For the reasons presented by others, I think that Ice Storm is just fine for a 4th level spell. My 12th level rogue, let's call him 'David' since uttering his true name tends to draw unwanted attention from law enforcement types, has given the party wizard carte blanche to rain down Fireball and Lightning Bolt in David's area (he tends to save on any roll but a 1). He has also sworn to slit the wizard's weasand if he starts getting frisky with Ice Storm. For the rogues of the world, Ice Storm is a real pain.
Minor correction to earlier postings,: Ice Storm IS affected by Spell Resistance, as per its listing in both the 3.0 and 3.5 SRD.
Off topic evil tactic: a group of rogues swarms the party setting up flanks and performing mutliple sneak attacks with two weapons each, while a couple of wizards stand off and lob fireballs into the melee. Or, if you want to make it an all-rogue affair, a couple of rogues with Use Magic Device and Wands of Fireball. Those Wands of Fireball can be pretty sweet. With their pathetic DC of 14, any self-respecting mid-level rogue laughs at them, but they are still doing at least half damage to most of the enemy. To make it even more exciting, have a few of the rogues that engage the enemy be holding Necklaces of Fireballs which they drop on the ground when they move in and Quickdraw their weapons. Those unattended necklaces will fail a saving throw soon enough and then, KABOOM! The rogues will probably evade most of the damage, but the hapless adventurers will taste much damage.
Minor correction to earlier postings,: Ice Storm IS affected by Spell Resistance, as per its listing in both the 3.0 and 3.5 SRD.
Off topic evil tactic: a group of rogues swarms the party setting up flanks and performing mutliple sneak attacks with two weapons each, while a couple of wizards stand off and lob fireballs into the melee. Or, if you want to make it an all-rogue affair, a couple of rogues with Use Magic Device and Wands of Fireball. Those Wands of Fireball can be pretty sweet. With their pathetic DC of 14, any self-respecting mid-level rogue laughs at them, but they are still doing at least half damage to most of the enemy. To make it even more exciting, have a few of the rogues that engage the enemy be holding Necklaces of Fireballs which they drop on the ground when they move in and Quickdraw their weapons. Those unattended necklaces will fail a saving throw soon enough and then, KABOOM! The rogues will probably evade most of the damage, but the hapless adventurers will taste much damage.
