Source Occult Adventures pg. 180
School transmutation; Level arcanist 5, magus 5, occultist 4, sorcerer 5, wizard 5
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components S, M (blank parchment or magic scroll; see text)
Effect
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Reflex half, see text; Spell Resistance yes
Description
When you cast this spell, you quickly tear a parchment into shreds, releasing the flying fragments to swarm around a target creature and deliver thousands of tiny paper cuts. Using normal parchment, the spell deals 1d6 points of magical slashing damage per caster level (maximum 15d6).
If you use a magic scroll as the material component, choose one of the spells stored in the scroll. If the spell is 1st level, you can choose to apply the effect of that spell to the parchment swarm’s target on a failed Reflex save (if the spell on the scroll has its own saving throw, the target then attempts that save as normal). If the spell on the scroll is at least 2nd level, you can choose to instead change parchment swarm to affect a 20-foot-radius spread instead of a single target.
How is this supposed to work?
1) If you use a non-scroll parchment, you get the normal 1 target spell effect. This much is clear.
2) If you use a scroll with a lvl 1 spell, you get to add said lvl 1 spell as a rider onto the Parchment Swarm. a) What is the caster level of the added spell, yours or the scroll's? b) Does the scroll have to be an attack spell, or could you use a scroll of say "Burst of Insight", and make the target dazed for a round? (note that normally burst of insight is a personal spell) How about spell that effects willing creatures - say "Seren's Swift Girding", to put the opposing wizard in a suit of platemail?
3) If you use a scroll with a lvl 2 or greater spell, are you A) forced to make an area effect from the Parchment Swarm (and without getting a rider spell from the scroll itself), B) Can choose between having a rider spell or making an area effect, or C) it's intended that you get both the rider effect and the area effect (ie everyone in the 20' radius suffers the Parchment Swarm and the spell from the scroll as a 2nd effect).
4) If 3c is the appropriate interpretation, what happens to scrolls that have a maximum number of targets or HD affected? Say, slow or heightened sleep. Is everyone affected as if by a single spell, or do they each get their own instance?
5) Does the scroll need to be one that you can cast yourself? If so, what if you have UMD?
*****
My thoughts:
2a) The spell says you can "apply the effect of that spell" immediately after it says to choose one spell on the scroll. To me, that implies that they're affected as if you cast the scroll on them. I'd say use the scroll's CL and DC for the added effect.
2b) While it's not stated, I would assume that standard targeting rules apply. The spell just doesn't work on things you couldn't normally use it on. You shouldn't be able to use this to cast charm person on an animal, shrink item on a giant, or burst of adrenaline on someone that isn't you.
The spell effect rider should work exactly as if you had successfully cast the spell from the scroll. It will be the caster level of the scroll, use the standard saving throws from magic item as if you cast it from the scroll, and has to target appropriately just as if had cast the spell from the scroll. The only real difference are the range of the spell is replaced by the parchment swarm range (and a reflex save) and you don't need any caster level or UMD check to activate.
The 2nd level+ conditional lets you "choose to instead" so it is either a spell effect is applied or a larger area. 'Instead' makes it clear that it is not both.
2a) "choose one of the spells stored in the scroll. If the spell is 1st level, you can choose to apply the effect of that spell to the parchment swarm’s target"
Clearly, the spell from the scroll is the source, so it acts as if you cast from the scroll yourself. I.e. use the scroll's DC and CL.
2b) The Parchment Swarm spell makes no restriction on the scroll, so it can be anything.
3) You only get to choose a single spell from the scroll. If that spell is a 1st level spell, you can make it a rider. If it is 2nd level or greater, you can affect the Parchment Swarm spell's targeting instead. You cannot get both a rider and an AoE.
4) While 3c is out, 2 is still in play. The rider only affects the target of the Parchment Swarm spell. It cannot affect additional targets. If the target has too many HD, then the rider spell fails.
5) Your ability to cast the 1st level spell is not required. The scroll's spell is not cast. It's effect happens.
I'm having trouble picturing aa time I'd intentionally learn or prepare parchment swarm. Same damage as fireball but generally two levels higher and single target without the extra expense of a level 2 scroll, Reflex half and spell resistance is the same, it just seems like a waste of a fifth-level slot.
The only two use cases I can see for it are far too situational to bother with:
scroll of 1st level touch spell with no save allowed (because if you have 5th level spells, your target's pretty likely to save against a 1st level scroll DC 11) that you absolutely must deliver at range
no elemental area spell (fireball, cone of cold, chain lightning) will work, but for some reason, a "slashing fireball" is perfect.
Anyone willing to explain what the use of the spell is?
Anyone willing to explain what the use of the spell is?
I think one obvious one is being able to cast from a scroll that you normally couldn't use. A wizard with a scroll of faerie fire to outline an invisible foe for instance.
A second one is touch spells at range. Even the humble shocking grasp isn't bad and a CL5 1st level scroll you make yourself isn't too expensive. Having a bunch of different options (different energy types for example) means preparing the one Parchment Swarm Spell can be useful for many enemies.
I'm not saying it is the best 5th level spell out there, but it certainly has uses.
I did mention touch spells at range, but didn't think about crafting them at higher than minimum CL, which could make them more useful - especially shocking grasp, yeah.
Anyone willing to explain what the use of the spell is?
I think one obvious one is being able to cast from a scroll that you normally couldn't use. A wizard with a scroll of faerie fire to outline an invisible foe for instance.
A second one is touch spells at range. Even the humble shocking grasp isn't bad and a CL5 1st level scroll you make yourself isn't too expensive. Having a bunch of different options (different energy types for example) means preparing the one Parchment Swarm Spell can be useful for many enemies.
I'm not saying it is the best 5th level spell out there, but it certainly has uses.
Although I find the spell underpowered as well (it has to compete with some of the best combat spells in the game: Suffocation, Icy Prison), another way to look at it is that it's a free quicken&reach spell ... which is pretty good. It's even better if you a caster with the False Focus feat, which allows you to ignore spell components under 100gp = 1st level scroll of caster level 4 (lots of versatility there!).
Good for this: Frostbite (requires a GM ruling about targeting), Shocking Grasp, Burst of Insight (requires a GM Ruline about targeting), Ill Omen, Ray of Enfeeblement, Touch of Gracelessness (mesmerist 1), adhesive spittle (requires a GM ruling about targeting),
Also, combining this spell with the ability of Improved Scroll Casting from the Scrollmaster wizard archetype. You cast a scroll based on your own CL, Int score and relevant feats for the DC. Thus at level 10 you could lob Parchment Swarm, tear up a 12.5 GP (cost to craft) Shocking Grasp, and deliver 10d6 Slashing damage and 5d6 Electricity before applying any metamagic rods or what not.
Since you use your own feats as a 10th level Scrollmaster, you might be dropping a spell rider with increased damage or spell DC. Also, if you use a rider that carries a "to hit" roll like Shocking Grasp, do you still have to roll that? If so, I suppose you'd also apply any feats that modify that attack for you, like Point Blank Shot for a ray spell.
Although I find the spell underpowered as well (it has to compete with some of the best combat spells in the game: Suffocation, Icy Prison), another way to look at it is that it's a free quicken&reach spell ... which is pretty good. It's even better if you a caster with the False Focus feat, which allows you to ignore spell components under 100gp = 1st level scroll of caster level 4 (lots of versatility there!).
It would be a quicken+reach version of a touch spell, yes, but only if you pay a cost of 2-3 spell levels and cast a specific spell with your standard action. If it was "free", Parchment Swarm's damage and targeting would put it at a 3rd-level spell at most.
As for False Focus, I don't think that would work. Sure, you don't need to tear up the 1st-level scroll, but then Parchment Swarm's line about "choose one spell on the scroll" means you get no benefit. This bit would take some GM ruling, but my reading
Mark Hoover 330 wrote:
Also, combining this spell with the ability of Improved Scroll Casting from the Scrollmaster wizard archetype. You cast a scroll based on your own CL, Int score and relevant feats for the DC. Thus at level 10 you could lob Parchment Swarm, tear up a 12.5 GP (cost to craft) Shocking Grasp, and deliver 10d6 Slashing damage and 5d6 Electricity before applying any metamagic rods or what not.
Except that would (probably) only work if your GM says you're casting the scroll - which would block some of the cross-class stuff others have brought up.
It seems like a pretty versatile spell that is actually different from lower level blasts.
When you need a single target blast, you can use a CL5 level 1 scroll to deal 9d6 slashing and 5d6 lightning damage. That's an empowered fireball :D But also you can cast it to do area damage if you need to.
Is a scroll that contains an intensified shocking grasp a level 1 scroll or a level 2 scroll?
Is a scroll that contains an intensified shocking grasp a level 1 scroll or a level 2 scroll?
The description of metamagic says "this does not change the level of the spell" (when talking about requiring a higher-level slot.)
Parchment Swarm says "if the spell is 1st level" and "if the spell on the scroll is at least 2nd level". Both instances talk about the level of the spell, not the scroll, so use the non-metamagic level for determining effect.
So for a mere 500 gp (level 10 intensified shocking grasp), at level 10 you can throw a 20d6 (save for 5d6) single target spell. That seems like it would be worth a level 5 slot. At the very least I might sometimes want to do this instead of throwing an empowered fireball if I was building a blaster.
So for a mere 500 gp (level 10 intensified shocking grasp), at level 10 you can throw a 20d6 (save for 5d6) single target spell. That seems like it would be worth a level 5 slot. At the very least I might sometimes want to do this instead of throwing an empowered fireball if I was building a blaster.
It's OK, but expensive. Compare to a Icy Prison for the same level:
On a failed save, target is out of the fight barring a large strength check or special power (with concentration check for the continuing damage) or someone else rescueing them, further they are taking 10 hp cold damage every round, which will catch up with 20D6 in 7 rounds.
On a successful save, target is entangled (an effective debuff) and is also taking 10 hp cold damage every round, which will catch up with 5d6 in 2 rounds...
So for a mere 500 gp (level 10 intensified shocking grasp), at level 10 you can throw a 20d6 (save for 5d6) single target spell. That seems like it would be worth a level 5 slot. At the very least I might sometimes want to do this instead of throwing an empowered fireball if I was building a blaster.
It's OK, but expensive. Compare to a Icy Prison for the same level:
On a failed save, target is out of the fight barring a large strength check or special power (with concentration check for the continuing damage) or someone else rescueing them, further they are taking 10 hp cold damage every round, which will catch up with 20D6 in 7 rounds.
On a successful save, target is entangled (an effective debuff) and is also taking 10 hp cold damage every round, which will catch up with 5d6 in 2 rounds...
That without burning 500 gp of consumable.
Debuff spells better then blasting, news at 11 :p
That being said, icy prison is defeated by cold immunity (maybe?) and freedom of movement. Parchment Swarm can target varied weaknesses and dead is a strong condition. Not saying its better but I can see a place for it.
That being said, icy prison is defeated by cold immunity (maybe?) and freedom of movement. Parchment Swarm can target varied weaknesses and dead is a strong condition. Not saying its better but I can see a place for it.
Except half the damage is always going to be slashing, and "magic slashing" damage is going to be blunted by quite a few types of DR you'd run into when you can cast 5th-level spells. When blasting, this spell doesn't "hit weaknesses", it actually runs the risk of being reduced by multiple resistances.
Also, SR. There are (by my reading) separate rolls for both this spell and the scroll, so that's really going to buff a lot of enemies' defense against this.
With that said, yes it can blast more strongly than 1d6/CL. It's just expensive to do and works on a smaller subset of enemies than the standard spells.
I'm having trouble picturing aa time I'd intentionally learn or prepare parchment swarm. Same damage as fireball but generally two levels higher and single target without the extra expense of a level 2 scroll, Reflex half and spell resistance is the same, it just seems like a waste of a fifth-level slot.
The only two use cases I can see for it are far too situational to bother with:
scroll of 1st level touch spell with no save allowed (because if you have 5th level spells, your target's pretty likely to save against a 1st level scroll DC 11) that you absolutely must deliver at range
no elemental area spell (fireball, cone of cold, chain lightning) will work, but for some reason, a "slashing fireball" is perfect.
Anyone willing to explain what the use of the spell is?
I'm playing a arcanist right now. Most of my spells are control spells or debuffs, rather than damaging spells. Parchment swarm is part of my regular rotation. I like it partly because it makes my mage distinct. Fireballs and lightning bolts are pretty darn common; assaulting your enemies with a thousand paper cuts is something a little different. Unless my GM is running an ultra-optimized-to-kill-players adventure, I'm willing to sacrifice optimization for a little style.
I've also found that the flexibility is handy. In various configurations I can deliver damage just to one opponent, or spread it out among several opponents if I'm willing to sacrifice a scroll. Also ... the spell has no verbal components, so it's useful against those inconsiderate nasties who pack silence spells.
