1) Blast damage only apply to the primary targets of spells. On spells that are area of effect, only the target I "click" on takes the Blast damage?
2) What happens if I aim on the ground, so the spell don't hit my allies or myself? Will the Blast damage trigger on who?
3) That means, even tought this can be powerful at distance, at close range the warlock can't use Ice Storms at max potential without targeting himself (if he choose to do so, the blast damage won't trigger, as he would beed to aim on the ground)?
If the spell still checks for SR, it will be blocked by a Spell Mantle. A single scroll can help someone engage the warlock melee and nullify a good portion of the possible "overwhelming" potential being discussed. High Spell Resistance would also limitate their potential even if the spell is given at a lower level.
- 32 SR means 50% chance of landing it at lvl 22 (or at 18 with Greater Spell Penetration feats).
- Against the Spell Resistance, from Druid and Clerics (that everyone uses), a Warlock with Spell Penetration would have a 50% chance to penetrate if the caster levels are the same.
While I can see it's power in PvE, it can be worked arround in PvP with some easy. And an important note is that this spell hits EVERYONE in the area, what would be tricky to use with allies. And yet, as a spell being cast, it could be counter spelled....
I would say that I would not be very excited to earn it as a final prize at lvl 28. Good, no question, but the drawbacks are huge also.
Now, if it was something to fit a Demon/Devil theme more, like a fiery rain....
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
As for the DR, I wouldn't say it's a bad thing. Just drop the HD back to 6. Critical damages still can bypass it and if worries are about the PvP aspect: a good weapon master build will crit 40~50% of the time for 100+ damage...
They may have close to the DD DR, but they when comparing, they lack:
-Good Fort Save
-Tons of HP
-Sneak Attack immunity while fighting
-Good AB
-Defensive Stance
-Good ale
And you can aways go WLK12/DD28... =P