Phantasmal Killer Scaling

[KingTreyIII]

So, heightening phantasmal killer seems to do absolutely nothing on a successful save. You cast a 10th-level phantasmal killer and on a successful save the target takes 4d6 mental damage.

Is that a mistake? I feel like that's a mistake.

[Moppy]

Often this type of spell does nothing on a successful save, so it seems OK to me. The 4d6 Frightened 1 on a successful save is really a bonus.

[Deriven Firelion]

Phantasmal Killer is a great spell even if success damage isn't heightened. It's a 4th level slot with no incapacitation trait save on the instant death part of the spell that does damage and adds a very helpful condition. If you critically fail you have a chance of outright dying and even if you don't die you're frightened 4 and fleeing.

Phantasmal Killer is one of the best 2E spells.

[Burntgerb]

Not all spells will be equivalent to other 10th level spells when they're heightened to that level. That's why you get them far sooner.

That said, if you're in the occult list Phantasmal Killer is definitely one of the best spells in your arsenal - and when you can first cast it at 7th level, 4d6 + frightened 1 on a save is close to what you'd get if they failed their save on a cantrip. It's also got great long range potential as well.

I think it might be a mistake to be heightening PK to 10th level and expecting it to keep pace or outperform the highest level spells.

[Captain Morgan]

Yeah, the debuffs are as good at 20 as 7th. But there's also basically better versions of the spell at higher levels: Phantasmal Calamity (AKA psychic nuke) and Weird.

[Blave]

That's intentional. The new 3rd level APG-spell Agonizing Despair is what your looking for if you want scaling damage + frightened on a successful save.