D&D 5E Melee Combat and Spells...

[acorn_stasis]

Pick the targets it's worthwhile to spend those and use it then.

yeah I feel this, the damage could be great indeed and the condition a bonus. But as I said above, and like your math bears out, CR9 and above with impossible DC30+ (I took exactly 62 damage) and sometimes much worse odds to hit (I was failing on roll<=13, so like 42% chance of a double miss). A ten, a twelve and an impossible save. But we really needed to apply damage so I guess reward made it seem worth it.

With hindsight I simply should have burned the slot on D. Smite (yeah - still would need to actually hit). Oh well, I am just learning really (consider myself a newbie) and these concentration spells especially I find tricky to manage in terms of their situational value.

I really appreciate the advice.

 

[Satyrn]

It just makes me think of other spells that when they hit a fail, like condition saves or something, still do half damage or whatever. This category of spell that can be cast with zero effect needs special care. Should this be a primary consideration for choosing spells, like this can give me nothing while this always produces?

A consideration, certainly.

Is a little guaranteed damage better than a chance at significantly more? It'll depend on the situation.

Try everything, find out what works best for you.

 

[Satyrn]

With hindsight I simply should have burned the slot on D. Smite (yeah - still would need to actually hit). Oh well, I am just learning really (consider myself a newbie) and these concentration spells especially I find tricky to manage in terms of their situational value.

I really appreciate the advice.

Just as failing to use that spell effectively that time might suck, it was because of a string of rolls that went against you. You'll have plenty of times when things go great with your dice and during a very similar scenario and you'll feel like a god.

 

[guachi]

Wait until you play a Wizard and have nearly everything save or have your concentration spells evaporate in their second turn.

I'm so thankful my sorcerer never, ever complains about this. Where "my sorcerer" is "the player in the game I DM who plays a sorcerer". But, then again, don't all DMs think them as "my players"?