Why does Ice Storm suck?

[Xarlen]

Is it me, or does every spell that has to do with the elements and weather become a HIGHER level spell for Druids then it does Wizards?

Yet a Flamestrike, a big blaze of fire and holy power, is a level lower.

I just don't get it.

 

[IceBear]

Yeah, it's like the split the spell into two parts but left one part at 4th level (probably just because of historical precedent and the fact that 3rd level already had an over abundance of damaging spells). Unfortunately, the part they left at 4th level can't really be justified as a 4th level spell now that they split the spell.

IceBear

 

[hammymchamham]

Wizards get flame strike?

 

[Xarlen]

No, but you know what I mean.

Clerics get Water Walk, Druids Don't. Ice Storm is 5th level for Druids, 4th for Wizards.

Dont' get me started on Weather Control. :

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Wizards get flame strike?

Not flame strike specifically, but the point I beleive is that flame strike is a AoE DD spell which even exceeds the arcane 4th level damage caps.(and arcane is supposed to be better here, and overall is) but wierdly enough some natural element non DD spells the druid is worse at like sleet storm. And you'd think natural element/ spells liek weather based spelsl(sleet storm) the druid should be ebtter at because nature crap is the druids specialty.

 

[Xarlen]

My point more is that it's a BIG PILLAR OF GODLY FLAME.

WHere do you get *That* in nature? They just pull fire right out of their butt, and look, it's got divine power too!

They can pull Elemental stuff oh so easily... And then get Ice Storm later.

 

[IceBear]

Maybe they'll fix the Druid spelllist and recombine Ice Storm and Sleet spells in the revised addition

IceBear

 

[Storm Raven]

My point more is that it's a BIG PILLAR OF GODLY FLAME.

WHere do you get *That* in nature? They just pull fire right out of their butt, and look, it's got divine power too!

They can pull Elemental stuff oh so easily... And then get Ice Storm later.

If you really want to know the inspiration for Flame Strike, go back and read Exodus. Remember the phrase "pillar of flame" when you do.

 

[Xarlen]

Yes, but don't the pillar of flames usually come to the religiously bent? Ergo, Clerical?

 

[zorlag]

Ice Storm

Yeah, this isn't that great a spell, but neither is Fireball... Here is a D20 Modern version of Ice Storm, which I fully expect to become official D&D spell after the revision:

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).

- Now that it halves ground movement to half speed it becomes pretty nasty spell for wands and scrolls. It's surefire way to damage opponents short of SR and slows them up so that achers and you can keep pummeling at them even more. And long range is sweet as well.
Also note that extend spell will double damage as this spell has duration of 1 round... Extended version would work as lower-level version of blade barrier.

Z.