What's the best direct-damage spell to use against a foe with uber saving throws?

[Tewligan]

Well, Blade Barrier sticks around after its initial damage, making it possible to bullrush someone back into it for another batch of razor-y goodness.

 

[Matafuego]

Can you do 15d6 with Telekinesis?????

 

[Enkhidu]

If you're talking a long combat, the spell you're looking for might actually be Mordy's Sword (or Mage's Sword in the SRD). 4d6+3 damage per successful strike (very likely, considering the attack bonus is caster level + INT/CHA mod), which is pretty much equal to one scorching ray, but will last for at minimum 13 rounds, can be directed at different opponents, and allow the caster to continue with other spells while it whacks away. Not a bad package if you're expecting a slugfest or lots of enemies.

 

[reiella]

Scorching ray seems to be a winner.

You know, I was half-expecting someone to mention a spell from the new Player's Guide to Faerun. Don't tell me there aren't any smackdown spells in there

Hehe, the spells in general are tame and just rehashes of 'Old Spells'. Nothing particularly memorable in it, unforunately. Well except that it's save or die spells are still Save or Die and not Save or Massive Damage...

I'd suggest Prismatic Eye for 'cheesy spell of the week' from PGF though. 6th level spell, summons an that you can control that fires out prismatic sprays (it randomly determines which of the 7 colors to use, and once used up, it's well used up). Save DC of 19 when applicable at least. Still... It's a bit cheesy, especially given that prismatic spray is 7th level .

But again, honestly, I think scorching ray is the best bet for this spell .

Closest subsequent spell I can think of would be Firebrand. It creates class level number of 5 ft bursts that deal CasterLevel d6 (max 15d6) each. Stacking them doesn't increase damage however. [For a nice, Ref half/SR applic feat]. Further you can empower it (to fit the 7th level minimum), giving you an average damage of [15d6 + 15d6/2] ~= 78.75 per burst.

If it's a particularly large creature (well, like say, 10 ft square, you can hit him with 4 bursts - etc). You can deal -alot- of damage. And if you really need to be evil, take Elemental Substitution it to work as you need.

Ok, I've found my new evil spell of the day... "Oh hello mister dragon. Why don't I just learn you elemental vulnerability here and ... oooh lookey, sonic smackdown pain."

[ Add ]
Alas, some sanity may be found in Errata. One creature can only be affected by one such burst... So while it may be evil, it isn't "OBLITERATE THE HUGE CRITTER" evil. Just "OBLITERATE THE MASSES" evil .

 

[beaver1024]

You could try Bead of Karma, Good domain power, Spell Enhancer (Players Guide to Faerun) and 3 Orange Ioun stones for a Holy Word that will kill everything within 40 feet. that is equal to or lower than your level. No saving throw involved.

 

[Nifft]

Cloudkill. It deals Con damage, and a Fort save only halves the damage. If your opponents have lots of HD, Cloudkill will do a lot of HP each round.

Evard's Black Tentacles is another good one. No save, just a grapple check.

Holy Word may slow them down.

The various Bigby's Hand spells don't allow saving throws.

-- N

 

[Falling Icicle]

Yeah Cloudkill is awesome. Simply throw up a Cloudkill and then put up a hemispherical Wall of Force around him. Unless he has dispel magic, disinitigrate, mordenakinen's disjunction or a rod of cancellation on him, he's screwed.

And since you said 7th level or lower, here is an exceptionally cruel tactic of mine that I'm willing to share with you. First cast Limited Wish to lower his saving throw against your next spell by 7. Then follow immediately with a Quicken Phantasmal Killer or Finger of Death on the Following round. Yeah, it's 300 exp, but it sounds like this bad guy is worth it.

Am I evil or what?

 

[Azalnubizar]

I always liked Enervation.
Make it empowered Enervation at your caster level (if the creature isn't immune to enervation or would benefit from it, like a construct).

After one or two empowered enervation you don't have to worry about the creature automatically making saves for your spells anymore...

Furthermore, if the creature is a spellcaster it will loose spells...

Azal

 

[BigAlzBub]

Ahhh.....Enervation, it is such a loverly spell, you should also remember that it also causes an opponent to lose 5 hit points per negative level gained, just remember to destroy the body of any creature you kill with negative levels otherwise it becomes a wight.

 

[shilsen]

Ahhh.....Enervation, it is such a loverly spell, you should also remember that it also causes an opponent to lose 5 hit points per negative level gained, just remember to destroy the body of any creature you kill with negative levels otherwise it becomes a wight.

There's some disagreement about whether the above is true. The text of the enervation spell does not mention losing hit points though the reference to energy drain and negative levels in the DMG does.