Is Wraithstrike the wrong level?

[Iku Rex]

I decided to post example characters in a new thread: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=3295389#post3295389 .It's a 12th level character and I'm curious:

Is it reasonable for a 2nd level spell to effectively add 180 damage as a swift action?

 

[Iku Rex]

Upon reading the text of the spell in the Complete Adventurer, I am getting the feeling the text would imply that strength based damage or power attack damage would not be applicable. I doesn't explicitely say either way but 'your melee weapons or natural weapons become ghostly and nearly transparent for a brief time.' It would be hard in my opinion utilize strength based damage.

It does "say". Unless otherwise stated, melee attacks follow the default rules for melee attacks. There is no ambiguity in the RAW here.

It would be a major oversight to "forget" to mention something like that if it was the "intent", especially considering that wraithstrike attracted a lot of attention when it was first published in Complete Adventurer, and (as far as I can tell) was re-plublished unchanged in the Spell Compendium. (As mentioned earlier the SC made a lot of balance changes to spells from the Complete books.)

From an in-game point of view I see no reason why it would be "hard to utilize Strength based damage" with "ghostly and nearly transparent weapons". What happens when you use wraithstrike with your staff? Does it create a staff-shaped opening through the victim's body with no resitance? You'd think that'd deal more damage than a regular attack - you're effectively tearing through flesh as a creature with infinite Strength... Actual wraiths don't deal Str damage but that's becasue they don't have Str.

Still, as a house rule it might help to make wraithstrike identical to a brilliant energy weapon. No damage to undead or constructs, and natural armor applies to AC.

 

[RigaMortus2]

By this logic, can't we say Mirror Image is overpowered? Let's take a look at Mirror Image.

Mirror Image
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal; see text
Target: You
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Several illusory duplicates of you pop into being, making it difficult for enemies to know which target to attack. The figments stay near you and disappear when struck.
Mirror image creates 1d4 images plus one image per three caster levels (maximum eight images total). These figments separate from you and remain in a cluster, each within 5 feet of at least one other figment or you. You can move into and through a mirror image. When you and the mirror image separate, observers can’t use vision or hearing to tell which one is you and which the image. The figments may also move through each other. The figments mimic your actions, pretending to cast spells when you cast a spell, drink potions when you drink a potion, levitate when you levitate, and so on.
Enemies attempting to attack you or cast spells at you must select from among indistinguishable targets. Generally, roll randomly to see whether the selected target is real or a figment. Any successful attack against an image destroys it. An image’s AC is 10 + your size modifier + your Dex modifier. Figments seem to react normally to area spells (such as looking like they’re burned or dead after being hit by a fireball).
While moving, you can merge with and split off from figments so that enemies who have learned which image is real are again confounded.
An attacker must be able to see the images to be fooled. If you are invisible or an attacker shuts his or her eyes, the spell has no effect. (Being unable to see carries the same penalties as being blinded.)

We have a 2nd level spell (same as Wraithstrike) which gives us a HUGE benefit to defense. Cast at the minimum level (3rd for a Wizard) and rolling the Minimum on the d4 die roll, you create 2 images. This gives the caster a 66% chance of being missed in combat by a melee attack. If you ever get to the point where you can create 8 images, you will be missed by a melee attack approx 11% of the time. Do you know of any other defensive spell that protects you from a melee attack 89% of the time? The only other spells that come close to this are Invis and anything that grants total concealment, both of which only offer 50% miss chance.

Eventually, as your images "pop", the percent chance of you getting hit goes up. But guess what? If you are that concerned about not getting hit, cast it again!

So is this spell over powered for a 2nd level spell? How are melee combatants supposed to hit you? It's not fair! I wonder if this would be a good spell to protect against Wraithstrike?

 

[Votan]

I decided to post example characters in a new thread: It's a 12th level character and I'm curious:

Is it reasonable for a 2nd level spell to effectively add 180 damage as a swift action?

It depends, to be brutally frank. Many things can add significantly to the damage output of an attack or a series of attacks as a swift action (Divine Metamagic comes to mind with spells).

If you have a focused build where this level of performance is the outcome then it might be okay at 12th level. This is especially true of high level play with many splatbook options (you are using at least the Complete Series if that spell is around).

I still think the spell level is about a level or two too low (probably one level low) but that is more to focus focus. A true fighter/mage should be deadly at attack because they sure aren't going to be as defensive as a pure melee character.

 

[Votan]

Do you know of any other defensive spell that protects you from a melee attack 11% of the time?

I think, rather, it protects you 89% of the time giving an 11% chance to hit and dividing potential damage massively. It is also a good candidate for quickening (only 6th level) and contingency options.

Good point.

 

[PallidPatience]

The enemy closing his eyes makes mirror image useless.

I'd just like to point that out.

 

[Infiniti2000]

The enemy closing his eyes makes mirror image useless.

I'd just like to point that out.

Making someone close their eyes and effectively be blind is certainly not useless. No attacks of opportunity, no spotting, etc.

 

[PallidPatience]

Surely you can close and open your eyes as a free action, though, right? If not, that's just insane.

So you take a single attack with your eyes closed, then open them (worst case scenario) so you're not "blind" and can take AoOs. If you HAPPEN to have Blind-fight, or some other sense (Blindsense, Blindsight, Tremorsense), then you've got an even better chance to at least know if the target moves. Blindsight even makes it pointless in its entirety.

I'd also like to point out that a defensive spell is probably a poor comparison with an offensive one. After all, Mirror Image can only hope to prolong the battle. With wraithstrike, one can end it prematurely.

 

[Mort]

By this logic, can't we say Mirror Image is overpowered? Let's take a look at Mirror Image.

....

So is this spell over powered for a 2nd level spell? How are melee combatants supposed to hit you? It's not fair! I wonder if this would be a good spell to protect against Wraithstrike?

Sorry but the two spells are leagues apart.

Mirror image gives a (rapidly diminishing) miss chance. at best it can save the mage from a few attacks. Also, even a 1st level fighter can have cleave and most DM's rule hitting a mirror image as droping it (this view is supported by the FAQ); once you have great cleave the mirror images are toast. There are plenty of other ways around mirror image; making it a decent but not overpowered spell.

RigaMortus2, I'm going to ask you the same question I asked Mistwell. Have you seen wraithstrike in mid to high level play? I also thought the spell was fine, but having seen and used it, I've changed my opinion.

 

[Deset Gled]

Sorry but the two spells are leagues apart.

Mirror image gives a (rapidly diminishing) miss chance. at best it can save the mage from a few attacks. Also, even a 1st level fighter can have cleave and most DM's rule hitting a mirror image as droping it (this view is supported by the FAQ); once you have great cleave the mirror images are toast. There are plenty of other ways around mirror image; making it a decent but not overpowered spell.

QFT.

First of all, even if we were comparing exact opposites, there is as huge different between a spell that causes 100 hp of damage, and a spell that negates 100 hp of damage. Just look at the Inflict/Cure spells: when you inflict damage, you need to make a touch attack roll, and must overcome SR. When you heal, you touch for free, and the target can volutarily lower SR. Exact same numbers, but there are two extra safeguards against inflicting damage.

Second, Mirror Image can be countered in a number of ways. Multiple attacks. AoE spells. Dispell magic. True Seeing. Wraithstrike can only be countered by boosting touch AC, or readying a dispel magic.

Third (and most important), Mirror Image takes a standard action to cast. Sure, a sorcerer could cast Mirror Image many times in a row and keep themselves protected. But he's not going to be any real threat, because he won't be casting any other spells. Wraithstrike is a swift action, and is combined with other attacks that are already a threat themselves.