No spell resistance vs. Orb spells? Why?

[Someone]

What Shayuri said. Since it's a conjuration spell, and following the Acid Arrow example, they ignore spell resistance since they are supposed to be already existant matter, brought by the spell and launched towards the enemy, unlike "evocated" energy which is created on the spot. The above explanation being an example of why you never should try to apply much logic to spells, specially when it stands in the way of balance.

 

[Notmousse]

You may reconcile the orbs in this way.

The 'orb' itself is an extremely thin non-reactive material that bursts on contact, that may be filled with any kind of substance (Coldfire, Alchemist's Fire, Alchemic Acid, etc...). The substance filled orb is conjured by the spell, and thrown with the help of a conjured wind much like a pellet gun.

 

[Darklone]

Yeah, no Orb spells in my games either, except maybe the acid orb.

Cheers, -- N

If there wasn't Melfs acid arrow (I'm kinda a small extreme traditionalist), I'd allow that one.

 

[Machiavelli]

My thought is that if you're creating a physical item, either with a forge or arcane power, and then hurling the item at someone, it should follow a consistent set of rules. Ergo: ranged attack, none of this armor-bypassing, touch attack business.

Or, instead of trying to justify everything, just make the rules well-balanced, then come up with fluff after you've succeeded. Personally, I think the Orb spells are fine as-is until metamagic comes into play. A Twinned, Empowered, Maximized Orb of Force is just... ugly. Or whatever Energy Admixed, Born of Three Thunders (etc) metamagic fits your style.

 

[IcyCool]

You may reconcile the orbs in this way.

So how do you reconcile Orbs of Force, or Sonic Orbs?

 

[shilsen]

Orb of Force is especially silly when you read the rules on instantaneous duration conjuration (creation) spells.

I especially like Arc of Lightning with that rule. After you zap someone, you need to cast Resist Energy (electric) on yourself, pick up that long stick of lightning and whack people with it.

 

[James McMurray]

Or, instead of trying to justify everything, just make the rules well-balanced, then come up with fluff after you've succeeded. Personally, I think the Orb spells are fine as-is until metamagic comes into play. A Twinned, Empowered, Maximized Orb of Force is just... ugly. Or whatever Energy Admixed, Born of Three Thunders (etc) metamagic fits your style.

Aren't there tons of spells that are ugly when Twinned, Maximized, and Empowered? Or Energy Admixtured and Born of Three Thundersededed?

Given that a twinned, maximized, and empowered orb of force is effectively a 13th level spell slot, havingit do ~150 damage on average seems kinda uninspiring, not broken.

 

[evilbob]

I just figured these spells were there to give anyone other than a druid an incentive to take Spell Focus (Conjuration). Like: this feat isn't completely useless other than a way to get Augment Summoning! Really!

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Thanks for the answers. Seems a little house ruling is in order.

 

[Darklone]

Aren't there tons of spells that are ugly when Twinned, Maximized, and Empowered? Or Energy Admixtured and Born of Three Thundersededed?

Given that a twinned, maximized, and empowered orb of force is effectively a 13th level spell slot, havingit do ~150 damage on average seems kinda uninspiring, not broken.

Sudden.... but yeah, that's a huge investment.

Still, I don't like the style of these spells.