Orb Spells

[Sledge]

As it seems every so often these spells are brought up as not making sense for conjuration, as the energy damage is energy. However it seems that many of these could simply be explained as matter that is heavily charged with energy.

Orb of Acid doesn't generate many complaints because acid is already established.
Orb of Cold would imply liquit nitrogen or something along those lines.
Orb of Electricity would be explained as plasma.
Orb of Fire would be very very very hot air.
Orb of Force is my only real concern as by definition "force" shouldn't use matter.
Orb of Sound eludes my descriptive abilities at the moment.

Anyone have explanations for either of the last two?

 

[I'm A Banana]

I think it's pretty inexcusable myself. Conjuration conjures matter or creatures. If we're going to extend the D&D definition of "matter" to include the D&D definition of "energy," I think something Theory of Relativity would have to be involved.

Screw it. IMC, they're evocation. Meanwhile, summoning orbs of fluffy teddy bears is still Conjuration. "TEDDY BEAR BALL ATTACK!"

 

[demiurge1138]

Both Orb of Force and Orb of Sound are evocations IMC. Orb of Sound is described as more of a targeted sonic boom, and Orb of Force is just Magic Missle Double-plus.

Demiurge out.

 

[the Jester]

Bah!

I frown on attempts to justify these spells. I see them as, plain and simple, a misguided attempt to put conjuration in evocation's place. I think they're broken- direct damage should almost always allow SR.

Now, I'd be fine with them as evocations that allow SR... but then, arguably, they would be too weak.

Heck, I think it's plain that these are all an attempt to 3e-ify chromatic orb. It could have been done much better imho.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

If you look at conjuration as simple bringing materials from else where to here than it pretty much justifies all of them. IMO though evocation should have all of those blast spells conjuration is not about direct damage.
Don't get me started on no SR.

 

[Sledge]

I'm well aware that some people see balance issues with these spells. I'm well aware that some people hate conjuration spells that are useful. I'm well aware that some people take exception to any school doing more than one thing. Never the less I didn't ask about any of that. Can we stay on topic?

 

[VirgilCaine]

I'm well aware that some people see balance issues with these spells.

1 Dice/level of damage for sonic isn't present in the Core rules and thus is a Bad Idea, IMO.

 

[iwatt]

I'm well aware that some people hate conjuration spells that are useful.

Are you kidding? without the orb spells conjuration is one of the most powerful schools out there. Or do you mean to say that grease, glitterdust, web, the summon spells, teleport, etc.. are not useful? Color me confused. :\

 

[FireLance]

Anyone have explanations for either of the last two?

If I absolutely had to come up with an explanation of how the orb spells "work", I'd say that they conjure a small portion of dragon breath which is a Supernatural effect and also ignores SR. Orb of sound taps on emerald dragon breath and orb of force taps on amethyst dragon breath. See MMII for more information on emerald dragons, amethyst dragons and the other gem dragons.

 

[FireLance]

1 Dice/level of damage for sonic isn't present in the Core rules and thus is a Bad Idea, IMO.

Substitute "1 Dice/level of damage for sonic" with your favourite non-core feat, spell, or class and tell me whether one implies the other.