New spell to critique

[reveal]

Another spell my player has created:

Destructive Dissonance
School: Evocation
Level: Sor/Wiz2
Components: V,S
Casting time: One standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature or object touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

Your successful melee touch attack deals 1d6 points of sonic damage per caster level (maximum 10d6)

 

[Jdvn1]

I'd say it should be d4 to be consistent with other Sonic spells, but maybe the fact that it's a touch spell is a sufficient mitigating factor. Couldn't this also be a Bard spell, though?

 

[Bront]

I think it's better as d4 being sonic (D8 vs Constructs and objects) and all, but add a save vs stun for 1d4+1 rounds as well. Scorching Ray is 4d6 up to x3 at 11 and has range, but it's fire and you have to hit with each ray.

 

[Jdvn1]

Melee touch attacks are worse than ranged touch attacks for a caster, though. It means you have to get into melee reach (barring special abilities or feats).

 

[Bront]

Yup, but is scales better most levels than Ray, you have to attack with each 4d6 chunk, it's fire, which is easier to resist (and since it's 3 attacks, you resistance 3 times). But I like that sonic often has an extra status kicker, which is why I suggested the D4 with stun.

 

[Cheiromancer]

I don't like rolling handfuls of d4, and the spell seems clearer and crisper without notes about stunning.

As written, though, the spell has two many plusses and not enough minuses. On the plus side is the fact that it is sonic damage, the fact there is no save, and the fact that 10d6 is quite good for a second level spell. On the minus side is the fact that it requires a touch attack to deliver.

I'd give it a fort save for half damage.

Oh, and even with the save it is too effective at dealing damage to be a suitable bard spell. A bard version would use d4s and have a chance to stun or deafen the target. This spell, however, should remain sor/wiz.

 

[schnivelbiv]

from the author

I am the guy that wrote up this spell. All I am looking for is a 2nd level spell that is very similar to shocking grasp but with a larger damage cap. Here is what I want: 2nd level, no save, range touch, does damage with no special stuff stacked on top like stun or blindness. I want a good 2nd level spell that can go into a spell storing weapon. This sonic spell is just the 1st swipe at it. If it being soinc is to much than what can I get by with on a 2nd level range touch damage dealing spell that grants no save?

 

[reveal]

I am the guy that wrote up this spell. All I am looking for is a 2nd level spell that is very similar to shocking grasp but with a larger damage cap. Here is what I want: 2nd level, no save, range touch, does damage with no special stuff stacked on top like stun or blindness. I want a good 2nd level spell that can go into a spell storing weapon. This sonic spell is just the 1st swipe at it. If it being soinc is to much than what can I get by with on a 2nd level range touch damage dealing spell that grants no save?

One thing I have found after looking through the core books, the Complete Series and the Races of... Series is that there is no 2nd level Sor/Wiz spell that allows for more than the 5d6 damage cap when you get to higher levels. I know the DMG says that the cap on damage for 2nd level spells against a single target is 10d6, but it doesn't look like WotC uses that in practice.

 

[Cheiromancer]

I am the guy that wrote up this spell. All I am looking for is a 2nd level spell that is very similar to shocking grasp but with a larger damage cap. Here is what I want: 2nd level, no save, range touch, does damage with no special stuff stacked on top like stun or blindness. I want a good 2nd level spell that can go into a spell storing weapon. This sonic spell is just the 1st swipe at it. If it being soinc is to much than what can I get by with on a 2nd level range touch damage dealing spell that grants no save?

Well, drop the sonic damage, for sure. Make it cold, or maybe fire damage; something that is not so effective against objects, and against which more creatures are resistant. I'd recommend cold. Call it "Freezing Touch." I think that would be enough to balance out the no save part. Though, if it is not, work in a slight delay; the spell takes effect at the end of the target's next turn, say. Then I'm confident it would be balanced.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

I would suggest either capping at 5D6, as noted above appears to be WOTC practice, or dropping to 1D4, 1D8 vs Constructs and objects. Use Sonic or Acid as the type.
Or.. change to a more standard element such as Cold, Electrical, Fire , etc..

Add a note that the spells verbal compent resonants quite loudly.. I envision the Shout attack used in the movie Dune.

Adding the complexity of a delay is something I would avoid. Too much touble to track.

I use TEOM, which builds spells with either an attack roll or a save roll, not both. In play I like the ease of having only one roll to deal with.