How's this spell?

[Willtell]

Which spell level should the spell below be?.


Needle Storm
Transmutation?
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Short (25 ft. + 5 ft. 2/levels)
Targets: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Special
Spell Resistance: No

Dozens of poison tipped needles form a sphere around the target then spring inward, automatically striking the target. Any corporal creature is normally struck by 1 needle per caster level and takes 1pt of damage per level.

The poison causes 1pt of Con initial and secondary damage per level. DC is per a spell 4th lvl spell. The spell does not effect creatures protected by the spell protection from arrows, or damage resistance, undead, incorporal or ethereal creatures.

Since the spell physically creates the needles and the poison, and momentium pushes the needles once they start moving.the spell ignores spell resistance.

 

[Spatzimaus]

Nope. Not balanced.

Here's the problems, as I can see it:

1> You didn't specify a save. Presumably you mean it has a poison's save (Fortitude), but you should say it. You've also implied that the person has no way to avoid being poisoned, they simply save to prevent the poison damage itself.
2> "Short" range is actually called "Close"

But those are minor, the big one:
3> CON damage is fatal. You're dealing one point per level on both the initial and secondary hit. That's WAY too much. If I'm 20th-level, that means if they fail EITHER save they take 20 CON points and die instantly. This is just WAY too large. For comparison, the divine Poison spell (Clr 4, Drui 3) deals 1d10 initial and final CON, and requires a touch attack.

This spell sounds more like an 8th-level spell; insta-death at range, and they have to save twice to survive.

 

[Willtell]

This mybe a little better.

Needle Storm
Transmutation?
Level: Sor/Wiz ?
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft. 2/levels)
Targets: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Special
Spell Resistance: No.

Dozens of poison tipped needles form a sphere around the target then spring inward, automatically striking the target. Any corporal creature is normally struck by 1 needle per caster level and takes 1pt of damage per level.

The creature struck must make save to resist the poison effect of each needle which causes 1pt of Con initial and secondary damage per needle. DC is 16.

The spell does not effect creatures protected by the spell protection from arrows, or damage resistance, undead, incorporal or ethereal creatures.

Since the spell physically creates the needles and the poison, and momentium pushes the needles once they start moving.the spell ignores spell resistance.

which level?

 

[Emongnome]

Definately, the Con damage is pretty large at higher levels, a little too high. Maybe 1d6+character level /4, primary and secondary. Also, I'd allow a Reflex save to avoid being caught in the middle of the sphere of needles.

 

[Kosh]

I think 1 Con / 2 caster levels would be balanced for a fourth level spell...

The damage can still be 1/caster level...

Does the target need to make a save for each needle, or just the spell as a whole?...

If you want to follow tradition, the DC should either be the spell DC or 10 + 1/2 caster level + (Int or Cha) mod... A set DC will make the spell obsolete very quickly...

Some suggestions, not orders...

 

[Pbartender]

Since the spell physically creates the needles and the poison...

This would imply a Conjuration (Creation) or Evocation spell, rather than a Transmutation.

Either...

"Conjuration (Creation): The spell manipulates matter to create an object or creature in the place the spellcaster designates (subject to the limits noted above for conjurations). If the spell has a duration other than instantaneous, magic holds the creation together, and when the spell ends or is dispelled, the conjured creature or object vanishes without a trace. If the spell has an instantaneous duration, the created object or creature is merely assembled through magic. It lasts indefinitely and does not depend on magic for its existence."

Or...

"Evocation: Evocation spells manipulate energy or tap an unseen source of power to produce a desired end. In effect, they create something out of nothing. Many of these spells produce spectacular effects, and evocation spells can deal large amounts of damage."

The Conjuration (creation) seems to fit the style of the spell a little better, in my opinion.

 

[Willtell]

I want the spell to potentically kill a creature - by ignoring spell resistance and requiring multiple saves to resist the effects of the poison, so the victom takes some damage.

I don't mind which level the spell is. 4th is to low since its better than polymorph other (even if more limited), poison (multiple saves), 7th?.

Needle Storm
Conjuration?
Level: Sor/Wiz ?
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft. 2/levels)
Targets: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Special
Spell Resistance: No.

Dozens of poison tipped needles form a sphere around the target then spring inward, automatically striking the target. Any corporal creature is normally struck by 1 needle per caster level and takes 1pt of damage per level.

The creature struck must make a fort save (dc 10+spell level + the normal modifiers) to resist the poison effect of each needle which causes 1pt of Con initial and secondary damage per needle.

The spell does not effect creatures protected by the spell protection from arrows, or damage resistance, undead, incorporal or ethereal creatures.

The spell normally physically creates the needles, creates the poison, and the momentium which push's the needles. The spell ignores spell resistance.

If the caster uses normal needles as a spell component the caster can cast greater magic weapon on the needles and overcome some damage resistance.

 

[Saeviomagy]

If you added a reflex negates, then it'd be a 4th level spell.

Also - if you made the target take 1d10 damage, followed by 1d10 primary/secondary con damage, it would also be a 4th level spell (better than the divine, but it IS what wizards are supposed to do)

 

[Geoff Watson]

Have a look at Poison Needles in OA, it's quite similar to your spell, but does less Con damage (though it can optionally do Dex damage or paralysis instead).
Having "SR:No" will make a big difference for a direct attack spell, though.

Geoff.