Spell damage update

[malcolm_mountainslayer]

Absolutely brilliant!

It makes blaster characters with limits slots have a lot more creative freedom with all their slots to try opening up damaging spells at beginning of encounter, but doesn't massively upset the PvP or PvE balance (since the ones with the bigger buffs have friendly fire too, etc)

Something I would like to point out, do we need to retune any of the shadow evocation spells to be more in line? For those illusion focus lovers.

[Kenji]

Can you list out specific examples of the shadow/illusion spells you mentioned, their subspells, damage thresholds, and suggested new damage thresholds?

[Skarain]

...What spell damage update? Since when?

Ps: Shadow Evocation/Conjuration spells (etc) can not be empowered, maximized or extended, which does limit their usefulness. It is probably a mechanical reason, but pointing out it nonetheless. I was frustrated by it when I tried to make All-Illusion Sorcerer.

[Skibbles]

...What spell damage update? Since when?

Ps: Shadow Evocation/Conjuration spells (etc) can not be empowered, maximized or extended, which does limit their usefulness. It is probably a mechanical reason, but pointing out it nonetheless. I was frustrated by it when I tried to make All-Illusion Sorcerer.

I missed it the first time too, but I did find what I believe to be the update listed under Cleric.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=25&p=298121#p297613

It does call into question if things like fireball are changed only for cleric domains or if it also was changed for arcane classes too. It sort of implies cleric only just by the subject matter of the post.

[Kenji]

No, I went out of my way to script every single one of those spells on the announcement to give them if and then conditionals to split between domain casters and everyone else, so only domain caster spell damage is buffed.

Yes, it's a general buff to everyone, not just cleric domains alone.

Also, the announcement post was updated for clarification.

[Skibbles]

I don't know anything about the background engine but I've seen enough weird nwn quirks over the years that I'd 100% believe someone if they told me the engine differentiated between divine and arcane spells of the same name.

Thanks for the clarification though =)

[malcolm_mountainslayer]

Can you list out specific examples of the shadow/illusion spells you mentioned, their subspells, damage thresholds, and suggested new damage thresholds?

I'll try. These spells were great additions when shadowmages were no Bueno evocation and couldn't be 27/3 and still have maxed damage igms, etc.

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Shadow EvocationCaster Level(s): Wizard / Sorcerer 5Innate Level: 5Component(s): Verbal, SomaticThe caster taps energy from the Plane of Shadow to cast a quasi-real, illusory version of a the following:

Shadowbolt, Wall of Fire, Flame Shield (Elemental Shield) (9), Gust of Wind

Shadowbolt - A line of crackling, bolts erupt from your fingertips. Any creature struck by a shadowbolt takes 1d8 damage per caster level (maximum 10d8), split evenly between electricity and negative energy damage. Will save for half.
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I apologize
I dont know if this spell shadowbolt effect is friendly is friendly fire or not, but it's 2 tiers higher than casting sound Lance AND the damage is split (more chances to reduce damage) whole being 2 tiers higher higher slot. If this is not a friend friendly spell then we are comparing to 15d6 lvl 3 lightning bolts (tier 2 abyssal vs tier 6 night hag for warlocks or tier 3 vs tier 5 for normal casters)

If we compare firebrand, a tier 5 arcanist spell, we get have up to 15d6 no friendly fire.

I'm thinking 7d8 or 8d8 x2 or 10d6 and 5d8 split.

16d8 not friendly bolt that is damage split (this makes it worse not better because of NEP and
defensive essences etc) and will save instead of empowered sound Lance ally friendly fort seems reasonable.

Shadow evocation is supposed to be a flexible work around evocation but with no specialist banning it, the substitute flexibility needs to be worth a sorceror known spell or wiz prepared slot. The non copy, raw part, of the spell should not be weaker than a 2 tier lower counter part. I'd say it should be as weak as 1 tier lower but the spells it's copying are often well below that and limited selection. So I think making the raw spells feel real is valid.

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Greater shadow evocation is in a decent spot for raw damage. It's tier 7 and up to 20d8, ally friendly vs tier 6 chain lightning. Chain lightning is more metamagic Flexible with no spell component consumption.

The spell copy list of greater shadow Evo so extremely lackluster. Like why ever consider ball of lightning? It should be copying interesting tier 5 to 6 Evo spells like bigbys forceful hand (preferably spells where you can take advantage of your illusion foci instead of Evo foci.)