[T&B] Spell Specialization

[Li Shenron]

Just thinking about developing a Wizard character and not having T&B here...

Does Spell Specialization add +2 damage to the total damage or to each damage die from spells of the type chosen?

 

[kreynolds]

It only adds +2 to damage within 30 feet to ranged touch spells.

 

[MorganKiller]

What happens if you cast lesser acid (fire/sonic/whatever) orb?

Since you roll to hit with every single orb, do you get the +2 damage bonus for each attack (as weapon spec. with a bow)?

 

[DM2]

My understanding is that the +2 damage bonus only applies to one chosen orb from the bunch...similar to the way such things worked with the old 3.0 shuriken rules (throw 3 at once with 3 rolls, but it only applies to one of them).

Perhaps someone with their books in front of them and access to the FAQ and eratta can give us the final ruling though (my work firewall blocks wizards.com).

DM2

 

[Li Shenron]

It only adds +2 to damage within 30 feet to ranged touch spells.

I thought it was necessary to choose between SS(Ray) or SS(Energy Missile).

 

[kreynolds]

I thought it was necessary to choose between SS(Ray) or SS(Energy Missile).

It is, but you'll have already chosen before you take the feat. It's in the prereqs already [Weapon Focus (ray or energy missile)].

 

[Li Shenron]

It is, but you'll have already chosen before you take the feat. It's in the prereqs already [Weapon Focus (ray or energy missile)].

Ok, but I just wanted to be sure it not only a possibility for Rays.

So, in both cases it is just a +2 to the total damage, and has nothing to do with the number of dice of damage? Even with energy missile?

 

[kreynolds]

Ok, but I just wanted to be sure it not only a possibility for Rays.

No problem. It was a good question.

=So, in both cases it is just a +2 to the total damage, and has nothing to do with the number of dice of damage? Even with energy missile?

Yup and (I would assume) yup.

 

[Li Shenron]

Ok, thanks.

My general opinion on the feat is that it looks relatively week exactly because of this. +2 to total damage would be fine at lower levels when a spell does 1 or 2 dice of damage, but becomes quite minor when spells deal a lot of damage at higher levels. I think Weapon Focus (for a type of spells) is generally better.

But for a moment I dreamt I was wrong and instead it applied to each die of spell damage. In which case I think it would be definitely too good instead! It would give about the same benefit as Empower spell, without increasing the spell level.