the user's feet, as it dropped out of the cup. On a 20 it is a critical hit (20/x2). This weapon may be used for other spells involving a pellet (Delayed Blast Fireball, any the user happens to make).
Finally, I would't modify the actual d20 SRD of the spell, as others have said it is quite powerful in its own right, and the designers' intentions (IMO) were that an attack roll is generally not required. However, thanks for the original post, gave me some good ideas at what to fling at my PCs.
Technik
