Is this spell broken?

[MoonZar]

A character IMC used a spell called quill blast last session. Its a fifth level druid spell that sends quills out in a burst that do 1d6 damage each and count as magic weapons for DR purposes. The larger the creature, the more quills can hit it. In this case it was an adult red dragon (huge) which failed her reflex save (for half). Huge creatures can be hit by 4d6 quills. The character rolled a 22 on 4d6 for 22d6 damage. I don't have a problem with the damage but the quills stay in until removed and inflict a -1 peanlty for each quill on attacks, saves, and skill checks. Removing each quill requires a move action and a DC 20 heal check or the creature takes an additional 1d6 points of damage. This fifth level spell effectively neutralized a CR 15 creature. Granted the dragon did fail it's save and 22 is a high number to roll on 4d6 but it still sounds overpowered to me. Would you guys allow it in your game? I am strongly considering nerfing down to just dealing instantaneous damage.

Well this 20' radius spell, this could hit his friend ?! I guess in this situation he didn't but this still a limitation.

But personaly i would allow it with an extra rare component instead of the porcupine quill.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Actually, I think the Vigor spells stack up pretty well against the Cure spells, and vice versa.

I concur. The vigor spells are roughly twice as good outside of combat, but they are pretty sucky during actual combat. That seems like a reasonable tradeoff.

 

[Plane Sailing]

It sounds ill thought out to me. A 5th level spell that could do 22d6 damage to a huge character and (if I read you correctly) also inflicts a -22 penalty on all attacks, saves and skill checks, and another potential 22d6 damage from removing said quills (of course, the huge creature has to find someone to assist as it is unlikely to make a DC20 heal check with that -22 penalty (or even the average -14 penalty).

As it stands there is no way that I'd allow this spell in my campaign. It is difficult to think of a spell of any level which is as likely to shut down a huge or larger creature with such effectiveness.

Cheers

 

[DarkJester]

My only grudge vs the vigor line regards wands of lesser vigor. I suppose my party has soured my on that. Wands of lesser vigor have became a major staple in any adventurering party they throw together.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Hurting nearby allies is not a small downside. If you get into trouble your comrades may be forced to abandon you to your fate.

It is much more difficult for a Cleric to heal you, for example.

Ticking off every enemy within 20' can be an unhealthy habit.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I agree it is poorly thought out. It is not necessarily unbalanced in the sense it is very likely to get the Druid killed.

As for Wands of Lesser Vigor, it is basically a half price wand that only works outside of combat. No biggy IMO.

 

[DarkJester]

Eh, its not really a biggy. But considering that I've never seen a CLW wand used in combat, its quite something for nothing.

 

[gabrion]

The spell is pretty broken. No where else in D+D will you find a spell that so effectively drops someone's saving throws.

 

[Caliban]

And one more thing...

It doesn't look like Quill Blast quills count as magic weapons from the spell description, so they are pretty much foiled by any form of DR.

Spells automatically bypass DR. You need SR or Energy Resistance against spells, and even that won't help you against a conjuration spell that doesn't do energy damage.


Quills is very powerful when you are facing one or two very large creatures. Especially if you have a high AC type who delays until after the druid let's loose with the quill, then closes the with target.

 

[Testament]

Spells automatically bypass DR. You need SR or Energy Resistance against spells, and even that won't help you against a conjuration spell that doesn't do energy damage.

AFAIK, because Quill Blast is specifically Piercing damage, IE, a physical damage type, it doesn't bypass DR. I may be wrong.

Yes, however, it is a horribly broken spell. Granted, it has a risk of friendly fire, but when a Druid can just turn into a bird and deliver it from fight, that really cuts down on the problem.

Living Greyhawk banned it, LotGR banned it, EMH has banned it, and so have I.