Ray of Enfeeblement any good?

[Kershek]

So let me get that straight. A 1st level spell (ray of enfeeblement) can cause you 7 Str loss, but a second level one (bull's strength) can only get you 4 back? And they last the same amount of time? Is there something wrong with this?

 

[Someone]

Cure light wounds heal up to 1d8+5, and Magic missile deals up to 5d4+5.

 

[Gilwen]

Easier to hurt than to heal grasshopper

Bryan

So let me get that straight. A 1st level spell (ray of enfeeblement) can cause you 7 Str loss, but a second level one (bull's strength) can only get you 4 back? And they last the same amount of time? Is there something wrong with this?

 

[Kershek]

Magic missile deals 5d4+5 at 10th level. Ability damage is different than hit point damage.

 

[frankthedm]

Higher-level stuff? Let's see:

An Empowered ray of enfeeblement counts as a 3rd-level spell and does 1.5x(1d6+5), or 9-16 points, of Str penalty.

EMPOWER SPELL [METAMAGIC]
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of an empowered spell are increased by one-half.
Saving throws and opposed rolls are not affected, nor are spells without random variables. An empowered spell uses up a spell slot two levels higher than the spell’s actual level.

only variable numerric is the 1d6 from they way it looks.

makes more sence since a maximise would net you only a maxed d6 as well

 

[wraith8]

I have a level 17 wizard with specialty in necromancy..... I empowered my ray of enfeeblement 4 times, making it a level 9 spell. 1d6 x 3 3-18+5 sometimes dropping 23 strength from a target..... Quite powerful, dont you think?

 

[Lord Thurham]

I have a level 17 wizard with specialty in necromancy..... I empowered my ray of enfeeblement 4 times, making it a level 9 spell. 1d6 x 3 3-18+5 sometimes dropping 23 strength from a target..... Quite powerful, dont you think?

Run that math by me here, I'm trying to understand the nuts and bolts behind how it became a 1d6x3+5 by empowering it 4 times.

In any case, it's definitely a nice spell, but now it's a 9th level spell with a first level saving throw. Right?

(Don't tell any of my players this secret, this could be their next weapon!)

LT

 

[Kershek]

You can't do multiple empowers in 3.5.

 

[wraith8]

Whoops!

 

[Caliban]

only variable numerric is the 1d6 from they way it looks.

makes more sence since a maximise would net you only a maxed d6 as well

Check out the example with an Empowered Magic missile. The +# is part of the expression and is multiplied as well.