Just a quick question; I'm digging through the SRD looking for a (preferably 3rd level or below) spell that functions similarly to Diablo III's Spectral Blades spell (never mind the audio or runes/skill abilities).
Really what I'm looking for is a close range blade spell, preferably that hits multiple opponents in close burst or "shotgun blast'. I've considered refluffing burning hands to be flaming sword slashes and the like, but if I can find a force (or specifically swords-ish) spell that functions similarly, that would be ideal.
Thoughts?
3rd party is okay, though I'd prefer to stick to Paizo.
There are very few force spells in the game unfortunately. You could potentially use spell research to create a spell like this, just use flame blade as a template.
There is Twilight Knife. Only hits one target, but it's only 3rd level and seems to fit.
Spiritual Weapon is also similar.
Mage's Sword is basically a higher level version of the same thing.
Blade Barrier can hit multiple enemies.
You could also reskin Diamond Spray, which is 3rd level and hits a 20 ft. cone.
If you're allowed to use the rules for designing spells, maybe you could create a higher-level version of mirror strike.
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Just a quick question; I'm digging through the SRD looking for a (preferably 3rd level or below) spell that functions similarly to Diablo III's Spectral Blades spell (never mind the audio or runes/skill abilities).
Really what I'm looking for is a close range blade spell, preferably that hits multiple opponents in close burst or "shotgun blast'. I've considered refluffing burning hands to be flaming sword slashes and the like, but if I can find a force (or specifically swords-ish) spell that functions similarly, that would be ideal.Thoughts?
3rd party is okay, though I'd prefer to stick to Paizo.
Reworking the enrichment text of burning hands to give you the feel of the spectral blades is likely the most direct solution to your question. If I were in your position, I would re-write it to the following:
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S
Range: 15 ft.
Area: cone-shaped burst
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: yes
A series of intersecting lines of force slash outward and away from the caster, cutting down creatures in their path. Any creature in the area of effect takes 1d4 points of force damage per caster level (maximum 5d4).
For balance reasons, changing fire damage to force damage is VERY strong. Fire is arguably the worst damage type for resistance, and force damage is the best type.
I think it should mechanically still be a fire spell, just reskinned as force knives. Because otherwise it's basically straight-up better than Burning Hands.
I think using that as a template would be good, but upping the spell level to 2nd would be an acceptable change. I agree that Force damage makes that spell much more powerful. 3rd level would be a little high I think, especially if you're capping it out at 5d4, when you consider other 3rd level spells capping out at 10d6 damage with large AoEs as well.
It's a bard spell, but chord of shards would probably be pretty close. No scaling, though.
Mirror Strike sounds like it's exactly the spell but it doesn't improve with levels or let you hit more than two things.
Mirror Strike
School transmutation; Level magus 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a shard of mirror)
EFFECT
Range personal
Target you
Duration see text
This content was created for the Pathfinder rules by Paizo Publishing LLC and is part of the Pathfinder RPG product line.
DESCRIPTION
You briefly alter the flow of time to split a melee attack into two attacks. Before the end of your next turn, when you make your next melee attack roll, compare the result to the AC of two opponents within your reach. If the selected opponents are flanking you, you gain a +2 bonus on your attack roll (and confirmation attack roll, see below). If you hit both enemies, you can deal half damage to each. Hitting only one opponent allows you to deal that opponent normal damage for your attack. On a critical threat, you can make only one attack roll to confirm the critical hit against both opponents. If you confirm against both, you deal half your critical hit damage to each. Your hit is a normal hit rather than a critical if you confirm against only one opponent. If you fail to use the effect before the end of your next turn, the spell ends.
I actually am allowed to make use of the designing spells rules, So at present I like the idea of essentially changing burning hand's fire damage to force damage, and upping the spell level to 2. However, would this spell still be a decent choice at second level, if all it does is change the damage type, or should I change it up further? (Say, increase the damage but lower the damage cap by a level? Maybe have the caster roll all the damage dice and allow them to allocate them to creatures hit, minimum one die per creature hit? Something to better differentiate it, and/or keep it relevant, I mean.)
Alternatley, bumping it up to d6's for a second level multi-target spell is still in line with the designing spells rules, however, this might be overpowered due to it being force damage and therefor hitting incorporeal creatures (albeit from within precarious charging range, and dealing only 3d6 damage at the level in which the wizard would first acquire it).
Or perhaps model it more after Burning Arc and reduce the damage to d4s instead of d6s? Though that's more added math than I'd prefer...
Sweep? Like a magic version of cleave?