Flame Blade abuse/legality?

[LokiDR]

It surprises me that no one has said that they play it this way or that way, it would seem as if very few use this spell.

On the contrary, I have seen it uses many times. I have not seen it used as the primary mode of attack however. A nifty idea, but limited by the speed of casting 2 spells every combat and having enough spells to use each day.

As for the critical range, would you treat Moon Blade (FR) similarly?

If moon blade does give a crit range, it is 20/x2. What does the spell say about how it is wielded and damages?

And since weapon focus [scimitar] or any bladed weapon focus for Moon Blade works would that mean that Weapon Focus [Touch attack] and other touch attack feats does not?

Weapon focus[longsword] doesn't work for the moon blade unless the spell says it can be wielded as a longsword. The sunblade can be used as either a bastard sword or short sword, so either weapon focus will work (but not both). If moon blade says it can be used like any other bladed weapon, any weapon focus in a blade will work. I suspect that moon blade doesn't say that, however, so this doesn't work.

 

[green slime]

Weapon focus[longsword] doesn't work for the moon blade unless the spell says it can be wielded as a longsword. The sunblade can be used as either a bastard sword or short sword, so either weapon focus will work (but not both). If moon blade says it can be used like any other bladed weapon, any weapon focus in a blade will work. I suspect that moon blade doesn't say that, however, so this doesn't work.

Then your suspicions are dead wrong, because that is exactly what the Moon Blade spell does say:

From FRCS:
Anyone who can cast moon blade can wield the beam with proficiency. However, if you are proficient with any type of sword, you can wield the beam as if it were any type of sword and thus gain the benefits of any special sword skill you might have, such as Weapon Focus.

immaterial force blade that causes 1d8 + 1 / 2 levels (max +15), no Strength.

However, it is ONLY available to Hathran, or Clerics with the Moon Domain.

 

[LokiDR]

Then your suspicions are dead wrong, because that is exactly what the Moon Blade spell does say:



immaterial force blade that causes 1d8 + 1 / 2 levels (max +15), no Strength.

However, it is ONLY available to Hathran, or Clerics with the Moon Domain.

I should never try to remember FR spells, it will just make my head hurt. The spell looks like it falls in the same class as flame blade then, yes to weapon focus and no to crit of simulated weapon.

As for the cleric in question, it doesn't sound like he qualifies for the spell anyway. Isn't there a flame dagger spell out there some where, perhaps relics and rituals, that does 1d4 + 1/2 level? That would make for one cool dual wielder, with less penalties than 2 scimitars.

 

[Gwarthkam]

As for the cleric in question, it doesn't sound like he qualifies for the spell anyway. Isn't there a flame dagger spell out there some where, perhaps relics and rituals, that does 1d4 + 1/2 level? That would make for one cool dual wielder, with less penalties than 2 scimitars.

Wouldn't he be able to just use Moon Blade as a light off-hand weapon? He could just decide that he wielded it as a Short sword? I know it's a bit lame but the description of Moon Blade seems to allow it :/

 

[Saeviomagy]

And to be honest, I think the main reason is that the damage of the Shillelagh etc is a variable numeric effect that appears within the spell description, while the damage dealt by a summoned monster is not.

Actually, looking at the various wordings, I'd have to agree with that.

Although that bodes ill for any spell which lists the stats of the item or creature it creates...

LokiDR - if what you say is true, why didn't they simply leave out all references to scimitars, and make the spell a touch attack which deals X damage.

 

[crater]

If it's immaterial, then I wouldn't want to fight with it... not being able to parry or deflect weapons would be a major drawback

You know what I mean! Its just flames, its not solid (more accurately). Besides, I dont think you can really parry with it. Can you parry with a Shocking Grasp spell? I'd say no, but opponents dont get AoOs because its a big dangerous glowing bundle of energy, like Flameblade, and they try to avoid it, not because you use a solid blob of energy on the end of your arm to deflect blows. You dont get your str mod to damage, because its not solid presumably.

Besides, 3.5 is out now and everyones going to use shurikens.

 

[LokiDR]

Wouldn't he be able to just use Moon Blade as a light off-hand weapon? He could just decide that he wielded it as a Short sword? I know it's a bit lame but the description of Moon Blade seems to allow it :/

Only if the cleric has the moon domain or is a hathran. Otherwise, he had better start boning up on his UMD.

If the cleric could cast the spell, it could be wielded like a shortsword, sure. But the cleric has to cast the spell first.

 

[LokiDR]

LokiDR - if what you say is true, why didn't they simply leave out all references to scimitars, and make the spell a touch attack which deals X damage.

Because characters might want to dual wield them and specialize? They opened up feats to apply that otherwise wouldn't. Hence wielded, not damage or crit.

 

[kigmatzomat]

That settles it. I'm totally going to play a jedi druid

I'm getting ready to play a gnome druid (str:10) and flame blade and spikes will be playing heavily in his non-wildshaped melee combat plans. Flame blade is the only way a gnome or halfling can inflict d8 damage one-handed and the touch attack & damage bonus means he should be able to be keep up with the big people. I briefly toyed with a ranger/druid who used a flame blade in one hand and a small Spiked baton in the other.

Spikes is one of the most irritating spells at mid-high level because of the duration and the fact it can be given to someone else. "Hey paladin, here's a club that's +2 to hit and +9 damage that will last 9 hours! Smite something with that!" Combine with Divine Sacrifice and the pain factor is quite high.