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I was digging around trying to find the paradigm shift that let Witchwarpers change the damage type of their spells. I fell into a bit of a rabbit hole (as it turns out, I was thinking of a technomancer magic hack instead of a witchwarper thingy, whoops) and got to re-reading the lvl 1 Witchwarper-exclusive spell, Shifting Surge:
You touch a willing creature and affect one of its energy damage attacks or weapons, changing the energy damage type of one of its attacks to one other type until the end of your next turn. Even if you don’t change the damage, the next affected attack that hits deals 2d6 additional damage if it targets only one target, or 1d6 additional damage if it affects an area or multiple targets.The relevant bit here is "affect one of [the target's] energy damage attacks," and that that is specifically differentiated from weapons. So, does a spell that does energy damage qualify, here? The Spell Results section of the CRB has this to say:
Attacks
Some spell descriptions refer to attacking. All offensive combat actions, even those that don’t damage opponents, are considered attacks. Anytime you would need to make an attack roll to determine whether your spell hits a target, you are considered to be making an attack.
I think, from that reading, that spells that deal energy damage and require attack rolls definitely count as an "energy damage attack" for purposes of Shifting Surge. The first line ("offensive combat action") arguably includes even spells without attack rolls, like Explosive Blast or Magic Missile.
What do you think, Fora? Can a witchwarper cast Shifting Surge to turn their Space Acid Arrow into a Fire Arrow that does +2d6?What about changing a Space Fire Ball into an Icy Blast that deals cold damage, and +1d6 of it?
Could they do the same, but to turn an ally's Space Magic Missile into a Sonic Missile that does sonic damage +2d6 (or +1d6 if hitting multiple targets?)
If this works like I think it does, then a 300 credit Shifting Surge spell amp just became a really great thing for any spellcaster to carry a bunch of on hand! (For maximum cheese, carry one around in an auto-injector to self-buff as a Move action!)
I *think* that text in there is to cover energy damage natural attacks, rather than spellcasting. I can see your argument, but it seems like a bit of a stretch, at least to me.
I *think* that text in there is to cover energy damage natural attacks, rather than spellcasting. I can see your argument, but it seems like a bit of a stretch, at least to me.
As long as the spell has an attack roll, I can see it working/allowing it. Especially with 'anytime you need to make an attack roll... you are making an attack'. It is an attack that does energy damage. Balance wise, it's a second character spending a spell slot/item and a standard action to add a small amount of damage to another character's spell that might miss anyway.
Also note, that according to AoN, the spell does not have saving throw or spell resistance: harmless, instead it's no save, and spell resistance: yes. It probably doesn't work with a spell amp.
I also wouldn't allow it with spells that do not require an attack roll like explosive blast or magic missile, nor with spells requiring an attack roll, but no damage like dominate person.
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Balance wise, it's a second character spending a spell slot/item and a standard action to add a small amount of damage to another character's spell that might miss anyway.
The real utility of the spell here is to change energy type, which can be a real game changer, either for bypassing resistances/immunities, or hammering vulnerabilities. The damage boost is just a cherry on top, imo.
Also note, that according to AoN, the spell does not have saving throw or spell resistance: harmless, instead it's no save, and spell resistance: yes. It probably doesn't work with a spell amp.
Ugh, you are technically correct, and that kills me :D Just like Charming Veneer, this is very obviously a beneficial buff spell, which is exactly what spell amps are for. It borderline feels like an editorial miss that these aren't eligible for spell amps because of the Save / SR entries. (Yes I'm just grousing, but I think the point still stands :D)
I doubt the person being shot with the supercharged or shifting surged weapon feels like it is beneficial.