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<blockquote data-quote="Rybaer" data-source="post: 724268" data-attributes="member: 118">Well, I certainly would have made the ball lightning creature much different if I'd seen the spell description first.&nbsp; Oh well.&nbsp; Still a usable creature as is.&nbsp; I'd agree that the CR is probably a little low at 4, but I don't see it being higher than 5.&nbsp; In that it can only hit one target rather than multiple ones as an actual Lightning Bolt spell would, I've considered this a weaker attack.&nbsp; The Fort save is pretty low and creatures in general tend to have better Fort saves than Reflex.Maybe I'll try another variant of it that holds closer to the creature summoned in your spell description if I have time later tonight.As an aside, for an 8th level spell, I'd consider this to be pretty weak.&nbsp; It's essentially an area attack that caps at the same damage as a Fireball but has a much shorter range.&nbsp; That's followed by a single secondary attack that requires an attack roll and still allows a save for half damage.&nbsp; Anything you're thowing an 8th level spell against is going to be making most of those saves and/or stands a decent chance of avoiding the secondary attack altogether.&nbsp; For close range attacks, a Cone of Cold will average out to nearly the same damage, but is only a 5th level spell.&nbsp; I wouldn't hesitate taking an Empowered Cone of Cold in a 7th level spell slot over this spell for damage output at close range.&nbsp; Just food for thought.&nbsp; Personally, I'd do something to allow the summoned Ball Lightning stick around for at least a few rounds.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Rybaer, post: 724268, member: 118"] Well, I certainly would have made the ball lightning creature much different if I'd seen the spell description first. Oh well. Still a usable creature as is. I'd agree that the CR is probably a little low at 4, but I don't see it being higher than 5. In that it can only hit one target rather than multiple ones as an actual Lightning Bolt spell would, I've considered this a weaker attack. The Fort save is pretty low and creatures in general tend to have better Fort saves than Reflex. Maybe I'll try another variant of it that holds closer to the creature summoned in your spell description if I have time later tonight. As an aside, for an 8th level spell, I'd consider this to be pretty weak. It's essentially an area attack that caps at the same damage as a Fireball but has a much shorter range. That's followed by a single secondary attack that requires an attack roll and still allows a save for half damage. Anything you're thowing an 8th level spell against is going to be making most of those saves and/or stands a decent chance of avoiding the secondary attack altogether. For close range attacks, a Cone of Cold will average out to nearly the same damage, but is only a 5th level spell. I wouldn't hesitate taking an Empowered Cone of Cold in a 7th level spell slot over this spell for damage output at close range. Just food for thought. Personally, I'd do something to allow the summoned Ball Lightning stick around for at least a few rounds. [/QUOTE]

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