Low-level Emanation Damage Spells?

[Fatespinner]

Reading a thread about swarms and such, I just realized that there really aren't any good low-level area effect spells that center themselves on the caster. By 'low-level' I mean 5th level or less. Sure, there's things like fireball but if a caster is surrounded and drops one on himself, he's just as likely to kill himself as he is his opponents (unless he's got some kind of energy resistance/immunity going on). What I'm looking for is an area-affecting spell, maybe a 10 or 20 ft. radius, that is CENTERED ON THE CASTER and will not harm him if cast (though it may still harm allies in the area). I know sunburst works this way, but that's like a 7th or 8th level spell (and I think only works on undead and evil outsiders). It doesn't make any sense that wizards capable of casting fireball can't come up with a more limited range spell useful for slaying irritating swarms of melee attackers. Is there any such spell in existance? If not, what kind of things do we need to consider in order to CREATE such a spell? Thanks!

[shamgar]

A great spell for that is Fireburst which is a second? level spell from the Spell Compendium which does damage to all within 10' at 1d8 per level.
I'm guessing there are others as well, but I know at least of that one.

[Sebastian]

There's an obnoxious spell in the Book of Vile Darkness that does 2d20 damage (yes, that's right two-D-twenty) in a 100' burst. Come to think of it though, I think it does damage to the caster as well. It's evil and probably has some horrendous material component.

[Sebastian]

The various cone spells (burning hands, color spray, etc) are generally pretty good for close range combat.

[Fatespinner]

Sebastian wrote:

There's an obnoxious spell in the Book of Vile Darkness that does 2d20 damage (yes, that's right two-D-twenty) in a 100' burst. Come to think of it though, I think it does damage to the caster as well. It's evil and probably has some horrendous material component.

Yes, I do recall this spell. I believe it is also a full-round cast. Dance of Ruin if I recall correctly.

[Fatespinner]

Sebastian wrote:

The various cone spells (burning hands, color spray, etc) are generally pretty good for close range combat.

Yes, but I'm specifically looking for something that hits ALL SIDES simultaneously, not just a cone.

[Fatespinner]

shamgar wrote:

A great spell for that is Fireburst which is a second? level spell from the Spell Compendium which does damage to all within 10' at 1d8 per level.

I'm guessing there are others as well, but I know at least of that one.

Hmm... this sounds like what I'm looking for. Spell Compendium, you say? I don't have that one. I wonder if it's reprinted from somewhere else? I might need to check my Complete Arcane when I get home.

[Moff Rimmer]

Fatespinner wrote:

Hmm... this sounds like what I'm looking for. Spell Compendium, you say? I don't have that one. I wonder if it's reprinted from somewhere else?

Here are a few options you might want to look up. I don't have the time to look up the individual spells, but from the title, they might be what you are looking for.

Fireburst & Fireburst, Greater can both be found in Spell Compendium, Complete Arcane, and Miniature's Handbook

Energy Vortex can be found in Spell Compendium and Complete Divine

Negative Energy Aura can be found in the Planar Handbook and Spell Compendium

Sandblast can be found in Complete Divine and Spell Compendium

Quill Blast can be found in Complete Divine and Spell Compendium

Maw of Chaos can be found in Magic of Faerun and Spell Compendium

Malevolent Miasma/Igedrazaar's Miasma can be found in Magic of Faerun and Spell Compendium

Magic Miasma/Mystra's Miasma can be found in the Player's Guide to Faerun and Spell Compendium.

Reaving Aura, Death's Call, Karmic Aura, Karmic Backlash and Karmic Retribution can all be found in Complete Mage.

Divine Interdiction, Eye of the Hurricane, Heat Drain, and Lion's Roar can all be found in Spell Compendium only.

Again many of these may not be quite what you are looking for, but I hope that some of them are useful.

[Fatespinner]

Moff Rimmer wrote:

A big list of spells and the books they're found in.

Wow... I'll look into those, thanks. I have all the books you mentioned except for the Spell Compendium, Planar Handbook, and the Miniature's Handbook, so I should be pretty well covered. Awesome!

[Thanis Kartaleon]

Indeed, Fireburst is 2nd level and affects creatures in a 5 ft. radius. Greater Fireburst is 5th level and has double the range with a higher damage cap.