Point Blank Shot and Ray Spells

[candidus_cogitens]

Point Blank Shot gives an extra point of damage, in addition to a +1 to hit, as you all know. How would this work for a spell like Ray of Enfeeblement? Does it do an extra point of Strength damage? Does it add a point of normal damage, even though the spell does not normal deal any normal (HP) damage? Or does it simply give +1 to attack rolls and no bonus damage?

More generally, do you think it is useful for a wizard to take Point Blank and Precise Shot feats? On the plus side, it would increase the wizard's effectiveness in casting some spells AND in normal attacks, with a crossbow for example. On the minus side, there are other feats that might arguably be more useful to a wizard, given the fact that a wizard is never going to be your best archer anyway.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

i'm sure there are other feats that people would argue to be better for a wizard, but for one who uses a lot of ray (or other Range Touch Attack) spells, i think it's a great option - with Precise you'll never accidentally hit your run-towards-the-danger types (while you're staying away from melee combat)

AND with the wizards poor BAB, it does help with crossbow shots when they're out of spells, or don't have the best spells for wahtever situation they're in

i don't believe Point Blank would add anything to ray of enfeeblement since it doesn't deal hit point damage

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Ray of Frost, Ray of Enfeeblement, Melf's Acid Arrow, Lesser Orb of ..., Flame Arrow, Fireball (sometimes), Disintigrate . . .

Which ones am I leaving out?

 

[kreynolds]

Point Blank Shot gives an extra point of damage, in addition to a +1 to hit, as you all know. How would this work for a spell like Ray of Enfeeblement?

You would get +1 to your attack roll.

Does it do an extra point of Strength damage?

I'm inclined to say no. Ray of Enfeeblement doesn't deal any damage.

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Prismatic Spray!

Oh, and of course, there's always the old Alchemist's Fire or a flask of acid!!

 

[kreynolds]

Ray of Frost, Ray of Enfeeblement, Melf's Acid Arrow, Lesser Orb of ..., Flame Arrow, Fireball (sometimes), Disintigrate . . .

Ray of Frost - +1 hit and damage
Ray of Enfeeblement - +1 hit
Melf's Acid Arrow - +1 hit and damage
Lesser Orb of... - +1 hit and damage
Flame Arrow - +1 hit and damage
Fireball - nothing (You don't make the attack roll against the person you want to hit with the fireball. You make the attack roll against the "opening") EDIT: See later comments on this.
Disintigrate - +1 hit and damage

 

[kreynolds]

Prismatic Spray!

Prismatic Spray is a Cone, not a Ray, and doesn't require an attack roll.

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Thanks Kreynolds.

Would you say it makes a decent feat choice?

One of the other reasons I am considering taking these feats is that my wizard is an elf. I like to try to "play the race" as well as playing the class, and of course playing the character. It would be nice to be a fairly decent elf archer, just because it characterizes the race so fittingly.

 

[aliensex]

I don't think you would get any kind of damage bonuses on a Ray. I mean, do you get double damage on a crit? If the spell specified this, then I suppose you could allow it.

 

[Caliban]

I don't think you would get any kind of damage bonuses on a Ray. I mean, do you get double damage on a crit? If the spell specified this, then I suppose you could allow it.

Yes, you can do double damage on a crit with a Ray spell.

Makes Enervation really nasty.