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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Moleculo" data-source="post: 1396508" data-attributes="member: 1201">By straightline, I mean that the bolt must travel in a straight line, which it has to. Also, it has to originate from the spell caster.This scenario still doesn't garauntee a straightline between more than 2 targets. This is assuming that they even close the fighters and engage them specifically. If they remain at range, then the lightingbolt is even less useful for reason sited above. This is one of the areas where Fireball excells. It starts out about 4 times the range of lightning bolt.  Well, the same goes for anything with fire resistance too? And since fire resistance is "more common" than lightning resistance, this would be a point for fireball. But doesn't the fact that you don't need very competent companions make fireball better? It seems worse to make the assumption that you're comerades are competent and that the enemy is not. We need to evaluate the spell in something close to a vacuum; any lines of argument requiring an outside actor or force to boost its worth is less useful in terms of looking at the power of the spells. I was using hyperbole.My arguement is that fireball is a better spell, minus the energy type, on the grounds that it is easier to use. Easier = better. A fireball has a longer range, doesn't require enemies to run in a straight line, and is easier to use since its area is easier to use. I guess my problem with your arguement is that the scenarios seem insanely artificial; it requires basically consenting/unintelligent enemies, ample planning for battles, ample room for maneuvering, and very competent fighters. With all these assumptions, there is no way one can argue that lighting bolt, not accounting for the energy difference, is a better spell. Still, your campaign may favor the lightning bolt, since it all depends on the DM's encounters and all.</blockquote>

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