New spell- please comment

[Someone]

A player IMC wanted a spell like this, and we reached an agreement on what´s below, but I still want a comment or two from you:

Wilfred´s Sharp Hurricane
Conjuration
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V,S,M
Casting time: 1 action
Range: 40 feet
Area: Cone shaped burst
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving throw: No
Spell resistance: No

You call a mass of razor-sharp metal blades that burst out of your hands to the limits of the spell and then dissapear. The blades deal 2d6 damage to tagets of Medium size or smaller, and 3d6 to Large, 4d6 to Huge, 5d6 to Gragantuan, and 6d6 to Colossal targets.

Wilfred´s Sharp Hurricane penetrates damage reduction as a magic slashing weapon, not as a spell.

material component: a small blood-stained piece of razor

 

[Norfleet]

Seems kinda weak. Also, the concept of increased damage vs. larger targets was kicked around awhile back. I personally think that while a larger target is in a position to eat more of an area attack, it's also larger, so the effects are mostly surface damage rather than internal hits, which are worth correspondingly less.

2d6 damage for a typical standard human target seems sort of limp-wristed for a 3rd level spell, even if it doesn't grant a save. It's non-scaling, and never gets any better. I'd say maybe second level seems more appropriate. The weapon-like effects of hurling razor blades at the target seems to warrant some sort of attack roll to penetrate armor, rather than making it completely armor piercing, unless you want to call it something like "Flechette Blast".

 

[Someone]

Yes, it´s somewhat weak damage-wise, but it´s a conjuration spell and doesn´t have ST nor spell resistance.

About the armor, we discussed to make the damage armor-dependant, maybe substracting armor, natural armor, deflection and shield bonuses from damage (and obviously making it deal more damage) but found it difficult to balance and develop. Anyone have a suggestion about that?

 

[Kerrick]

Yes, it´s somewhat weak damage-wise, but it´s a conjuration spell and doesn´t have ST nor spell resistance.

I can't see any justifiable reason to not have a save AND SR. One or the other I can see, but there should be either Reflex save for half or SR applying. Since it's an area of effect, I'd go with the save.

I agree that the level's too high for the damage - if you're going to stick with 2d6, make it second level. Having armor subtract from damage unnecessarily complicates the spell, and makes it too easy to negate damage entirely - someone with high-end plate mail, a ring of protection, shield, etc. etc. could wade through a hail of razors without blinking an eye.

BTW - you forgot the (Creation) part.

 

[Someone]

Why not SR is because it´s a Conjuration spell: notice how in 3.5 they use not to allow SR. You are right, though, in the save (and the Creation) part

But I´ll change it somewhat. Maybe leave it at 3d6 damage for all targets, reflex half, and lower it to 2nd level?

 

[TheUber]

I think I posted this spell on my site without asking you, so I'm asking you now: Can I post this spell on my site?
http://www.uberddragons.cjb.net/

 

[Someone]

No problem.

 

[Kerrick]

But I´ll change it somewhat. Maybe leave it at 3d6 damage for all targets, reflex half, and lower it to 2nd level?

Sounds good to me. It might be a bit powerful at the lower levels, but it would quickly flip over and become less useful at higher levels (say, 7th and up). You might also want to consider doing 2d6 +1/level (max +10).

 

[Beholder Bob]

I see it like ice storm (no save, not a critical amount of damage but a guarantee of inflicting harm). Ice storm, though, does allow spell resistance - but since it is a creation spell and counts as a magic weapon rather then a spell, it should ignore spell resistance. The damage scaling with the size is an interesting idea, perhaps using the suggested damage 2d6+1/lv but subtract damage per the AC modifier for size (small creatures take less, large ones take more). Or perhaps a straight 2d6 with a (Strength = 10+caster LV) bull rush, as the name sounds forceful "..Hurricane" would make it more useful. Cover should reduce the damage by an amount equal to the cover had (1/4 cover reduces damage by 25%, while 9/10 cover takes 10% of the damage).
One thought, what if the component used (the razor) used determined the quality: cold iron (2 gp) silver (5 gp) or steel - treat as magic weapon (1 gp), gave the spell the same quality for the attack? This would give the spell a bit of versatility.

 

[Someone]

I thing I'll pass with the varying damage based on size and AC, that kind of things tend to complicate battles (they may seem to be easy to handle, but in the heat of battle they slow down the combat. But you have interesting suggestions.

One thought, what if the component used (the razor) used determined the quality: cold iron (2 gp) silver (5 gp) or steel - treat as magic weapon (1 gp), gave the spell the same quality for the attack? This would give the spell a bit of versatility.

That's a very cool idea. I'll post the final spell as soon I have time.