Why is Polar Ray an 8th level spell?

[Elethiomel]

Why is nobody pointing out that ER counts thrice against Scorching Ray?

 

[Gloombunny]

Why is nobody pointing out that ER counts thrice against Scorching Ray?

Because you aren't reading everyone's posts?

 

[Will]

Elethiomel is correct for sufficiently large values of zero...

 

[kreynolds]

Disintegrate is also untyped damage - nothing resists it, unlike polar ray. AND, if you're reduced to -10 hit points (or 0 for undead/objects), guess what - you're turned to powder! No other spell does anything even remotely similar. Having a save in addition to the ranged touch attack is definitely justified in this case, IMO.

Oh, I completely agree. Just wanted to make sure you did too.

 

[moritheil]

Elethiomel is correct for sufficiently large values of zero...

Priceless.

 

[Rystil Arden]

I failed my save vs. mentioning Psionics.

It's basically already a perfectly balanced 1st level Power... except the Power is better. :\

Cheers, -- N

To be fair, augmented 1st-level Psionic Powers aren't good standards by which to judge spells (unless you consider the augmented power to be a spell level commensurate to its cost), lest we wind up saying that all the Summon Monster spells are worse than a 1st-level power. Other than Globes of Invulnerability, I tend to like the low tier damaging powers better than a lot of the high level ones anyways.

 

[moritheil]

consider the augmented power to be a spell level commensurate to its cost

Seconded.

 

[darthkilmor]

To be fair, augmented 1st-level Psionic Powers aren't good standards by which to judge spells (unless you consider the augmented power to be a spell level commensurate to its cost), lest we wind up saying that all the Summon Monster spells are worse than a 1st-level power. Other than Globes of Invulnerability, I tend to like the low tier damaging powers better than a lot of the high level ones anyways.

For someone who doesnt have any psionics books, can you explain what you just said in 50 words or less?

 

[moritheil]

For someone who doesnt have any psionics books, can you explain what you just said in 50 words or less?

Allow me. Psionics allows you to augment your "1st-level" powers to deal as much damage as your higher level powers. However, doing so makes them cost as many power points as your higher level powers. Thus, you are giving up the same amount of power resources. In most cases an augmented power still isn't as good as an actual power of a higher level (easier saves, more restrictions, or slightly smaller damage dice.)

It's roughly analogous to heightening a fireball spell, and then comparing that to DBF.

 

[Rystil Arden]

moretheil's explanation is solid, but I can do it in fewer words, thanks in no small part to the fact that thanks to the SRD, there is no such thing as not having the psionics books.

Explanation.