Magic missile

[gizmo33]

I will always fondly remember magic missle. However, it just doesn't make the cut for me to want it in the new system. Firstly I think it should have to conform to one of the energy types - maybe force - and then be named appropriately - like "force bolt". Secondly it's mechanics should be revised to be consistent with the other damage spells.

 

[Rechan]

Why does anyone hate magic missile? It's a boring spell, sure, but sometimes you just need a fall-back spell that does a little bit of damage, especially to hard-to-hit targets that the wizard can't otherwise affect. What can a wizard do against a wraith? It's immune to a heck of a lot, but not to magic missile, so the wizard needles it a bit to soften it up while the fighter hacks away at it with his magic sword.

Because I've played in games up to 8-9th level where MM was the second cast spell. It's unimaginative, boring, and is constantly used.

And an auto-hit is cheap.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Do we know this for sure now? Or is it an educated guess?

Put to Bruce Cordell
Q: Will there be saving throws? Will they work the same way?
A: "Saving throws will look more like a new thing."

(source http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=206078 )

We've been told that SW saga indicates some 4e mechanics, so...

We know that saving throws will be different.
Educated guess is that it is going to be SWSE style static numbers

 

[Crazy Jerome]

I don't care about the names. If they want to come up with a better name than "magic missile" or not, I'm cool. What I'd like to see mechanically, though is:

1. At-will, magic missile derived ability that is not auto hit and does damage slightly on the weak side. It's a decent option that a lot of wizards can fall back on, but never a first choice.

2. Per-day, magic missile derived spell that does solid damage, to single or multiple targets, and retains the auto-hit. Basically, magic missile the way it was in Basic or 1st ed., but now balanced again by the fact that it takes up a precious slot. Or perhaps even a little stronger than that. This is one of the big guns that a wizard can pull out, and it ought to feel like it.

 

[WayneLigon]

What if magic missile no longer did (1d4+1)/2 levels? What if it was 1d6?
What would YOUR reaction be?

Wouldn't much matter to me one way or another. I'd assume they'd change it in other ways as well.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I don't think the essence of what a magic missle is has much to do with its damage dice.

 

[hong]

Geez, I wonder where all you people were when they decided to keep MM as 1d4+1, auto-hit during 3E playtest.

<-- NOT PISSY AT ALL

 

[Jhaelen]

I will always fondly remember magic missle. However, it just doesn't make the cut for me to want it in the new system. Firstly I think it should have to conform to one of the energy types - maybe force - and then be named appropriately - like "force bolt". Secondly it's mechanics should be revised to be consistent with the other damage spells.

Absolutely! Magic Missile is broken - get rid of it, already!

 

[Geron Raveneye]

Geez, I wonder where all you people were when they decided to keep MM as 1d4+1, auto-hit during 3E playtest.

<-- NOT PISSY AT ALL

Hey, don't be pissy, your thread finally managed to stir up some dust and sparks.