Would Enervation be a solid choice for Spell Perfection? Let me preface this with saying that in our game we've banned Dazing Spell (along with Dazing Assault and Stunning Assault)... I'm feeling like a Quickened Enervation followed by a Maximized Enervation would be pretty potent (especially for a couple of 4th level slots), but at the same time I feel like I'm leaving something on the table by using a spell that doesn't allow a saving throw, considering Spell Perfection's benefit of doubling DC bonuses. It also goes against my general rule of reserving Spell Perfection for multi-target spells.
What do you think?
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Unless you face a lot of things that are resistant to it, I'd say Enervation is a great choice. Boss monsters tend to have great saves, but ennervate them a few times (especially if you're maximizing it) and the rest of your group can just mop them up. If you're facing lesser opponents, just use your other spells! There are lots of spells and spell combinations that can take care of mooks, but precious few that can steadily wear down bosses.
Unless you face a lot of things that are resistant to it, I'd say Enervation is a great choice. Boss monsters tend to have great saves, but ennervate them a few times (especially if you're maximizing it) and the rest of your group can just mop them up. If you're facing lesser opponents, just use your other spells! There are lots of spells and spell combinations that can take care of mooks, but precious few that can steadily wear down bosses.
What are some things that would be resistant to it - or are you referring to Spell Resistance in general?
The only anecdotal use of Enervation as a 'Perfect Spell' was by a fellow gamer who apparently used it to great effect against the final BBEG in Rise of the Runelords. I imagine the spell is particularly devastating to casters... would Dispel Magic remove its effects?
Spell resistance, and I think things that immune to negative energy (undead).
It's a solid choice, I think. Spell resistance isn't that big a deal if you play and Elf and take Spell penetration. Enervation is a low enough spell slot to be metamagiced up the wazoo while still being powerful enough to be a good, spammable tactic.
Spell resistance, and I think things that immune to negative energy (undead).
It's a solid choice, I think. Spell resistance isn't that big a deal if you play and Elf and take Spell penetration. Enervation is a low enough spell slot to be metamagiced up the wazoo while still being powerful enough to be a good, spammable tactic.
The more I think about it, the better an option it seems as an 'off-school' spell... meaning that if I'm running a Conjurer or Transmuter and spending my Spell Focus feats for that school, making this my Perfected Spell would give me another effective way of dealing with foes.
Right now its between this and Suffocation for a Void Mage I'm working on. Suffocation fits the theme a little better so I'm torn.
Could work. I'm running a standard buff/control/summon conjurer, and I do notice that I'm low on "direct damage" spells. There's not a *ton* on the spell list that lets you deal with a single, powerful enemy-- the kind that you would assume would save against your zone spells and wouldn't view your summons as anything but a speedbump. Enervate seems to be to be a pretty terrific way of doing that.
Suffocation could work as well-- I'm just wondering about the utility of hitting Fort saves at higher levels. Plus, save or die spells just tend to be less fun in general. The GM will likely be tempted to fudge his saves in really "climactic" encounters because "I win initiative and suffocate the dude" isn't really that much fun. Evervation is a lot more group friendly, as was previously mentioned.
Hm.
If I'm reading Enervation right, even if you drop a caster 10 levels he won't lose any prepared spells meaning he won't lose the ability to cast those spells. So it looks like Enervation for the brutes and a pocket Feeblemind for casters?
I'll tell you, it (Maximized/Empowered/Quickened) could neuter a dragon or demon/devil right quick, that's for sure.
Would Threnodic Spell allow it to work on undead or does the fact that its negative energy trump all?
Hm.
If I'm reading Enervation right, even if you drop a caster 10 levels he won't lose any prepared spells meaning he won't lose the ability to cast those spells. So it looks like Enervation for the brutes and a pocket Feeblemind for casters?
I'll tell you, it (Maximized/Empowered/Quickened) could neuter a dragon or demon/devil right quick, that's for sure.
Would Threnodic Spell allow it to work on undead or does the fact that its negative energy trump all?
He will lose caster levels though. That'll throw a big monkey wrench into blaster builds (and a lot of NPC wizards will be blasters, I'd think).
Looks like it does. That might be over-specializing, though.