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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Elder-Basilisk" data-source="post: 1260278" data-attributes="member: 3146">It doesn't seem like Magic Missile is out of line with other first level spells in 3.5Compare: Magic Missile (lvl 1), and scorching ray (lvl 2).Magic Missile seems about the right power level in that comparison. One level lower and deals force damage automatically but deals approximately half as much damage (less at level 11+) and is negated by a very simple and common defensive spell as well as a cheap item.Vs. Flaming Sphere: Magic missile deals comparable damage with no save in Flaming Sphere's brief area of usefulness (lvl 3-7 or so). However, Flaming Sphere is re-usable and can be targetted with a move equivalent action--making it often quite useful. It's significantly better enough to be worth a 2nd level slot except at level 8-9+Vs. Shocking Grasp.At most levels where Shocking Grasp is a useful spell (2-7 or so), Shocking Grasp deals significantly more damage at the cost of a touch attack and dealing electric damage. Seems fair enough to me.Vs. Burning HandsBurning Hands is an interesting spell since it's a very small area of effect and its damage only becomes advantageous enough to be worth it from level 3 on. And by level 7 or 8, it's not dealing enough damage to often be worth casting. But at the levels where Burning Hands is good, it's very competitive with Magic Missile.So, Magic Missile stacks up reasonably well against good attack spells (ignoring Chill Touch, Acid Arrow, Ice Knife and other admittedly weak spells).I think the telling question is how it would stack up against non-damaging spells if it were nerfed. I think that weakening it would render 3.5 Ray of Enfeeblement and True Strike, and Enlarge Person clearly superior. And there's no question that, even unnerfted it's not going to cut the mustard at 2nd level with Mirror Image, Alter Self, False Life, See Invisibility, Glitterdust, Web, and Touch of Idiocy. So first level is the right place for it.</blockquote>

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