Most level 1 focus spells tend to be weaker than normal 1st-level spells, but I was looking at the Sun Domain's Dazzling Flash, and it looks legitimately on-par with 1st level spells. Compare it to Color Spray, which is quite similar to it, and in most cases, both spells will achieve the same effect. Not only that but Color Spray is already a really good spell, so getting that on a focus spell is a great pickup.
The thing that really made me go wow about Dazzling Flash, however, was the part where its area increases to a 30-foot cone! I would legitimately take this spell on my Wizard and cast it with 3rd-level spell slots if I could! And getting it back with just a 10-minute rest!? That's nuts! For the power this spell has, I'd expect it to unlock at level 8, but it comes at 1st level!
What's more is the multiclassing potential. I legitimately think this one focus spell is 100% worth two feats, no questions asked. Not only is it probably the best 1st-level focus spell, but it gives you an extra focus point for taking it!
"...in most cases, both spells will achieve the same effect."
Nope.
Stunned 1 & Blinded for a round is worse than rubbing one's eyes for an action to lose blindness (which is comparable to Stunned 1 alone).
Lose action (whether or not blinding bothers you), be blind for other two actions, then dazzled afterward.
Vs.
Use action (if blinding bothers you), dazzled afterward.
To pass the time in an easy battle without using too many resources, sure, it's a nice spell.
Whether Dazzling Flash dominates other focus spells is another issue. I'm partial to the 1-action or Reaction spells, as you might actually use those in tough battles.
The crit failure on Color Spray is also much worse for the victim.
Dazzling Flash is solid, but it only has the same effects as Color Spray on a success or crit success.
Ok, I'll give you that the 1st-level effect is worse than Color Spray, but the 3rd-level effect is still better than anything else at that level apart from Darkness + Darkvision, or maybe Wall of Thorns.
Dazzling flash is okay, it's definitely worth the actions to use. The problem is that some focus spells don't seem to be worth their actions. But at least the 1 action ones you can do while doing other things. Spell spot spells seem much more powerful to me, ones like blindness at least.
Blindness makes one target blind for a minute. Dazzling Flash hits everything in a 30-foot cone, or more if you have Widen Spell.
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Strill wrote: Blindness makes one target blind for a minute. Dazzling Flash hits everything in a 30-foot cone, or more if you have Widen Spell. Sure, and it maybe costs them an action. That's good, but it's not the same thing at all.
It costs each of them an action, and then they have to all pass a DC5 flat check in order to attack you for the rest of the fight.
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It's a nice debuff with the potential to hit quite a few enemies.
Color Spray is stronger, but needs to be cast from one of your top level spell slots to keep up (due to the incapacitate trait). This is a big downside, but also allows you to easily upgrade to more potent spells like Vibrant Pattern at higher levels.
Dazzling Flash has a material component and requires a free hand (or one holding a holy symbol or emblazoned weapon/shield). That's quite easy to achieve, but somethign to keep in mind.
It is definitely one of the more power- and useful domain powers. And it gets bonus points since its follow up ability isn't too bad either.
Blave wrote:
Dazzling Flash has a material component and requires a free hand (or one holding a holy symbol or emblazoned weapon/shield). That's quite easy to achieve, but somethign to keep in mind.
Where is this detailed in the book?
Elderpoot wrote: Blave wrote:
Dazzling Flash has a material component and requires a free hand (or one holding a holy symbol or emblazoned weapon/shield). That's quite easy to achieve, but somethign to keep in mind.
Where is this detailed in the book? p. 391 Dazzling Flash focus spell description
p. 303 under Spell Components > Material
p. 118 first para under Divine Spellcasting
p. 122 Emblazon Armament cleric feat entry
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