Stat damage spells

[mikebr99]

Hi there,
I have a Sorcerer in the party who is trying to specialize in stat damage... rays and touch spells etc. He just hit 4th level, and has chosen Ray of Stupidity (SC) for his known spell.

He is also talking about picking up lesser Shivering touch and Shivering touch (FB) at his earliest...

The more I look at these spells... and compare them to what is in the PHB.. I'm concerned that Stat damage - as opposed to stat penalties - is just too good (broken) to allow into the game.

I am considering to allow a Will save to Ray of Stupidity... if and only if the damage is enough to take the target below 1 INT. Thoughts?

Now... the shivering spells... which are very vague... YMMV
a successful touch attack (no save, but SR applies) makes target "shiver" for duration (1rd/lvl). Shivering characters take 1d6 (lesser shiver, 3d6 shiver) of DEX damage.

Does the stat damage go away when the spell expires? I think so... but then this sounds like temp damage?

Would temp damage stack with itself... if multiple castings of shivering touch hit the same target? A wizard can't benefit from multiple false life's...

Anyone else contemplated and/or completed changes to stat damage spells?

Thank you,

Mike

 

[dog45]

Multiple castings of Shivering Touch stack because it is ability damage. Just like multiple castings of Fireball, er...stack.

 

[Infiniti2000]

The more I look at these spells... and compare them to what is in the PHB.. I'm concerned that Stat damage - as opposed to stat penalties - is just too good (broken) to allow into the game.

I agree with your assessment and feel the same way about the core stat affecting (non-damaging) spells like touch of idiocy and ray of enfeeblement.