1001 Spells has ultrasonic ray, which is a sonic attack. There are quite a few good spells in it.
Just a question, but is your goal specifically an evoker, or a mage that blows stuff up?
Edit: Specfically I would then instead of the evoker consider a sorceror that was crossblooded between orc bloodline (published in orcs of golarion) and one of the elemental bloodlines or another that has an energy attack and a bonus to energy damage. You dont need a spell book full of spells to blow stuff up, and you will do more damage AND get your ray at first level if you crossblood orc and either elemental, or djinn or efreeti bloodlines. You could even go half orc and boost damage with fire spells which will help you blow stuff up with buring hands, scorching ray and fireball.
I believe the Wizard gets a ray attack at first level depending on the school you choose. Though, I could be wrong. :\
I believe the Wizard gets a ray attack at first level depending on the school you choose. Though, I could be wrong. :\
Straight Cojurers do, evokers get a mini magic missile instead.
Your experience may be different from mine, but how much time is your 12th level PC really going to spend casting 1st level spells?
If you really wanted to, you could buy a Metamagic Rod of Reach Spell and use it in conjunction with Shocking Grasp.
There's also the possibility of having your character engage in independent spell research to "discover" a third-party / 3.5 spell on your own. The fact that it's published should help to convince the GM that it's pretty much balanced.
Honestly, I have a "Core Rulebook Only" spell rule in my game, but I do allow my players to have their PCs do independent spell research to get access to spells from other sources (subject to my approval).
I removed a couple posts. Don't be jerks.
Again, please don't be jerks. Removed post.
Which doesn't go up in d6's per two levels of damage, and is still considered a 0 level spell, unless using the Heightened Spell feat. No. Not good enough.
How about Shocking Grasp with the Reach metamagic feat added for free (either with a metamagic rod or via the trait Magical Lineage)?
EDIT: Another possibility is to use the Words of Power subsystem, which has two ray-like level 1 spells (Shock Arc and Burning Flash).
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So you would rather have a ray that probably would max out at 5d6+30 that may miss and you have to worry about DR vs. a 5d4+35 attack that never misses and you only have to worry if they have Shield on? So we are talking 48 damage that probably only hits 75% of the time at best [I would probably take it to 50% given a 12th lvl wizards BAB] for about 36 points of damage vs. a guarantee of 48 points of damage.
You may want it for effect, but I don't see the logic. Besides, you have a perfectly good ray attack at lvl 2.
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Well, what about simply researching a new spell? You said your GM was only allowing base Pathfinder books, but that's in the Core rulebook.
Frankly, I'm glad that Pathfinder HASN'T been putting out tons and tons of largely redundant spells as was common in v3.5 materials. Once you've got the basics it is easy to adjust slightly to get a spell for any specific details you are looking for.
I think the reason that there are no 1st level energy ray spells in core pf are that ranged touch attacks start at second level and a 1st level ray spell would probably be better than scorching ray.
Reach metamagic shocking grasp is a good plan but take a look at words of power as well, they are a bit out of whack but still usable.
So, fellow pathfinders, why is it so hard to think outside of this box and officially publish by Paizo some alternative spells so that I (and anyone else that enjoys some risk) don't have to play kissy kissy face with the DM's derriere for something that's not published by Paizo?
Any ray-spell at first level would effectively replace the 2nd level ray spells, for one thing. For another, would it actually be in any way more useful than the existing spells?
You have burning hands, which is an area effect.
You have magic missile, which can't miss.
I can't see what a ray can offer next to them and not be unbalanced - except that it would look cooler.
If you do want to go third party, a kineticist (psion) or wilder from Psionics Unleashed by Dreamscarred Press would have a great energy ray which would be thematically what you seem to be looking for.
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Well, it doesn't offer crit damage like you're asking for, but have you looked at the Magical Lineage + Magic Missile + Toppling Spell Metamagic combo? It never misses for damage, and you get to roll to try and trip the enemy. And because of how MM works, you can have the missiles go after different targets, so you can try to trip up to five enemies with a single first level spell.
Have you asked if you can research spells?
Why not just play a wizard that specializes in Admixture? Then you can convert evocation rays to whatever element you want. Take metamagic feats to get the feel you want.
You can also specialize in any of the elemental schools.
Consider making wands that will also give you more rays, or ray like abilities. Take the Staff-Like Wand discovery and you can turn cheap wands into more powerful ones just by being awesome.
How about these spells:
non prd version of earpiercingscream
prd version of earpiercingscream
prd version of snapdragonfireworks
non prd version of earpiercingscream
Only real caveat is if the GM allows for Ultimate Magic spells to be used in the game. If not, there's still the evoker's force missile ability if all else fails.
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DR has no effect on ablating spell damage, unless it specifically says so like Diamond Spray. As for rolling to hit, yes. There is the chance that I'll crit and confirm the hit, allowing the dice roll doubled, and there are feats that allow more dice to be added to the first level spell (like Intensify Spell, etc.) that boosts it up even more. It's not just the fact it's a first level ray spell; it's the fact that it'll be actually useful in a "BOOM! Head-shot!" type of spell that's gratuitously fun.
However, I don't know of any spell that maxes out at 5d6+30... where does the +30 come from?
Also, range touch attack is your best friend.
Edit: I didn't think of asking to use the wordcasting subsystem. I'll broach the subject to him over the weekend.
1. Okay, I didn't mean DR, I meant energy resistances.
2a. 5d6 because all 1st level spells as they are writen right now max at 5d6. So you are probably looking at something that is 1d6 per 2 levels maxing out at 5d6.2b. the +30....I really can't believe I have to spell this out for you. Then Evoker bonus is 1/2 your level/die in bonus damage. So 12/2 = +6 x 5 = +30. Example: Shocking Grasp at 12th level = 5d6+30
3. So again, you want a spell that has a chance to miss for a 4% [5% x 75%] chance to double damage. Still don't see it.
4. Intensify huh? So how are you going to intensify this spell beyond 5d6? Say you can, you now are casting a 1st lvl spell as a 3rd level spell. WTF would you do that when you can just cast a 3rd lvl spell?
5. How are you going to design this spell? You can baseline it off of Shocking Grasp, but Shocking Grasp is touch spell with 1d6 damage/lvl in damage w/ a max for 5d6. Now you want that in a ranged attack. So how are you going to limit the spell so that it is now ranged? Only way I can see is that you make is 1d6/2 lvls. But what kind of range does that give you. I would make is close at best. This is supported by the fact that we are basically looking at a lvl 1 Scorching Ray and that is close ranged. So how are you going to Intesify this spell when it is already close range?
Meanwhile we still have Magic Missile with does more damage, always hits, doesn't have to worry about energy resistances, and has 4x the range.
You could always go with the Arcane Blast feat from the APG.
Arcane Blast
You can convert any spell into an attack.
Prerequisites: Arcane spellcaster, caster level 10th.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can sacrifice a prepared spell or unused spell slot of 1st level or higher and transform it into a ray, targeting any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. This attack deals 2d6 points of damage plus an additional 1d6 points of damage for every level of the spell or spell slot you sacrificed. 0-level spells may not be sacrificed in this manner.
Its not a spell but it would seem to solve your little problem.
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2b. the +30....I really can't believe I have to spell this out for you. Then Evoker bonus is 1/2 your level/die in bonus damage. So 12/2 = +6 x 5 = +30. Example: Shocking Grasp at 12th level = 5d6+30
Um... you might want to reread the Evocation School again. It's 1/2 your level per spell. Not per die. So that would be 5d6+6 damage for the Shocking Grasp in your example.
Guys. Really, why is everyone susggesting spells (namely magic missile) that he has already said no to? He wants a ray. Our job is to find some way to get it. Why, or the facts that better options exist, is irrelevant.
You don't like burning hands, so why not make burning rays?
Burning Rays
The caster spreads his fingers outs in front of him and fires several rays from his fingertips, targeting all creatures in a 15 foot cone in front of him. A single ray is fired at all creaures in the area, requiring a separate ranged touch attack for each. Each creatures that is hit takes 1d4 points of fire damage per level (max 5d4), with a reflex save for half.
It is functionally the same as burning hands except for the attack roll, which makes it weaker. Your GM can't argue OP, and it is essentially a spell in PF.
And just so you know, the way you handle yourself makes a big difference in how people react to you. You just came off as a little grating earlier, which might explain the testy mood.
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Got me Merkatz. Missed that. Still, same effect. MM is better.
@TheRedArmy - Just becaue someone doesnt' like something still doesn't mean that it isn't the best option. Basically any 1st lvl ray that we come up with is going to be inferior to MM.
As has been stated, if he wants it, he is going to have to make it. For example:
Lesser Scorching Ray
School evocation [fire]; Level magus 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect one or more rays
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance yes
DESCRIPTION
You blast your enemies with a searing beam of fire. You may fire one ray, plus one additional ray for every four levels beyond 3rd (to a maximum of three rays at 11th level). Each ray requires a ranged touch attack to hit and deals 2d6 points of fire damage. The rays may be fired at the same or different targets, but all rays must be aimed at targets within 30 feet of each other and fired simultaneously.
Done. Personally, I wouldn't give it 2d6, but what ever.
Edit: All my second level spells memorized are scorching rays, not the metamagic'd shocking grasp, so your assumption that all the second level rays are replaced by what I'm using is moot, Dabbler.
You miss my point. If you have a 1st level ray spell, what damage should you give it? Well, if a 2nd level ray does 1d6/level or thereabouts, 1st level will have to 1d4 per level, because you do not want to create a 1st level spell that is better than a 2nd level spell (at 5th level it would be 5d4 damage to scorching ray's 4d6 damage, more would be unbalanced).
In effect, you have the damage of burning hands, but not the area effect, and you could miss. I don't see what you stand to gain from that, really, over the spells available, except that it would look thematic for your character concept. I have no problem with that, if that's what you want, I just don't expect Paizo to produce such a spell.
In effect, you have the damage of burning hands, but not the area effect, and you could miss. I don't see what you stand to gain from that, really, over the spells available, except that it would look thematic for your character concept.
On the bright side, the range (if you make it 'close') is better, plus you won't allow a save for half damage, so I'd consider the whole thing a viable first level spell.
You miss my point. If you have a 1st level ray spell, what damage should you give it? Well, if a 2nd level ray does 1d6/level or thereabouts, 1st level will have to 1d4 per level, because you do not want to create a 1st level spell that is better than a 2nd level spell (at 5th level it would be 5d4 damage to scorching ray's 4d6 damage, more would be unbalanced).
In effect, you have the damage of burning hands, but not the area effect, and you could miss. I don't see what you stand to gain from that, really, over the spells available, except that it would look thematic for your character concept. I have no problem with that, if that's what you want, I just don't expect Paizo to produce such a spell.
As I noted before, there are two level 1 Words of Power spells that effectively work that way (1d4/level, can be used either as a ray or in a cone a la Burning Hands, depending on the target word used) -- Burning Flash and Shock Arc.
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Rays get little love in Core. The 101 line from Super Genius does a lot better, though. I would talk to your GM and see if you and him/her can create a 1st level ray spell for your character. Its easy enough to scale damage between the power of Ray of Frost and that of Scorching Ray (1d4 per level max 5d4, 1d6 per 2 levels, max 5d6). This might even start a side quest or something to recover a rare spell tome or something so that you can gain knowledge of this lesser known spell.
In effect, you have the damage of burning hands, but not the area effect, and you could miss. I don't see what you stand to gain from that, really, over the spells available, except that it would look thematic for your character concept.On the bright side, the range (if you make it 'close') is better, plus you won't allow a save for half damage, so I'd consider the whole thing a viable first level spell.
Fair enough, if you think it's viable.
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I have to agree with the OP post in the fact that I am unhappy with the selection of spells in alot of way.
I generally create themed casters. Say a Storm Mage. Well there is shocking grasp for a first level spells but really melee at 1st level OUCH!!! The next Electricity attack spell that comes to mind is what Lightning bolt a 3rd level spells. So until 5th level im stuck using shocking graps. Sure I can take Admixture school or Elemental spell feat but should I have to spend a Feat or choose an Archetype just so that I can have access to spells that fit my theme.
Sure Direct damage spells are not the most effective combat spells but they are FUN!!! Or at least I think so. I would much prefer to see a mixure of elemental spells (rays/Area of effects and touch attack) at each level.
If not that, why can't Scorching Ray be just "Elemental" Ray and when you learn it you select an energy type and from that point on it is Freezing Ray, Acid Ray, Shocking Ray, etc....
Magical Lineage Trait + Shocking Grasp + Reach Metamagic Feat = Shocking Grasp from 25 feet away as a level 1 spell, or cast it from 100 feet away as a level 2 spell. Is that enough direct damage ranged electricity for you until you pick up lightning bolt as a 3rd level spell?
Words of Power is an incredible boon to themed casters. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea and you lose versatility, but it's an awesome way to play an X-themed caster most of the time. Not only do you have a lightning spell for every level, but you have a bunch of lightning spells for every level. You can be a real lightning lord.
elemental bloodline sorcerers get scorching ray with its energy type changed to their element as a bloodline spell so i can't see how that would be an issue.
I am also not quite sure what the second level spell scorching ray has to do with the conversation other than a really good level 1 ray would make it a worthless spell.