Help with a spell

[Nicolai Withander]

I was in the library last night, in the restricted section, and I read something rather odd about a rare piece of magic. It’s called as I understand it; "Arcing Death" I came across the spell while reading and I didn't fully understand it.

Arcing Death
Evocation [Electricity]
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft.+ 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets: 1 target
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes
One of the more unpleasant spells in the lightning specialist’s arsenal, this potent attack spell surrounds a target with several coruscating bands of electricity that deal 1d8 points of damage per caster level to the target, with a Fortitude save for half damage. In addition, the target is knocked unconscious for 1 round per caster level if the Fortitude save is failed, and is stunned for 1d6 rounds even if the Fortitude save is successful.
Material Component: A copper wire shaped into a ring.

Now, as I see it, only something immune to electricity will not be effected by the stun. Can someone elaborate on this please?

[cwslyclgh]

I don't recognize the spell from any pathfinder source that I have available... I doubt that I would allow it in my games as it seems poorly designed and over powered (no maximum damage cap, automatic multi-round stun even on a successful save 1 round/level unconsciousness on a failed save making this spell essentially save or die... etc)...

On the other hand if spell had did a maximum of 15d8 electrical damage, and the save resulted in 1d6 round stun on a failed save or 1 round dazed on a successful save I would let it in with no problems.

[Lamontius]

*puts on his wizard hat*

Tallyho!

*ahem*

Quite, well yes, I believe this spell could be removed from the Restricted Section if the stunning components were altered, as cyshwghtrrchl...erm, cwwywlslghahlslgh...um, as this other chap mentioned.

[cwslyclgh]

That's pronounced C. Wesley Clough :)

[Lamontius]

Well met!
Sir L. Lamontius Lamontius, Esq. III at your service!

[mplindustries]

...

Is this an in character question about a rule that...actually isn't a rule because the spell is made up?

It hurts where my thinks come from.

[Nicolai Withander]

Its from Encyclopedia Arcane(Evocation). The question was not so much wether or not to use it, but how it worked. Especially how the stunning worked and how you could awoid the stun effect.

[cwslyclgh]

From the Moongoose E.A. series of books?

Like many of the spells in that series this spell is poorly thought out and poorly designed... no GM with half a brain would allow this spell in his or her game as written.

As written I don't think that immunity to electricity would prevent the unconsciousness/stun portion of the spell because it doesn't say that the spell has to actually do damage for that aspect to take effect (another aspect of the poor design IMO)... I think the only way to avoid being stunned (at the very least) by it is to have the caster fail to overcome your SR.

[Isil-zha]

If were to rule on this (well I guess I wouldn't allow it in the first place but lets assume I didn't bring my brain the day the player asked me)

not taking any electricity damage, due to resistances/immunities, natural or otherwise, would be sufficient in my book to not be affected by the stun.

Immunity to stun obviously does the trick as well.

[Nicolai Withander]

Yes indeed a mongoose product.

You basically said what also was my own take on this spell. Its getting clear that this might be a "broken" spell. Would any of you like to have this spell as a player?

[VRMH]

Quote:

Targets: 1 target

What?

Can you target a mountain then, if you're near enough?

[mplindustries]

Nicolai Withander wrote:

Yes indeed a mongoose product.

You basically said what also was my own take on this spell. Its getting clear that this might be a "broken" spell. Would any of you like to have this spell as a player?

Everyone would like this spell as a player--nobody would want this spell used on them--and no GM would want it in their world.