Is this spell broken?

[Caliban]

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

That's the way I would rule in my home campaign, but the last official ruling I saw (concerning Ice Storm and Blade Barrier) was that all the damage ignores DR, since it's directly from a spell.

 

[Sejs]

That's the way I would rule in my home campaign, but the last official ruling I saw (concerning Ice Storm and Blade Barrier) was that all the damage ignores DR, since it's directly from a spell.

It does? Wacky. Can I get a source on that, because it's probably going to come up in my game here in the near future.

 

[Plane Sailing]

That's the way I would rule in my home campaign, but the last official ruling I saw (concerning Ice Storm and Blade Barrier) was that all the damage ignores DR, since it's directly from a spell.

At one point in the past Creeping Doom was a spell that was an exception to this rule (the spell caused damage via myriad insects, but DR1 or better would foil it), but that got changed in 3.5 IIRC.

IMO a conjuration spell that created a real thing that ignored spell resistance should be subject to damage resistance, I think that is how I'd rule IMC anyway.

Cheers

 

[glass]

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 are never foiled by DR.

EDIT: Found it...

Spells, spell-like abilities, and energy attacks (even nonmagical fire) ignore damage reduction.

glass.

 

[glass]

At one point in the past Creeping Doom was a spell that was an exception to this rule (the spell caused damage via myriad insects, but DR1 or better would foil it), but that got changed in 3.5 IIRC.

Creeping doom summons insects. Attacks from monsters summoned with SM spells are subject to DR.

IMO a conjuration spell that created a real thing that ignored spell resistance should be subject to damage resistance, I think that is how I'd rule IMC anyway.

I agree that it should be that way, but the RAW seems pretty unequivecal(sp) to me. IMHO, it's a jolly fine houserule, but it's still a house rule.


glass.

 

[shilsen]

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.

I assume the caster successfully penetrated SR in this case, since Spell Resistance is a factor with Quill Blast. Even so, I do think it is too powerful a spell.

 

[Nalgoth]

I would agree with everyone else that said the quill spell won't penetrate DR.

However, when you look at the average damage the spell would do (14d6 to a huge creature), it's not that bad. Plus, the druid has to get within 20 feet of it. If I was DM that huge creature would be full out pounding on the druid its next turn.

 

[Shazman]

With a -22 to attack and having massive damae already done to it? I don't think so. Any reasonable creature would flee which is exactly what the dragon did. I think I am going to drastically alter this. The druid saw the dragon flying toward her and had cast protection from enery (fire) beforehand. She won initiaitve and readied the quill blast. The dragon demanded tribute. She said "Here it is!" coupled with an obscene gesture. The dragon proceeded to breath fire, triggering her readied action.

 

[Pielorinho]

Potential nerf:
-What if every FIVE quills that strike a target, rounded down, inflict a -1 penalty? The damage is still pretty good, but the penalty becomes reasonable.

Daniel

 

[Thanee]

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

In the last combat my 3rd level barbarian/ranger spent two rounds using CLW from a wand!

Bye
Thanee