Meteor swarm
- Thread starter Outcast
- Start date
Believe me, it's not your English -- even fluent speakers have problems with this spell 
Since it is a 9th level spell, I'm pretty liberal with the interpretation. I believe it works like this:
1) You pick 4 or 8 meteors and select the burst pattern
2) Each meteor travels in a straight line to the designated target before it bursts
3) If a creature happens to be between a meteor and its designated burst target it takes 24d6 or 12d6 fire damage (no save) -- I would rule that a creature can only be hit by one meteor which each casting of this spell
4) The meteors hit the targets and explode, causing damage in the burst pattern shown in the PHB. Potentially, creatures struck direclty by the meteor can take more damage, depending where they are standing in the burst pattern. Of course, this damage allows a Relfex save.
Since it is a 9th level spell, I'm pretty liberal with the interpretation. I believe it works like this:
1) You pick 4 or 8 meteors and select the burst pattern
2) Each meteor travels in a straight line to the designated target before it bursts
3) If a creature happens to be between a meteor and its designated burst target it takes 24d6 or 12d6 fire damage (no save) -- I would rule that a creature can only be hit by one meteor which each casting of this spell
4) The meteors hit the targets and explode, causing damage in the burst pattern shown in the PHB. Potentially, creatures struck direclty by the meteor can take more damage, depending where they are standing in the burst pattern. Of course, this damage allows a Relfex save.
Cloudgatherer
First Post
Two ways to use the spell:
1) hit 1 creature for 24d6 damage, no save.
2) Use one of the "patterns" in the PHB, which essentially makes the spell a fancy fireball with varying damage depending on location. Yeah, this is the more confusing option.
Most of the time, option number 1 is used
. If you want to hurt a lot of creatures, use horrid wilting.
1) hit 1 creature for 24d6 damage, no save.
2) Use one of the "patterns" in the PHB, which essentially makes the spell a fancy fireball with varying damage depending on location. Yeah, this is the more confusing option.
Most of the time, option number 1 is used
. If you want to hurt a lot of creatures, use horrid wilting.I'd go with gfunk's description of the spell.
Edit: Also, Outcast, there's a bunch of Dutch guys on the boards here, if any of the conversations get too intricate in the language and you need a hand in translation. Unfortunately, your English is much better than my Dutch.
Edit: Also, Outcast, there's a bunch of Dutch guys on the boards here, if any of the conversations get too intricate in the language and you need a hand in translation. Unfortunately, your English is much better than my Dutch.
Last edited:
Hypersmurf
Moderatarrrrh...
I, on the other hand, agree with Cloudgatherer.
By my reading, the 24d6 is the result of one person being hit by all the meteors simultaneously, which are "used up" and don't burst.
If no creature intercepts the path of the meteors, they then detonate in a burst pattern.
-Hyp.
Cloudgatherer
First Post
I'm fairly certain on my interpretation. Granted, there is some confusion regarding the spell, usually in regards to if the meteors "travel through" an enemy and deal 24d6 no save damage to all in a line (which it doesn't).
I've been compiling spells that suffer from such problems. I'll also put in a plug for my thread on the issues:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24220
Here's what I have on meteor swarm....
Meteor Swarm
Problems: Underpowered, Vague
· Underpowered: As the most powerful “blasting” spell, meteor swarm lacks in the massive damage department. It is a good damage dealer to a single creature (see below), but when one of the “patterns” is used, the damage is typically not as good as a fireball or delayed blast fireball (except for a slightly higher DC).
· Vague: A common misconception of meteor swarm is it will travel in a straight line, damaging everything in its path for 24d6 damage without a saving throw. This is only partially true. The spell “detonates” in the same manner as a fireball when it strikes a creature. The spell is unclear how it detonates, which most likely means it does not detonate at all and only damages a single creature for 24d6 without a save. There is an important “if” in meteor swarm’s description that gives it the fireball quality (explodes/damages on impact).
Enjoy!
I've been compiling spells that suffer from such problems. I'll also put in a plug for my thread on the issues:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24220
Here's what I have on meteor swarm....
Meteor Swarm
Problems: Underpowered, Vague
· Underpowered: As the most powerful “blasting” spell, meteor swarm lacks in the massive damage department. It is a good damage dealer to a single creature (see below), but when one of the “patterns” is used, the damage is typically not as good as a fireball or delayed blast fireball (except for a slightly higher DC).
· Vague: A common misconception of meteor swarm is it will travel in a straight line, damaging everything in its path for 24d6 damage without a saving throw. This is only partially true. The spell “detonates” in the same manner as a fireball when it strikes a creature. The spell is unclear how it detonates, which most likely means it does not detonate at all and only damages a single creature for 24d6 without a save. There is an important “if” in meteor swarm’s description that gives it the fireball quality (explodes/damages on impact).
Enjoy!
