Silver darts Spell

[The Keeper of Wadjet]

Why is this even a 3rd level spell? It's next to useless.

[Korlos]

Silver Darts. Good question. Seems like it should have an area comparable to fireball to start with, plus some other benefit to counteract the 50% damage clause. Seeing as it's an instantaneous conjuration spell, SR:no would make sense.

[jbadams]

It would be pretty good against anything with DR/Silver and low armour, and it isn't terrible if they have the DR and the armour. Probably not the best choice of spell against targets without DR/Silver.

[The Keeper of Wadjet]

At best, I've done only 1/2 damage.

[CampinCarl9127]

This is not a rules question. Flagged to be moved elsewhere.

[Gilarius]

As written, it would be a very powerful level 2 spell. Too powerful. So, into level 3 it goes. Where it is a very weak spell.

Better to have written it without the reduced effect clause, whereupon it would be a useful alternative to fireball because of the cone.

On the plus side, it could be used by a Spellslinger wizard since it is a better area of effect than a Lightning Bolt and Fireball can't be fired through their gun.

[jbadams]

The Keeper of Wadjet wrote:

At best, I've done only 1/2 damage.

Not useful to you personally does not mean not useful at all, and if you're using it on the correct target the spell is far more effective than many level 2 spells; if you're not encountering the type of enemy the spell has full effect against then perhaps it was a poor choice of spell.

I think it would be a better level 3 spell without the second armour-based restriction, but even as written I don't think level 3 is necessarily incorrect.

[Diego Rossi]

You want up to 10d6 damage with a area spell? it is level 3+.

PRD - Designing spells wrote:

Table: Maximum Damage for Arcane Spells
Arcane Spell Level Max Damage (Single Target) Max Damage (Multiple Targets)
1st 5 dice —
2nd 10 dice 5 dice
3rd 10 dice 10 dice
4th 15 dice 10 dice
5th 15 dice 15 dice
6th 20 dice 15 dice
7th 20 dice 20 dice
8th 25 dice 20 dice
9th 25 dice 25 dice

It being a silver piercing weapon generally is an hindrance but against specific enemies it is a benefit, sometime a strong benefit.

I am not fond of the "direct damage conjuration spells aren't subject to spell resistance" trend. That is a big advantage, so unless the damage is really inferior to a equivalent evocation spell it shouldn't be applied.
50% damage against a subset of targets isn't inferior enough to warrant that kind of benefit. (fireball is useless or do inferior damage against a subset of enemies, lightningbolt against a different subset and so on, so it is not something that affect only this spell)

[Fourshadow]

Neutered vs werewolves/crocs/bears, vamps and probably several others due to the armor stipulation--hate it. Perhaps is should keep the SR, but drop the armor neuter?! It's also only a 15' cone--not so good in that respect either.

[The Keeper of Wadjet]

jbadams wrote:

The Keeper of Wadjet wrote:

At best, I've done only 1/2 damage.

Not useful to you personally does not mean not useful at all, and if you're using it on the correct target the spell is far more effective than many level 2 spells; if you're not encountering the type of enemy the spell has full effect against then perhaps it was a poor choice of spell.

I think it would be a better level 3 spell without the second armour-based restriction, but even as written I don't think level 3 is necessarily incorrect.

Sad thing is, I have been using it on creatures that are affected by silver and I've done half damage at best. All the restrictions have made it an all but useless spell. It's WAY too restrictive and very underpowered. I've leveled up and got rid of it.

[Diego Rossi]

Fourshadow wrote:

Neutered vs werewolves/crocs/bears, vamps and probably several others due to the armor stipulation--hate it. Perhaps is should keep the SR, but drop the armor neuter?! It's also only a 15' cone--not so good in that respect either.

PRD wrote:

Any creature with an armor bonus greater than +4 or a natural armor bonus greater than +4 takes 50% less damage.

Actually it is neutered vs werewolves wearing armor giving a +5 or better bonus as their natural armor value is +4.