Mass
Level all 1; Cost 2
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
The spell affects up to one target per level of the caster,
no two of which can be more than 30 feet apart.
Small Burst
Level all 2; Cost 3
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
The spell affects all targets in a 10-foot-radius burst.
Simply put, why would you want to use a Small Burst rather than a Mass spell? Mass spells avoid targeting allies, can be used at 1st level, have a wider area and longer range, and a lower cost.
A small burst (10 ft radius) hits 12 squares. See page 215 of the Core Rulebook. A burst can also hit things you can't see, which you can't target with a "mass" spell since you don't know for sure where it is.
A small burst (10 ft radius) hits 12 squares. See page 215 of the Core Rulebook.
Oh, duh. I was thinking diameter rather than radius. That makes more sense XD
A small burst (10 ft radius) hits 12 squares. See page 215 of the Core Rulebook.Oh, duh. I was thinking diameter rather than radius. That makes more sense XD
Don't feel bad. I thought the same thing all through 3.0 until I saw a diagram of the effect in 3.5.
Because there are seven targets and I'm only caster level 5.
Think about some of those words you can boost to "any target word" too -- by changing to burst instead of mass you can get more creatures affected than what would be limited to your caster level.
Don't feel bad. I thought the same thing all through 3.0 until I saw a diagram of the effect in 3.5.A small burst (10 ft radius) hits 12 squares. See page 215 of the Core Rulebook.Oh, duh. I was thinking diameter rather than radius. That makes more sense XD
Lol XD
I guess the way it works though, once you reach 10th level Small Bursts will still become obsolete (because you can target everything that can fit into a small burst with a Mass spell). At least up till that level they will have uses.
Also, a few effects can only be Bursts, or at least, cannot be Mass.
If Small Burst was allowable on level 1 spells I think it would see a lot more use, since from caster levels about 1-3 it probably does represent an ability to hit more opponents than a Mass spell.
Pretty much, when you can use Mass, its probably your best choice. Good area, range, cheap, and most importantly its selective, so theres no worry about firing it in to melee with friendlies. Or even at point blank centered on yourself.
bursts are a great way to damage unattended objects as well as targets in the area.