Fireworks Cantrip

[Michael Morris]

I think this is balanced. It is outclassed by other spells in everything but range. It has a very unusual trait for a cantrip in that it can be changed to a proper spell.

Snapdragon Fireworks
Shunran Evocation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 500 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

A fiery ember shoots forth from your fingertip with a loud squeal or crackling noise, issues along a chaotic weaving path to a point you designate, and explodes in 40’ radius blast in any pattern or form you choose. Creatures in the area of effect must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 1 hit point of damage. This increases to 2 points at 5^th level, 3 points at 11^th and 4 points at 17^th level.

You do not have to target any creatures. This spell is meant to signal or entertain and is usually targeted at high points up in the sky.

At higher levels: Unlike other cantrips, you may choose to put real spell power behind the firework. Cast as a 2^nd level spell the damage is in d4’s (1d4 at 3^rd, 2d4 at 5^th, 3d4 at 11^th and 4d4 at 17^th). Cast as a 4^th level spell the damage is in d6’s, as a 6^th level spell the effect is in d8’s and at 8^th level it’s in d10’s.

 

[Nellisir]

I'd add something to the description about the visibility of the explosion, and ditch the justification/rationale in the last line.

 

[Michael Morris]

Wouldn't that fall under the heading of "common sense"? A fireworks explosion at night can be seen for miles. Even in the day it should be visible for a couple miles. I have the line on how the spell is used to keep players and DM's from scratching their heads about how low the damage is.

 

[Nellisir]

Wouldn't that fall under the heading of "common sense"? A fireworks explosion at night can be seen for miles. Even in the day it should be visible for a couple miles. I have the line on how the spell is used to keep players and DM's from scratching their heads about how low the damage is.

Just say it's a "brilliant" explosion or something like that. You don't need an actual visibility radius. Right now there's nothing that makes this any more noticeable than a fireball. (Although depending on terrain, fireworks aren't all that visible past two miles or so. I've sat on a mountain and watched 8 different fireworks shows simultaneously, each within a few miles of at least one other show. This spell only goes up 500 ft; that's 1/10th of a mile; not very high above the horizon. 9 degrees, I think).

DMs and players can figure out the use of the spell without it being scripted for them.