Flame Blade Shenanigans

[Dansome]

1) Does flame blade allow iterative attacks?

I've seen a lot of arguments on this one. Is there a definitive answer?

2) Could flame blade benefit from improved critical?

3) If it can benefit from improved critical, presumably an augmented mythic flame blade would have a threat range of 10-20?

4) Would spell perfection increase the threat range from improved critical? (for a ray, if not flame blade)

Since it is not a set bonus, presumably no, but just making sure.

[SlimGauge]

I assume you mean the spell Flame Blade

1) Sure, why not ? The spell produces an immaterial scimitar that you wield just like real one. It's more like "Produce Flame" than your usual 'touch attack' spell.

2) Possibly. This is an identity question. Is the "sword-like beam" a weapon for the purposes of Improved Critical ? Expect table variation.

3) I avoid the mythic rules, no opinion.

4) No.

[Dansome]

One more question:

In the Flame Blade Dervish feat (from Paths of the Righteous), it states that you add Charisma to the damage of your flame blade. Would this portion of damage from flame blade benefit from empower spell?

Empower Spell wrote:

Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of an empowered spell are increased by half including bonuses to those dice rolls.

Saving throws and opposed rolls are not affected, nor are spells without random variables.

[Azten]

Yes, it would.

As for the Spell Perfection question... I'm not sure, but probably not. The increase from Improved Critical is not labeled as a "bonus to the weapon's critical threat range" or something like that.

[Ellioti]

Do oracles worshipping Sarenrae get Flame Blade as the cleric does?

if we're talking shenanigans: Be a Shaman with the Waves Spirit and the Beckoning Chill hex. Be also a VMC Evocation/Admixture Wizard. Hex your enemy and attack him with your Coldflame Blade. You get 1/2 level damage due to Intense Spells and the enemy is entangled with every (non-resisted) hit. Alternatively, cast Rime Flame Blades.

Dazing Flame Blades are also fun.

[Rysky]

Ellioti wrote:

Do oracles worshipping Sarenrae get Flame Blade as the cleric does?

Nope.

[SlimGauge]

Ellioti wrote:

Dazing Flame Blades are also fun.

I don't think that works. The spell does not do direct damage. It creates an "item" (the immaterial flame blade) and that flame does damage by virtue of you wielding it.

[KainPen]

1) yes

2) I think so, but the threat range would be 19-20, the txt say it wielded as a scimitar, (thus subject to proficiency rules. weapon focus ext and even improved critical scimitar) but is not a scimitar. it's damage is special and is 1d8+x(fire), it does not even do Slashing or str damage. It is not like spiritual weapon which has txt that reads "and has the same threat range and critical multipliers as a real weapon of its form." thus flame blade users standard critical range of all other magical based touch attacks which is 20. evidence to support this also is found in txt of mythic version of the spell which actual give it the range of a actual scimitar 18-20. meaning 15-20 with improved critical and mythic version of spell.

3) Mythic games = rocket tag. It been a while since I looked at mythic rules, but yes you could benefit. Feel free to correct me on this any one. because my recollection of mythic rules are rusty. I think 2-3 mythic points total to even cast the spell. which is a lot to buff flame blade. (this is where I could be wrong) 1 mythic point is automatic just to cast a mythic spell (also cost you your swift action I think). Then to spend further points to spend additional mythic points which is 2 for spell to get natural threat range of 15-20 before feats, (if I am wrong it flat 2 points) which is still fair amount to get 10-20 critical range with 2d6+X fire weapon. most possible damage is 4d6+40, which is small at level 20 mythic tier X. I also think you have to burn mythic feat to get the spell at tier 1, or archetype ability (maybe that was from play test) and another normal feat. Either way it is tiny compared to mythic vital strike as feat. which does not cost use of action or any mythic points.

4)I don't think so because it is not a set numerical bonus feat. it varies based on weapon type and critical range. the feats given in examples actual have a set number like +1 to X or +2 to X.

[Dansome]

SlimGauge wrote:

Ellioti wrote:

Dazing Flame Blades are also fun.

I don't think that works. The spell does not do direct damage. It creates an "item" (the immaterial flame blade) and that flame does damage by virtue of you wielding it.

AFAIK, you don't need to do direct damage with a flaming blade. You simply need to do damage "with the spell". It's still a spell at all points (ie, no instantaneous duration).

[Ellioti]

Dansome wrote:

SlimGauge wrote:

Ellioti wrote:

Dazing Flame Blades are also fun.

I don't think that works. The spell does not do direct damage. It creates an "item" (the immaterial flame blade) and that flame does damage by virtue of you wielding it.

AFAIK, you don't need to do direct damage with a flaming blade. You simply need to do damage "with the spell". It's still a spell at all points (ie, no instantaneous duration).

for the same reason it is affected by spell resistance.