Spellblast (sp) - Eldtritch Theurge

[diggerariel]

My warlock / sorcerer is about to qualify to become an Eldritch Theruge, & I have a question about the Spellblast ability that's gained as a 3rd level ET. Here's the description from the Complete Mage:

Spellblast (Sp): This invocation (Lesser; 4th; Eldritch
Essence), learned at 3rd level, allows you to place an arcane
spell that affects an area upon your eldritch blast. If the eldritch
blast hits its target, the spell's area is centered on any corner of
the target's space, even if the spell could normally be centered
only on the caster. If the eldritch blast misses its target, the
spell is lost with no effect.

It takes a full-round action to cast the spell and fire the
eldritch blast. Only an area spell with a casting time no
greater than 1 standard action can be placed upon your
eldritch blast.

Only the first target of your eldritch blast is affected by the
spell (for example, an eldritch chain spellblast centers the spell
on the initial target, not on any of the secondary targets). If
your eldritch blast doesn't specify a target, you can't apply this
invocation to the blast.

Treat spellblast as a spell whose level is equal to the area spell
placed upon the eldritch blast (minimum 4th level).

SO, I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts or ideas (or experience) about the spells that would be maximized the most when using the Spellblast ability? If possible, please give a level by level breakdown of at least a few spells per level. Since I'm a sorcerer, I really, really have to select my spells wisely. Books that can be used are the PH, any of the "Complete" books for 3.5 as well as the Spell Compedium (which I realize repeats most of the spells from these same books). If you could explain why you feel a particulary spell (or spells) would work fantastically with this ability, then that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Also, I don't know why it's not clicking with me, but what do you think are some of the coolest featues or uses of this ability that you can think of? In other words, is (or CAN) this ability really be THAT powerful?!?!

Thanks for your help......

 

[frankthedm]

Fireball is a fairly obvious choice. Ice storm is ok if you have foes with evasion. Glitterdust is a nice Damage and blinding combo. Obscuring mist i believe fits the bill for an area affect centered on the caster. Sadly the spell compendium Energy Vortex is Cleric/Druid only.

The ability is powerful because you are basicly getting a quickened eldrich blast along with the spell.

 

[Nightstorm]

Fireball is a fairly obvious choice. Ice storm is ok if you have foes with evasion. Glitterdust is a nice Damage and blinding combo. Obscuring mist i believe fits the bill for an area affect centered on the caster. Sadly the spell compendium Energy Vortex is Cleric/Druid only.

The ability is powerful because you are basicly getting a quickened eldrich blast along with the spell.

What makes it quicken?

 

[frankthedm]

What makes it quicken?

That you are sending out an Eldritch blast and an area effect spell at the same time maybe?

 

[Pyrex]

Which isn't quite as good as Quicken since it takes a full-round action to use the ability.

OTOH, there's also nothing stopping you from using a Spellblast then casting a Quickened (or Swift-action casting time) spell in the same round.

 

[frankthedm]

Which isn't quite as good as Quicken since it takes a full-round action to use the ability.

Something a spontaneous caster would have to do if he was even allowed to use quicken in the first place.

OTOH, there's also nothing stopping you from using a Spellblast then casting a Quickened (or Swift-action casting time) spell in the same round.

And that is another boon, you are not using up your swift action for that round.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Hmmm, I don't know.... That ability doesn't appeal to me. Kinda reminds me of the Arcane Archer's Imbue Arrow ability (which sucks IMHO)

 

[avr]

Grease for the ghostbusters feel (it slimed me!).

 

[Nightstorm]

So lets see if I get what this invocation is about. Take Fireball
Fireball is an area affect (20') and has a range of 400' +40' a level.

By combining this spell with the invocation you
1. Add the damage of the blast to the spell (to the person targeted only. all others still get the fireball damage.
2. Being able to target any cornor of the target's square, you are able to direct better where the spell goes off.
3. the downside is that you dont get the range of the spell since now it's part of the invocation, it's distance is shorten.

Am I right?

what I dont understand is where the invocation states that you can target the caster. What does that mean? What spells would that include?

 

[Pyrex]

Not quite.

When casting Fireball you can already pick the intersection where the fireball is centered.

Spellblast lets you
a) Smack the target with your Eldritch Blast
and
b) Set off a fireball from an intersection of the target's square

for the low, low cost of a Full Round action.

The 'targets the caster' bit means you can change the origin point of spells that are normally centered on *you* to be centered on the *target* of your Eldritch Blast.