Vitriolic Sphere (Complete Arcane) Question

[Pyrex]

Hopefully aqua regia is easy to get

If it doesn't have a cost listed in the spell, it's assumed to be included in your component pouch.

Random Trivia Note (for those who're curious and didn't already know): Aqua Regia is a combination of (I think equal parts of) concentrated Hydrochloric, Nitric and Sulfuric acids. It's called Aqua Regia (Translation: Royal Water) because it's one of the few corrosives that will dissolve gold.

 

[shilsen]

After reading the spell several times (and discussing it at length in a previous thread) here's the interpretation we came up with.

Round 1: Take yer damage & make a Ref save to negate continuing damage.
Round 2: If you failed your Round 1 save, 6d4, Ref 1/2. Succeeding at this save negates Round 3 damage entirely.
Round 3: If you failed both your Round 1 and Round 2 saves, take 3d4, Ref 1/2.

That's precisely how I read it. I really don't see the ambiguity in the wording for the spell, but that's apparently just me

 

[Dimwhit]

Interesting. I'd probably rule that the initial save negates all damage, including the initial first round damage. But I agree it's poorly worded.

If I'm wrong, though, I disagree that it's underpowered. A spell that deals automatic damage in round 1 (no save) with no spell resistance? That's worth a 5th level spell for me easily.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I don't think it's particularly vague or poorly worded myself. It seems pretty clearly to indicate Patryn's reading. It could have been spelled out more explicitly but it's pretty clear the way its written.

However, I agree with Dimwhit's second statement. With that reading of the spell (which I should say is IMO, the only one supported by the text) it is not weak by any stretch of the imagination. Accounting for the saving throw, it deals about as much iniital damage on average as cone of cold does with a somewhat rarer damage type and is not subject to evasion. What's more, if the target fails the save, it reads like it's continual damage and inflicts another 9d4 damage over two rounds (save for half on each instance). Hit a spellcaster with it and he's not going to be casting any spells that round and he'll need a good concentration skill to do any the round after as well.

Interesting. I'd probably rule that the initial save negates all damage, including the initial first round damage. But I agree it's poorly worded.

If I'm wrong, though, I disagree that it's underpowered. A spell that deals automatic damage in round 1 (no save) with no spell resistance? That's worth a 5th level spell for me easily.

 

[Scion]

it is not weak by any stretch of the imagination.

I think it would still be better as a 4th or 3rd level spell really. Maybe shorten the range to medium to make it third level (and of course changing the maximum damage potential, but that is a matter of it being a different level spell).

Looking at 5th level spells there are things like Cloudkill (death to some, d4 con damage to others, 4x the area, can be used over a much longer duration and very interesting potential in dungeons) and waves of fatigue (instant fatigue to a bunch of people.. ouch).

At third it would be like a fireball with lower immediate damagewith no save, potential for some extra damage the next round, and a quarter of the area. Which would be like a upgraded melfs acid arrow.

 

[brehobit]

That's precisely how I read it. I really don't see the ambiguity in the wording for the spell, but that's apparently just me

I agree on all counts. I think the wording is quite clear.

 

[Dimwhit]

I just read the text in CA, and I do agree that there is no save for the initial damage. Everyone takes it. But a successful save negates the damage in the next two rounds.

I think it's a sweet spell.

 

[Ayrk]

In my opinion the poorly worded part is there is no reference to a save for the initial damage. If there was simply a sentence that said no save is allowed for the initial xd4 damage it would solve all of this. What threw me off was that I couldn't think of any area effect damage spell that didn't allow a Reflex save.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[cmanos]

Random Trivia Note (for those who're curious and didn't already know): Aqua Regia is a combination of (I think equal parts of) concentrated Hydrochloric, Nitric and Sulfuric acids. It's called Aqua Regia (Translation: Royal Water) because it's one of the few corrosives that will dissolve gold.

50:50 Hydrochloric and Nitric.

 

[Pyrex]

*goes & looks*

Yep. You're right. That's what I get for posting from memory.