Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="RHGreen" data-source="post: 5887862">I'm okay with d4 damage if it's an at-will, but as a single shot spell I just don't think it's a viable choice. And if you look at Fireball, depending on edition, you are looking at a definite hit (half for save) and AOE and it is still D6 (though of course it is 3rd level - but still, that is pretty much covered by the level*D6). And don't forget if you have a fighter with a dagger with 50% hit chance he only has to attack twice to be as good as a magic missile. But he doesn't use a dagger. He uses bigger weapons and adds strength and gets to do it all day rather than your once. Like I said - a really bad spell - which is a shame considering it is so iconic.  If you look at pretty much any other 1st level spell, they are better than Magic Missile. Just look at the unimpressive Detect Magic spell. It could help you detect a magical object that otherwise you might miss and walk on by. A person is charmed or a door is magically locked. Read Languages could give you a clue that could be the making of a successful adventure. Even these are better than an absolutely definite hit with a dagger, once. If it was D12+Int Mod I might actually consider it more than a waste of a spell slot and you may only be doing 5-6 points of damage on a bad roll. At least top damage would be a mildly impressive 17.</blockquote>