Why does Ice Storm suck?

[IceBear]

It is probably because the third level characters stayed around until they killed all of the orcs, how do you think they got to level 10?

Buy doing other stuff than "vacationing" in the Black Hills

IceBear

 

[Plane Sailing]

The only problem with Plane Sailing's house rule is that it makes the 3rd level spell "Sleet Storm" redundant. I think I'll go with the d20 Modern version.

IceBear

Which, in my opinion, it is

 

[IceBear]

Which, in my opinion, it is

Yeah, I would either go back to your modifed 2nd Edition version (and get rid of Sleet Storm) or use the one from d20 Modern. As I suspect the one from d20 Modern will be the revised version that's why I'm going that way.

IceBear

 

[der_kluge]

You know, I never thought this thread would go into 4 pages, but I am comforted by the fact that at least some others agree with me.

Yes, we are getting into House rules, and the HR suggestions for Ice Storm have all been very good. I also do like the suggestion that these nature-related spells all show up in the Druid spell list.

I *have* seen some house rules that have Bull's strength, etc, IN the druid spell list, which I have applied to my own house rule. I think, in addition to increasing the effects and/or damage of the spell, that it should go in the Druid spell list.

 

[green slime]

Then Icebear, perhaps you feel the same way about Haste? That the D20 Modern variant is what is due?

 

[IceBear]

Well, *if* haste gets modified I wouldn't be surprised if the d20 Modern version is what they use (or something similar). I do remember that d20 Modern magic is supposed to be weaker than D&D magic, so it is possible that haste in d20 Modern is too weak for D&D (dunno - I haven't really looked at it too closely, but I could see them doing that).

With respect to Ice Storm, it is pretty weak for a 4th level spell, so the d20 Modern version helps give it a power boost without nullifying Sleet Storm. That's all I was saying.

IceBear

 

[hammymchamham]

I happen to like Ice Storm. Then again I only had one Mage who casted it, and he was an Elemental Savant (Fire) and would fire substitute it.

Me: I cast Ice Storm, SR?
DM: (If no SR) No, and no save grumble grumble

Of course, my saves where insane. I got him up to 9th or 10th level, and hist Fireball save was 25

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Also, there are more monsters vulnerable to cold then to fire.

Really?

PLUS, fireball incinerates combustibles, and ice storm does not. So, you could use fireball to burn inns down (if you felt so inclined).

And if you're in that inn...

And not only are monster resistances more common as you go up in levels, monster saving throws increase faster than spell save DCs.

Are you sure about this? Many monsters have cruddy saving throws.

What the heck is Ice Burst?

Does the impact damage effect creatures with DR?

Nope.

The extra 2d6 points of damage is nice when the evil cleric casts Protection from Cold (and note, he is is -not- weak against fire when he does so), but it isn't really that great without metamagic.

D20 Modern Ice Storm

Ice Storm
Evocation [Cold]
Level: Arcane 4; Components: V, S, M; Casting Time: Attack action; Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level); Area: Cylinder (20-ft. radius, 40 ft. high); Duration: 1 round; Saving Throw: None; Spell Resistance: Yes
Hail falls for one full round, dealing 3d6 points of bludgeoning damage and 2d6 points of cold damage to creatures in their path. Listen checks made within the ice storm’s effect take a –4 penalty, and all ground movement within its area is at half speed. At the end of the duration, the hail disappears, leaving no aftereffects (other than the damage inflicted).

 

[der_kluge]

That's interesting that they replaced the "impact" damage (which is an anomaly, anyway) with bludgeoning damage, which makes more sense.

 

[green slime]

I'm in the process of designing a new campaign, and I was looking for odd weak/strong spells, so I was really glad for the heads-up about the D20 Modern spells. I hadn't really bothered to look at them. I'll definitely be implementing D20 Ice Storm... and probably even D20 Haste. Players will only be pleased should the revised PHB contain a more powerful variant...

In general they (the D20 spells) seem to be better editted for such mistakes; impact//bludgeoning damage.