Re: What can you do with... (Current topic: BRISTLE)

[Captnq]

CALTROPS

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- SPELL COMPENDIUM (3.5)
Conjuration (Creation)
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area: See text
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
You speak the words and spread your palm open, as if you were throwing jacks. Coppery sparks spring from your palm, filling the corridor with small four-pronged spikes.
A caltrops spell covers one 5-foot-by-5- foot square with caltrops. Every time a creature moves into an area covered by caltrops or spends a round fighting while standing in such an area, it might step on one. The caltrops make one attack roll (+0 melee) against the creature. For this attack, the target’s shield and deflection bonuses do not count, nor does its armor bonus for armor worn. A target wearing shoes or other footwear gains a +2 armor bonus to Armor Class (which does count). If the caltrops succeed on the attack, the creature has stepped on one. A successful attack by a caltrop deals 1 point of damage. If the target is Small, Medium, or Large, its land speed is reduced by one-half because of the injury. This movement penalty lasts for 24 hours, until the creature is successfully treated with a DC 15 Heal check, or until it receives at least 1 point of magical healing. A charging or running creature must immediately stop if it steps on a caltrop. Any creature moving at half speed or slower can pick its way through a bed of caltrops with no trouble. The DM judges the effectiveness of caltrops against unusual opponents or opponents outside the size range given above. A giant centipede, for example, can scramble among the caltrops with no chance of hurting itself, and a fire giant wearing thick, massive boots might be immune to their attacks. For every two caster levels beyond 1st, you can affect an additional 5-footby- 5-foot square, and the caltrops’ attack bonus increases by 1. Thus, you affect two squares at 3rd level (+1 melee), three at 5th level (+2 melee), four at 7th level (+3 melee), and a maximum of five at 9th level or higher (+4 melee maximum). Multiple caltrops spells (or mundane caltrops) occupying the same space have no additional effect.
Editor (Support): This spell is begging for sculpt spell and invisible spell. The slew of useful combinations for a short term area effect spell are quite extensive. The spell itself isn’t that strong, and decreases in use as you go up in level, but for those few rounds when you might find yourself with nothing useful against a given target, you could do worse then laying down a few caltrops. It definitely makes my list of must have cantrips. It isn’t about the damage, it’s about using it to relay condition modifiers. Slowing down your enemies by half means you can stay at range. Maybe drop some more effective area of effect spells. An acid fog with caltrops and Evard’s black tentacles could bring someone’s speed to 1/8th. Melee fighters moving one five foot step a round are called target practice.  The place of this spell is what I term a throw away spell. Should you find yourself doing nothing else but maneuvering (Occasionally you will be in a situation with no useful spells), instead of doing nothing, drop these under the enemy’s feet. The spell can always roll a natural twenty, no matter how bad his AC is. A 5% chance of injuring your foes is better then nothing.

Metamagic

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Caltrops isn’t that useful as is, but when modified with various metamagic feats, it can become downright scary. With the right feats it can cover huge areas, direct the flow of battle, or even weaken your enemies so as to make them ineffectual.

Earthbound: Normally It’s such a small area that I wouldn’t consider using this with caltrop, except that if you add sculpt, it will grow by leaps and bounds. You could cover then entire range in caltrops if you sculpt it right. Even without, only the first square has to be on the trigger square. The other squares could be spaced out at other choke points. Use your knowledge of the terrain to your advantage.

Enlarge: Alas, if you sculpt the spell, your area of effect will more then likely extend beyond the spell’s range. You may have to enlarge the spell to really take advantage of the spell on a battlefield. In a dungeon, not so much.

Extend: Normally, you won’t need to do this, but in a mass battle where you are trying to limit the direction enemy troops can move, you might want it to last more then a few rounds. Unless you are laying down caltrops to cover your escape, I wouldn’t bother.

Fell Animate: Oh, it would be so COOL if you had caltrops that turned people into zombies, but alas, the spell is far too weak to kill anyone by itself. Maybe if you combined it with…

Fell Drain: Now this, this is cool. Lay down some sculpted caltrops, say 120’ lines next to each other covering a narrow pass or corridor, now watch your enemies get attacked every five foot step they take to reach you. They are bound to get damaged.

Fell Frighten: Unless you are playing with morale checks to see if the enemy will break and run, I don’t recommend this feat with this spell.

Fell Weaken: Since the spell has a duration, it can only lower strength once, not per point of damage. But maybe the enemy won’t know that. At a mere +1 level adjustment, it isn’t a bad metamagic feat to put on this spell, Just not something I’d go out of my way to do.

Invisible Spell: Read the spell. The caltrops ATTACK the person who enters the square. Now if you use invisible spell, the caltrops become invisible attackers. Invisible caltrops get a +2 to hit and the target loses all dexterity bonuses to AC. This +0 level adjustment feat takes caltrop to a scary place, because if you sculpt and spread the caltrops out over a wide area, the enemy won’t know which path is safe. I’d go so far as to say that if the caltrops are invisible, a subject moving at half speed would have a 50% chance of being ‘attacked’ when moving through a caltrop square. That would be an interpretation, not an official ruling.

Sculpt: At 9th level you get five 5x5 foot squares of caltrops. Add sculpt spell, and you could have twenty 10x10 foot squares, five 120 foot lines, five 20 foot spheres. As a suggested ruling, I suggest that if you shape it into a cylinder, the caltrops hover in the air and attack things that fly through them. That’s just me, your DM may vary. The downside is, the range is close. It’s possible to completely fill up the area with caltrops. At 7th level, four 40 foot cones would cover more surface area then the range allows, leaving you in the middle of a sea of caltrops.

Selective: If you are going to surround yourself in a sea of caltrops, I suggest you render yourself immune.

Widen: Sculpt spell will give you more caltrops then you can stand, this feat is redundant.

Wounding: Normally, not a big fan of wounding, but this spell is unlikely to wound a target more then once, so make it count. Not only will the target want to heal so he can move again, but he’ll want to heal to avoid bleeding to death. Since the spell is attacking the target, each and every point of damage is counted separately. You’re most likely to cause extra damage if you get him to fight you in the caltrops.

Scrolls

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We are going to forgot our usual cost analysis on this spell, simply because the damage isn’t important. It’s what you stack onto the spells that matter.

Caltrop (SL0/CL1): 12.5 gp
   To hit +0
   Squares: 1
   Duration: 1
Caltrop (SL0/CL3): 37.5 gp
   To hit +1
   Squares: 2
   Duration: 3
Caltrop (SL0/CL5): 62.5 gp
   To hit +2
   Squares: 3
   Duration: 5
Caltrop (SL0/CL7): 87.5 gp
   To hit +3
   Squares: 4
   Duration: 7
Caltrop (SL0/CL9): 112.5 gp
   To hit +4
   Squares: 5
   Duration: 9

As you can see, the cost doesn’t go up much but the number of squares and to hit does. If you want to add invisible spell to any of these scrolls, it doesn’t change the cost one iota. In fact, there is no reason not to buy them with invisible spell, except for availability.

Wands

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Caltrop (SL0/CL9): 3375 gp
   To hit +4
   Squares: 5
   Duration: 9
   If you are going to buy a caltrop wand, buy a wand at 9th level. It might be a bit more expensive, but this is the sort of spell you want to cast only once a combat.

Caltrop Sculpted (SL1/CL9): 6750 gp
   To hit +4
   Squares: 80+
   Duration: 9
   Here we have a wand that will allow you to litter the battlefield with caltrops. With sculpt, you can drop them exactly where and how you want them. I highly recommend getting it with invisible spell.

Caltrop Sculpted Fell Drain (SL3/CL9): 20250 gp
   To hit +4
   Squares: 80+
   Duration: 9
   Now you have a wand that can litter the battlefield with level draining caltrops. Watch the enemy break rank in terror once the first few start to feel weak. Very useful against hoards of low level minions.

Caltrop Enlarged Sculpted Wounding (SL4/CL9): 27000 gp
   To hit +4
   Squares: 80+
   Duration: 9
   And here we have the other extreme, slowly bleed your enemies to death with a sea of caltrops. The enlarged allows you to use the caltrops out to 95 feet, and trust me, you can fill that 95 foot radius with caltrops. Run back and forth along a castle wall, dropping caltrops in front of an attacking army. Watch the low level minions’ feet get chewed up. Truly it will be a sad day in mudville.

And that concludes Caltrops. I hope you find this spell as interesting as I did. Alas, I have a headache and need to get some Zzz’s.

[Jackinthegreen]

Caltrops on top of Grease, anyone?

[skydragonknight]

Cylinder of Caltrops between two Ring Gates (one above the other). They'll roll natural 20s eventually and kill anything.

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ACID SPLASH

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- MAGIC OF FAERÛN (3.0)
- PLAYER’S HANDBOOK 1 (3.5)
Conjuration (Creation) [Acid]
Level: Duskblade 0, Sorcerer/Wizard 0, Warmage 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: One missile of acid
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
You fire a small orb of acid at the target. You must succeed on a ranged touch attack to hit your target. The orb deals 1d3 points of acid damage.
Alternate Material Component: Rare toad skin [Enlarged] (20 gp)
Editor (Blaster): Every once in a while you need to do non-standard damage to something that fire won’t kill, like a red hydra. In that case, an acid orb as the finishing move makes sure that a regenerating horror stays down. Like most cantrips, it doesn't scale up with caster level. A 20th caster level acid splash is the same as a 1st level spell. So the purpose of an acid splash is non-standard damage to kill, or to act as the cheapest method of transport for a metamagic feat. Now sonic snap is vastly superior to Acid splash for that purpose. Sonic snap always does one point of sonic damage with no to hit roll. Acid Splash has the advantage that spell resistance does not apply. In that regard, it goes up there on my list of must have cantrips.

Metamagic

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Chain Spell: Alas, no target line, no chain spell. Sorry.

Deafening: There might be a reason to deafen someone for one round. Perhaps you need to avoid someone using language-dependant mind control for a bit. maybe you need to mess with someone using blindsight. This will allow you to do it with a 1st level spell. Or you could just use sonic snap and do the same thing as a zero level spell.

Entangling: Maybe you just want to slow someone down and you can't afford to give up a 3rd level slot to put this feat in a magic missile. Maybe he's immune to magic missile. Maybe you should just use caltrops and save your 2nd level spells for something more impressive.

Fell Animate: Ah, the sweet spot. As long as you can figure out how to wait until the last hit point before death, you can have a free zombie! It’s the whole timing issue that’s a problem. But if you are evil, I’m sure you can figure something out.

Fell Drain: Now you are cooking with gas! Not only do you do a bit of damage, you lower your target by a level. At low levels, you can take a low HD target to dead in a few rounds. It's the cheapest way to deliver level drain. However, if you are interested in mass level drain, may I direct you to a chained fell drain sonic snap. There would be no to hit roll.

Fell Frighten: Not a big fan of this one, but you might have a reason for it. Being shaken simply isn't that intimidating. I mean, at this point, just cast Fear and be done with it.
 
Fell Weaken: The cheapest strength reduction you can put in a wand. For one minute you grant a -4 to strength. Pity it doesn't stack with itself. I think you’d be better with a BLoM ray of enfeeblement, however.
 
Lingering: A weird synergy occurs with this feat. Acid splash is a ranged touch attack. If you hit, you do an average of 2 hp. Add this feat, you do an average of 2 + 3.5. This beats out a caster level 1 magic missile which only does 3.5 on average. Bang for your buck, it’s one of the best gp/hp wands you can buy at 1st level
 
Non-lethal: If you want to smack people upside the head for no serious damage, this will do. maybe a bunch of wizards would make a dozen or so of these as wands for target practice. I can see an entire adventure around going to Wizard school and playing a magical version of laser tag.
 
Retributive: Not the worst use of this feat if you combine it with something else, like Fell Drain. That’s where this comes into play. Wounding is another good choice.
 
Wounding: Speaking of, while this feat sounds neat, I’d suggest just hitting your target with a Melf’s acid arrow. It’s be far more effective.

Scrolls

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Acid Splash (SL0/CL1): 12.5 gp
   Damage: 1d3 = Avg 2 hp (6.25 gp/hp)

The base spell actually has a rather low gold to damage ratio. The problem is, speed kills. This would take far too long to kill someone to make it worth it. It does attack objects as well as creatures, alas, hardness applies as normal, so it’s unlikely to melt anything not alive.

Acid Splash Fell Weaken (SL1/CL1): 25 gp
   Damage: 1d3 = Avg 2 hp (12.5 gp/hp)
   Strength Loss: -4 (6.25 gp/Str)
   Not a bad little spell. As long as you can hit, you can reduce your target’s to hit and damage by -2 for a minute. If it looks like it’s going to be a long fight, this could prove to be a viable low level strategy.

Wands

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Now where this spell comes into full bloom is when you use it over and over. Thus it lends itself well to a wand.

Acid Splash (SL0/CL1): 375 gp
   Damage: 1d3 = Avg 2 hp (3.75 gp/hp)
   If energy resistance or hardness isn’t an issue, and you have all the time in the world, then this wand will get you to where you need to go. I suggest saving it to finish off regenerating critters.

Acid Splash Fell Animate (SL3/CL5): 11250 gp
   Damage: 1d3 = Avg 2 hp (112.50 gp/hp)
   Capture your enemies, torture them to the brink of death, zap them in the face. Instant zombie! You might be tempted to add lingering just to make sure you kill your target. Remember that you might kill the target on the first round, so the second round 1d6 will damage your new zombie!

Acid Splash Fell Drain (SL2/CL3): 4500 gp
   Damage: 1d3 = Avg 2 hp (45.00 gp/hp)
   Drain: 1 level (90 gp/level)
   The damage isn’t the issue, it’s the level drain. Although level drain does reduce the target by 5 hit points, making the real gp/hp 12.86. Enervation is two levels higher, has the same range and only does 1d4 levels of drain. That makes an enervation wand 168 gp/level. Sure the enervation wand is faster, but this wand ignores spell resistance. Enervation does not. When you are on a budget, or fighting drow, this is the better level draining choice.

Acid Splash Lingering (SL1/CL1): 750 gp
   Damage: 1d3 +1d6 = Avg 2 + 3.5 hp (2.73 gp/hp)
   Magic Missile at the same SL/CL is 4.29 gp/hp. That makes this wand to be the most effective gold to damage wand on the market, assuming you are a good shot. Against high touch attack AC targets, that savings disappears rapidly. It beats out electric jolt and ray of frost because acid splash is not affected by SR and they all basically do the same amount of damage. Now, damage over time usually sucks, but this is one of those situations where you are unlikely to kill with the damage of the first attack, so he is likely to still be there in the second round for the next 1d6.

Bonus Adventure Idea:

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The players get invited to attend the All Wizard Tournament

Only wizards can apply. Higher level wizards do rather impressive battles, but the low level wizards (5th and under) gets divided up into teams and are put in a sunken arena with two other teams. One team has wands of Non-lethal Acid Splash, one with Non-lethal Electric Jolt, and the other has Non-lethal Ray of Frost. The wands are limited so they cannot be fired if you have taken any damage. There is a 10' radius healing field back at each team's base. Heal 1hp/round. If you are hit a second time while you are wounded, your wand shuts off completely for an hour.

Capture the flag or elimination. Your call.

Well, I hope you enjoy this close look at acid splash and that it helps to give you new ideas for old spells.

[skydragonknight]

Hard to optimize cantrips, but I've put this to good use on a Pixie Rogue. It has no SR, is a ranged touch (with Pixie Dex = always hit) and it's a very cheap wand for delivering sneak attack reliably from a distance. Gloves of the Balanced Hand + Double Wand Wielder = Double the fun.

Arcanist/Rogue Raycasters generally prefer Ray of Frost as their lowest-grade ammunition since you can Split Ray that.

[RobbyPants]

Hard to optimize cantrips, but I've put this to good use on a Pixie Rogue. It has no SR, is a ranged touch (with Pixie Dex = always hit) and it's a very cheap wand for delivering sneak attack reliably from a distance. Gloves of the Balanced Hand + Double Wand Wielder = Double the fun.

What do Gloves of the Balanced Hand do and/or what book are they in?

[snakeman830]

Hard to optimize cantrips, but I've put this to good use on a Pixie Rogue. It has no SR, is a ranged touch (with Pixie Dex = always hit) and it's a very cheap wand for delivering sneak attack reliably from a distance. Gloves of the Balanced Hand + Double Wand Wielder = Double the fun.

What do Gloves of the Balanced Hand do and/or what book are they in?

They're in MIC and give Two-Weapon Fighting or the Improved version if the wearer has TWF.  Only like 8k gold too.

[Captnq]

Well, I just got THE WALKING DEAD: The video game. I <3 Zombies! That said, This is gonna suck up my life for a few days. Just sayin'

ACID FOG

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- PLAYER’S HANDBOOK (3.0)
- PLAYER’S HANDBOOK 1 (3.5)
Conjuration (Creation) [Acid]
Level: Blighter 6, Dread Necromancer 6, Maho-Tsukai (3.0) 7, River Domain 7, Sorcerer/Wizard 6, Water Domain 7, Warmage 6
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect: Fog spreads in 20-ft. radius, 20 ft. high
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Acid fog creates a billowing mass of misty vapors similar to that produced by a solid fog spell. In addition to slowing creatures down and obscuring sight, this spell’s vapors are highly acidic. Each round on your turn, starting when you cast the spell, the fog deals 2d6 points of acid damage to each creature and object within it.
Arcane Material Component: A pinch of dried, powdered peas combined with powdered animal hoof.
Alternate Material Component: Powdered gorgon hoof [Extended] 940 gp
Editor (Saboteur):A good spell for controlling the battlefield, slows down people while damaging them and has no defense. I’m not a big fan of damage over time, so I’m not listing it as a blaster type spell. Instead you use it to redirect the enemy. Maybe drop it on the wall of a castle and see how long it takes to dissolve. Great with anything that limits movement on top of the already reduced movement.

Metamagic

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Blistering - Normally not a big fan, but the base damage on this spell is so low that a +12 for only a +1 level adjustment is an excellent buy. Of course, you need to use energy substitution (fire) to make it work, but if you have blistering, you would be a fool not to have energy sub (fire) in the first place.

Born of the three thunders - Normally I don't like this feat, but this case it is a beautiful thing. You need energy subsitution (electrical), and you are dazed the first round you cast the spell, but every round after that, anyone inside the spell is making fortitude followed by reflex saves every round. With a little luck, they'll be stunned for several rounds. Once they fall prone, you can make a case that the fog makes it impossible to know which way is which, thus they might get lost in it.

Coercive - Your goal is to melt people, not charm them.

Consecrate - Yes, it gets around acid resistance. Maybe if you were attacking hell, for example. But frankly, there are better feats to use for that sort of thing.

Cooperative - I normally hate this feat, and I still do. Getting the save DC and magic resistance up is pointless (unless you have added BotTT), because it has no saving throw and automatically overcomes spell resistance.

Corrupt Spell - Are you trying to melt the Seven heavens? No? Next.

Deafening - So they won't hear themselves scream as they dissolve. Is that worth a +1 level adjustment? I thought so.

Deceptive - It's a cloud of acidic death. Who cares what direction it came from?

Delay - No. Nonononononono. No.

Earthbound - Ouch. +2 level adjustment. A little suprise for anyone who tries to follow you. If you got the feat and the levels, I say go for it. Heck, add sculpted and make it a cone pointing away from you and cast it right outside the door to where you are hiding.

Empower - The damage is so low that I wouldn't recommend it. There are more fun feats to add. Although if you got a normal Empower metamagic rod, go right ahead and ramp up that damage.

Energize - Increases damage against the undead while reducing damage against the living. If everyone in your party has Acid resistance 5, then only on a 11 or 12 will it do one point of damage. Make the spell invisible and go to town, fighting undead hoards while they dissolve in slow motion.

Energy Admixture - Unless you are using Arcane thesis or something like that, this +4 level adjustment will never fit on this spell. That said, if you do decide to go that route, turn it into Fire and Cold then add flash frost and blistering.

Energy Substitution - This spell screams for energy modification so that you can make the best of other feat combos.

Enervate - If empower sucks when used with this spell, this feat sucks twice as hard.
 
Entangling - Oh, how I wish this feat didn't say that it could only be used with instantatious spells.

Enlarge - If you really need it, you need it, but chances are you're better off buying a metamagic rod and using it when the need arises.

Extend - Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. If you're gonna dissolve an entire building, you need this spell to last as long as possible.

Explosive - Normally this spell can't be explosive, because it doesn't have a reflex save. However, use Born of the Three Thunders and suddenly it has a reflex save, and thus can be explosive. Every round everyone flies out to the edge. With luck, because of the reduced speed, if you block a corridor with this, anyone trying to cross the fog will keep getting blown backwards.

Fell Animate - Anyone who dies in it becomes a zombie, then promptly dissolves. Unless you change it to cold, then add Lord of the Uttercold. Then the damage cancels itself out for undead only and your zombies will survive. Mucho work for little return.

Fell Drain - Erg... Tough call. Mixing damage types usually is a bad idea, but with the weak amount of damage, adding a level of drain would be cool. The problem is, as it reads, you only drain one level, no matter how much the target is damaged. I'm of mixed feelings about this.

Fell Frightened - They're gonna be plenty scared. Let me assure you. Next.

Fell Weaken - The spell does damage over time and this feat will only reduce strength once.

Flash Frost - Like Blistering, I dislike this feat, usually. For this spell, I think it's better then Blistering. Flash frost leaves a slick surface that makes it difficult to run. You already are at half movement because of the solid fog effect, this might make someone trying to flee fall down and get stuck for a few extra rounds. Which will be painful because its an average of 19 points a round of cold.

Heighten Spell - No saving throw. Next.

Invisible Spell - Tough call. If you want to be able to see what's dying in the fog, this is a good choice. Add Nonlethal and suddenly you have crowd control. Drop everyone in an entire building without so much as a scratch to any inanimate objects.

Lingering spell - Like entangling, I wish this wasn't instantatious only.

Maximize - Maximize 2d6. Seriously? Next.

Nonlethal Substitution - Do you hope to recover any equipment from your fallen enemies? Because most equipment will melt once the owner dies. Nonlethal means you take them prisoner AND get their loot.

Persistent - Normally, the +6 level adjustment would make this impossible. If you could pull it off, it would look cool.

Piercing Cold - Ooo... If I knew I was going up against fire subtypes, Then I WANT this right along with flash frost. Otherwise, no.

Purify spell - Well, if I want my army of the holy to wait inside this thing, then yes, I'd use this feat.

Reaping - No. Just not cost effective. Unless you are planning on tossing bound/helpless prisoners into it to dissolve their flesh as well as soul. Sounds cool as an NPC thing.

Repeat - Double the damage. Not a bad spell. Too bad I can do more damage with flash frost at a cost of +1.

Retributive spell - Hrmmm... it would limit it to only one target. That target could not escape since the spell effects him and him alone. He'd take 2d6 acid damage every round for a minimum of 13 rounds. Not cost effective, but boy would it be funny to watch.

Sculpting - Oh Yes. Take that fog and make it a 40’ cone, or four cubes to fill up a 10’ wide corridor. Huh, now that I think about it, in a 10' corridor, it'd be the same thing. Meh.

Searing - Are you fighting cold subtype? Next.

Selective - Oh yes yes yes. You want to walk around in your own acidic cloud of death at full movement while everyone else is at half speed and dissolving. When does that ever stop being fun?

Silent - Uh, no real point.

Still - Okay, maybe you need to set off a selective Acid Fog while being grappled. It would certainly encourage people to leave you alone. How about you just don't get grappled or use a still dimension door instead.

Transdimensional - If you need to smoke out a pit of extra-dimensional whatchawhooits, excellent choice. Otherwise, not very useful.

Twin - Too expensive. Next.

Umbral - The light source will dissolve. They can't see through the fog anyways.

Widen - Oh yes yes yes... as a metamagic rod or sudden. Just too fricken expensive as a regular feat. However, your fog expands to 40 feet radius... almost makes it worth it. Almost.

Scrolls

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Acid Fog (SL6/CL11): 1650
   Damage: 2d6 = Avg 7 hp (235.71 gp/hp)
   Duration: 11 rounds (21.43 gp/hp)
Alas, the spell doesn’t have a wide area or do a lot of damage. It’s main advantage is that it lasts forever (as far as your average combat is concerned) and slows your enemies down and gets through saving throws and spell resistance. It’s best for crowd control in narrow bottlenecks.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Fire)/Blistering (SL7/CL13): 2275
   Damage: 2d6 +12 = Avg 19 hp (119.74 gp/hp)
   Duration: 13 rounds (9.21 gp/hp)
   Here we have the most damage for the cheapest gold to damage ratio. You can do something similar with flash frost.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Fire)/Blistering/Fell Weaken (SL8/CL15): 3000
   Damage: 2d6 +12 = Avg 19 hp (157.89 gp/hp)
   Duration: 15 rounds (7.89 gp/hp)
   This combo is to capitalize on the -2 caused by a blistering spell and add to it another -4 to strength. The point is to render anyone who enters it unable to hit you effectively when they get out.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Cold)/Flash Frost/Empower (SL9/CL17): 3825
   Damage: 2d6 +12 x 1.5 = Avg 28.5 hp (134.21 gp/hp)
   Duration: 17 rounds (7.89 gp/hp)
   Here we have a the most damage you can do with this spell. There isn’t any way to stack more damage on, so this is your best bet for taking someone down.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Cold)/Flash Frost/Extended (SL8/CL15): 3000
   Damage: 2d6 +12 = Avg 19 hp (157.89 gp/hp)
   Duration: 30 rounds (5.26 gp/hp)
   This version is just to extend the effect out an extra 15 rounds. Not sure how useful that might be, but it could be of use in a protracted battle. What it also does is put a slippery surface under the fog which is already half movement.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Fire)/Blistering/Energize/Selective (SL9/CL17): 3825
   Damage: 2d6 +12 x 1.5 = Avg 28.5 hp vs undead (134.21 gp/hp)
   Duration: 17 rounds (7.14 gp/hp)
   This is the most damage that can be done to the undead. A living person will take half that, as well as one person can be made immune to the spell, since it is selective. That person can stand in the middle of the fog and go to town on mindless undead who make their way into it.

Acid Fog Widened (SL9/CL17): 3825
   Damage: 2d6 = Avg 7 hp (546.43 gp/hp)
   Duration: 17 rounds (32.14 gp/hp)
   I included this to show how much using this feat sucks. You have to pay through the nose for nothing more then an extra 20’ radius.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Electricity)/Born of the Three Thunders/Sculpted/Explosive (SL9/CL17): 3825
   Damage: 2d6 = Avg 7 hp (546.43 gp/hp)
   Duration: 17 rounds (32.14 gp/hp)
   Here we have a weird combo. You get dazed the first round you use it, then you can take full advantage of a customized area which is both stunning, causes targets to fall prone, then ejects them violently from the area. If you are using the suggested rules for explosives, may I recommend a cone. As they fight their way through the fog, they’ll get blown backwards. 40’ of fog is 80’ of movement. It’ll take 3 rounds to get through. 3 rounds of saving throws. If they fail the first but make the second, they still have to stand in the electrical/sonic fog.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Electricity) / Born of the Three Thunders / Wounding / Extended  (SL9/CL20): 4500
   Damage: 2d6 = Avg 7 hp (642.86 gp/hp)
   Duration: 40 rounds (16.07 gp/hp)
   Now, the goal of this one is to hopefully stun people moving through it so they fall down. As they take damage, it’s from two different sources. One electrical, one sonic. One could make a case that because the damage is split, it should cause two different wounds. An excellent case for this would be if your DM has already allowed magic missile to cause multiple wounds on the same target. If not, the wounding is still scary. You see, if you put this across a corridor, someone would have to cross 40’ of fog to get from one side to the next. Every round he’s getting at least one wound. Now he’s moving at half speed. Now he fails a saving throw and is either stunned or prone. All of which keeps him in the fog. Maybe you lay down Spikey Black Tentacles of Forced Entrusion in the fog as well. Either way, He goes from one point of damage a round, to 2, then 3, then 4, and so on and so on up to a potential 40 points a round. Nobody takes sonic resistance, so you are bound to get something through and there’s a good chance someone trying to wade through this will get stuck until they are bleed to death out of their ears.

Acid Fog Energy Sub (Cold) / Flash Frost / Wounding / (SL9/CL20): 4500
   Damage: 2d6 +12 = Avg 19 hp (236.84 gp/hp)
   Duration: 20 rounds (11.84 gp/hp)
   This version does much more base damage, in hopes of overwhelming energy resistance, and the flash frost might make it too slippery for some people to move, thus keeping them in the fog. The longer they are in the fog, the more wounds they get, the deader they get. Alas, it doesn't last as long, but 20 rounds should be enough for most combats.

Acid Fog Invisible/Non-lethal/Widened (SL9/CL17): 3825
   Damage: 2d6 = Avg 7 hp (546.43 gp/hp)
   Duration: 17 rounds (32.14 gp/hp)
   Here we have the only widened version of this spell I recommend. This will create a cloud 80’ across, that nobody can see, but does non-lethal. Perfect spell to cast when you are dealing with a riot. Commoners will run into the fog, slow down, then drop into a coma.

Acid Fog Invisible/Non-lethal/Coercive/Fell Frightened (SL9/CL17): 3825
   Damage: 2d6 = Avg 7 hp (546.43 gp/hp)
   Duration: 17 rounds (32.14 gp/hp)
   This version not only drops rioting commoners, but makes them have a total -4 to will saves. Makes it easy to cast enchantments on them and get them to do what you want, should a few of them show off enough hit points to make it through the fog.

And that's it for acid fog. Hope this gives you new insight into an old spell.

[skydragonknight]

Level: Blighter 6, Dread Necromancer 6, Maho-Tsukai (3.0) 7, River Domain 7, Sorcerer/Wizard 6, Water Domain 7, Warmage 6

This. It's a new option (control) for some for classes with very little of it (the only real other one is Tentacles, so this is a nice Option B for big beefy enemies unlikely to be grappled). Pin them down for a couple rounds and spam AoEs/surround edges with undead minions with reach before they can spread out. And as a DoT spell, the Warmage Edge is actually less sucky on it than for most spells (a 16 Int is almost an Empower Spell, 14 natural and +2 item). Also, if they decide to exit the fog headed towards you, toss a Blade Barrier right outside the Fog for extra douchery. Now if the party Melee has a reach weapon and the Knockback feat...

[Kasz]

I find Create Trap, from races of the dragon is a great spell for damage at level one.... curious what you could do with it, if you're looking for spells.

http://dndtools.eu/spells/races-of-the-dragon--83/create-trap--3076/

awesome thread btw.

[RobbyPants]

Level: Blighter 6, Dread Necromancer 6, Maho-Tsukai (3.0) 7, River Domain 7, Sorcerer/Wizard 6, Water Domain 7, Warmage 6

This. It's a new option (control) for some for classes with very little of it (the only real other one is Tentacles, so this is a nice Option B for big beefy enemies unlikely to be grappled).

Yeah, I played a DN for a fairly long campaign, and this saw heavy use at 12th level and after.

[dipolartech]

I find Create Trap, from races of the dragon is a great spell for damage at level one.... curious what you could do with it, if you're looking for spells.

http://dndtools.eu/spells/races-of-the-dragon--83/create-trap--3076/

Not to derail Cap's mojo, but the wording on that Create Trap link is amusing

You throw a small gear, and when it hits the ground a trap springs up at the place you designate.

You can locate the 5-foot-by-5-foot trigger in any square of your choice within the range of this spell.

Note that the gear's location doesn't seem to have anything to do with the trap's location. And it also doesn't have anything to do with the trigger's location.... so does that mean I get to designate that the trap appears even in a place i can't see? and then have the trigger next to me and I 5-ft into it? Hnmmmmm

[Captnq]

CREATE TRAP

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- RACES OF THE DRAGON (3.5)
Conjuration
Level: Kobold Domain 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect: One trap; see text
Duration: 12 hours
Saving Throw: No
Spell Resistance: No
You throw a small gear, and when it hits the ground a trap springs up at the place you designate.
You create a CR 1 trap selected from the following list: basic arrow trap, fusillade of darts, scything blade trap, or spear trap. You can locate the 5-foot-by-5-foot trigger in any square of your choice within the range of this spell. Once create trap is cast, the trap is active and ready to be sprung, with every design feature installed.
Basic Arrow Trap: CR 1; mechanical; proximity trigger; manual reset; Atk +10 ranged (1d6/x3, arrow); Search DC 20; Disable Device DC 20. Market Price: 2,000 gp.
Fusillade of Darts: CR 1; mechanical; location trigger; manual reset; Atk +10 ranged (1d4+1, dart); multiple targets (fires 1d4 darts at each target in two adjacent 5-ft. squares); Search DC 14; Disable Device DC 20. Market Price: 500 gp.
Scything Blade Trap: CR 1; mechanical; location trigger; automatic reset; Atk +8 melee (1d8/x3); Search DC 21; Disable Device DC 20. Market Price: 1,700 gp.
Spear Trap: CR 1; mechanical; location trigger; manual reset; Atk +12 ranged (1d8/x3, spear); Search DC 20; Disable Device DC 20. Note: 200-ft. max range, target determined randomly from those in its path. Market Price: 1,200 gp.
Material Component: A miniature bronze gear.
Editor (Support): What an interesting little spell. 1 round to cast, long range, long duration. But lets look at the spell in more detail.  It says that the trap is active, ready to spring, with EVERY design feature installed. A PC could argue that an Automatic Reset for a mechanical trap is an option on all mechanical traps. Anyone could install one. Therefore, if every possible design feature is installed, then all the traps are considered automatic. To support this argument, I point to the duration of 12 hours. It does not say 12 hours, until triggered. That said, if your DM wants to be a pain about this spell, then the only trap you’ll want to make is the scything blade trap. It’s the only one that resets.
Now the way the spell reads, the 5x5 trigger square can be anywhere and the square where the trap attacks could be anywhere, as long as they are within line of effect and within range. Because it has a duration, it cannot attack anyone outside the range. The arrow, darts, or spear have a point of origin as you designate and a direction they attack. If the weapon goes beyond the range of the spell, the projectile will vanish. Don’t forget circumstance bonuses. You can make a good call for getting a bonus to hide the trap if you pick a good location.

Metamagic

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Chain: I wish I could chain this, but it has no target line.

Deceptive Spell: Now this is a reason for using something other then the Blade trap. You can have the victim run off in the wrong direction after an “enemy archer”. A triggered magic mouth can add to the illusion.

Earthbound: A trigger square to set up a trigger trap. No.

Empower: Yes. More damage is good. Expensive and not cost effective, but good.

Extend: I’m not sure if you’ll need a full 24 hours, but hey, you never know.

Fell Animate: It’s a long shot, but man, the look on someone’s face when his buddy turns into a zombie. Without you around to give it orders, it will just stand there.

Fell Drain: Scare the crap out of a low level person with a resetting trap that drains LEVELS. The problem is, the spell can only drain one level, not one level for every time it hits. Then ask yourself, are they going to enter that square a second time? Eh?

Invisible Spell: Oh Yes. The spell is invisible and the way the feat reads, the trap does not become visible when it attacks. Invisible Create Traps rocks my self-centered world for a +0 level adjustment. All Create traps should be invisible.

Maximize: Not a lot to maximize. Waste of a +3 level adjustment, in my opinion.

Selective: Be immune to your own traps. Sweet!

Transdimensional: Maybe. Situational dependant.

Widen: Only useful if you use the darts trap. It’s the only one that affects an area of effect.

Scrolls

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The problem with this spell is that it does not scale up as you advance in level. A caster level 20 create trap is the same as a caster level 1. So, alas, you aren’t going to get the same return you get when you add metamagic feats to, say, magic missile or burning hands. The main perk here is how long it lasts.

Create Trap (SL1/CL1): 25 gp
        Basic Arrow Trap Damage: 1d6 = Avg 3.5 hp (7.14 gp/hp)
        Fusillade of Darts Damage: 1d4 +1 x 1d4 = Avg 8.75 hp (2.85 gp/hp)
        Scything Blade Trap Damage: 1d8 = Avg 4.5 hp (5.56 gp/hp)
        Spear Trap Damage: 1d8 = 4.5 = Avg 4.5 hp (5.56 gp/hp)
Now, if you can convince your DM to allow all four traps to self reset (which as the wording goes, it should), you can see that darts are the way to go for damage, the spear has the best to hit, and if your DM requires it exactly as written in the DM’s guide, the blade trap is best, because it resets itself. The arrow trap just sucks. Even without resetting, the darts have the advantage of affecting two squares, which means it can affect two targets.

Create Trap (Fusillade of Darts) Empower (SL3/CL5): 375 gp
   Damage: (1d4 +1 x 1.5) x (1d4 x 1.5)= Avg 19.68 hp (19.05 gp/hp)
   Max Targets: 2 (9.53 gp/hp)
   Even if it doesn’t reset, the damage is quite high. In fact, it does more damage then a fireball cast at the same level, although if the fireball targets more then two people, the fireball is superior. Still, the spell remains in effect for 12 hours. Can’t do that with a fireball.

Create Trap (Fusillade of Darts) Empower/Widen (SL6/CL11): 1650 gp
   Damage: (1d4 +1 x 1.5) x (1d4 x 1.5)= Avg 19.68 hp (83.84 gp/hp)
   Max Targets: 8 (10.48 gp/hp)
   Here we see what happens when we widen the dart trap. It now does damage to every target within 20’ by 10’ area. The original area was 10’ by 5’ and now you can get everybody in the party with one trap, assuming they are marching down a 10’ corridor.

Create Trap (Fusillade of Darts) Empower/Maximize/Widen (SL9/CL17): 3850 gp
   Damage: 8 x 6 = 48 hp (80.21 gp/hp)
   Max Targets: 8 (10.03 gp/hp)
   Not the most impressive damage for a 9th level spell, but not too shabby, either.

Create Trap (Fusillade of Darts) Empower/Maximize (SL6/CL11): 1650 gp
   Damage: 6 x 8= 48 hp (34.37 gp/hp)
   Max Targets: 2 (17.18 gp/hp)
   A lousy spell for a wizard, damage wise. A great spell for a kobold cleric.

Wands

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The purpose of a wand is to use the same spell over and over in rapid succession. That said, it's perfect for Create Trap.

Create Trap (Scything Blade Trap) (SL1/CL1): 750 gp
Damage: 1d8 = Avg 4.5 hp (3.33 gp/hp)
   If you are planning on littering an area with traps by firing your wand off repeatedly, you’d be better off with a wand that made a scything blade trap that always resets. Again, if you can convince the DM, go with darts instead.

Create Trap Fell Animate (Scything Blade Trap) (SL4/CL7): 21000 gp
Damage: 1d8 = Avg 4.5 hp (93.33 gp/hp)
   Remember that the trap is self resetting, so if you drop someone to negative hp, The trap will attack again the following round and eventually kill them. Set up a dozen of these and chase your enemies through them. Make sure to order the zombies out of the trap or they will slowly be cut down as they stand there awaiting your command.

Oil

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   Create trap is an oil you pour on the ground, not a potion you drink.

Create Trap (Scything Blade Trap) (SL1/CL1): 50 gp
Damage: 1d8 = Avg 4.5 hp (11.11 gp/hp)
   Your basic model.

Create Trap Invisible (Scything Blade Trap) (SL1/CL1): 50 gp
Damage: 1d8 = Avg 4.5 hp (11.11 gp/hp)
And for the same price, you have an invisible trap you can set up anywhere. And remember, the attack is from an invisible attacker. With a few illusions, you could make someone think they are battling someone who can fight invisible without revealing himself.

Create Trap Empowered/Invisible (Scything Blade Trap) (SL3/CL5): 750 gp
Damage: 1d8 x 1.5 = Avg 6.75 hp (111.11 gp/hp)
   This is included to show that the only trap that is worth using empower on is the dart trap, otherwise you are just throwing your money away.

And that concludes my review of this spell. I hope you find new uses for it.

[skydragonknight]

>_>
<_<
... ... ...

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Invisible Spell is my personal choice here, as it's the only way to boost the Attack roll (+2 for striking as an invisible attacker). Them being denied Dexterity to AC is also a nice perk for an evil DM, since only a 2nd-level Barbarian/Warblade have Uncanny Dodge at those low levels. The gravy though, is not being able to tell where the trap is coming from by sight, so they're more likely to trigger it multiple times. Or mistake it for an invisible creature.

[Captnq]

Oh, i just noticed something...

Scroll:
Create Trap (Fusillade of Darts) Sculpt (SL2/CL3): 150 gp
   Damage: 1d4+1 x 1d4 = Avg 8.75 hp (17.14 gp/hp)
   Max Targets: LOTS

I can't believe I missed sculpting the spell. Now you can hit everyone in a forty foot cone.

Now for the battlefield edition...


Wands:
Create Trap (Fusillade of Darts) empower Sculpt (SL4/CL7): 21000 gp
   Damage: (1d4+1 x 1.5) x (1d4 x 1.5) = Avg 19.68 hp (21.34 gp/hp)
   Max Targets: LOTS

Okay, a sculpted fireball into a cone would do 24.5 damage for the same price. However, even if your DM does not allow the trap to be resetting, you can stand by it and manually reset it in 1 round. And remember, the sculpting allows you to sculpt the trigger area as well. Hell, if you are going to stand next to this monstrosity, just make the trigger square BEHIND the dart trap and step on the square when you want it to fire. You might not want to make it invisible, if the DM wants you to reset it manually.


Ultra Disgusting Scroll of Create Trap

Create Trap (Fusillade of Darts) Empower/Maximize/Sculpt (SL7/CL13): 2275 gp
   Damage: 8 x 6= 48 hp (47.40 gp/hp)
   Max Targets: 50+
   Max Rounds: 7200

If you reset it every round for 12 hours straight (you'd be exhausted) but you could unleash hell on a battlefield for hours. Hell, the cone doesn't have to be right in front of the trap. It could be anywhere withing the casting range. (In this case 230 feet)


Use the wand right before a big battle. It's like dropping 50 machine guns on the battlefield. I'm seeing a WWI-style trench warfare senario. use the Ultra-badass scroll in a corridor, ala-Aliens (The sentry guns are down to only 67 shots! They can just walk right through! But they don't know that...)

[Kethrian]

An interesting point to bring up about the design features and optional ones is that the spell specifies CR 1 for the traps.  Since many of the design options adjust the CR, so long as the end result is still CR 1, you should be able to add any optional features you want.

I don't think, strictly speaking, that Sculpt Spell can be applied to Create Trap, because the spell does not have an Area line, but rather an Effect line.  I'd personally allow it in my campaigns, but I just wanted to point out that there is a case to argue the contrary.  Oh, and if you could sculpt the area where the fusillade hits, could you not also sculpt the trigger area?  Just another thought to consider...

[Captnq]

ACID BREATH

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- SPELL COMPENDIUM (3.5)
Conjuration (Creation) [Acid]
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 15 ft.
Area: Cone-shaped burst
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
You pop the fire ants into your mouth and exhale quickly. The ants distill into drops of pure acid in midair, spattering against your foes and leaving smoking holes.
You breathe forth a cone of acidic droplets. The cone deals 1d6 points of acid damage per caster level (maximum 10d6).
Material Component: A handful of fire ants (alive or dead).
Editor (Blaster): The conjuration answer to fireball. The area of effect and range isn’t as good as the old standby, but it makes up for that by being acid damage, which isn’t commonly resisted. If you are a conjurer who took evocation as his banned school, this is now one of your mid-level area of effect attacks.

Metamagic

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Blistering: A total +6 damage for a +1 level adjustment and it requires you to change the energy descriptor to fire. I’m not impressed.

Earthbound: Not the best choice. I’d go with fireball instead, simply for the added area. If you can drop sculpt on this, then it’s just as good as a fireball in the same role as landmine.

Empower: An excellent choice for this spell. This spell maxes out at 10th caster level, and you can cast an empowered Acid Breath at 9th caster level.

Energize: If you hate undead, has all the perks of an empower, at half the cost. The usual limitations apply.

Energy Admixture: The problem is that +4 level adjustment for a total of 20d6. If you have to be 13th level to cast this, an empowered cone of cold will do 20.5d6 at the same spell level.

Entangling: For a +2 adjustment to slow someone down who is within 15’ of you, that sounds like a stupid idea.

Explosive: Assuing you are using the alternate explosive rules in section two: metamagic feats concerning cones and this feat, this is still not that useful, unless you want to push your enemies back. Now if you add sculpting so the spell extends to 40 feet, it improves dramatically in use.

Fiery Spell: You need to change the energy to fire for a +1 per die. At 10th caster level that would be a total +10, or the same average damage as adding 2.5d6. Empower adds +5d6 for +2, but can be maximized with a sudden or a rod or something. Now that I look at it, not a bad choice. Certainly superior to blistering.

Lingering: Unless you are using entangling, not a good use of a +1 level adjustment.

Maximize: If you got it in a rod, use it. If you are using it with a +3 level adjustment, not so much. Maximize doesn’t work well when damage is on the back-end. Saving throws do not advance when you use this feat, You’d be better off with an empowered fourth level spell, usually.

Purify: Since this is a cone right in front of you, and most wizards like to hang out behind a wall of meat, (editor: AHEM) Ooo! I mean, the heroic front line fighters, you might want to use this if you frequently have to drop spells on your own front line troops.

Sculpt: Oh yes. Better then Widen, because you can go from 15’ to 40’ with only a +1 level adjustment. Better still, make it a line when you are fighting in a corridor and then sudden widen it for 10’x240’ line of acid.

Selective: Again, do you frequently find your front line fighters in your target zone?

Wounding: Eh, no. Waste of a +2 level adjustment. Empower is a much better choice.

Scrolls

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Scrolls should be saved for special occasions, so getting a metamagic version of a spell on a scroll can really save your ass.

Acid Breath (SL3/CL5): 375 gp
   Damage: 5d6 = Avg 17.5 hp (21.43 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL6): 450 gp
   Damage: 6d6 = Avg 21 hp (21.43 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL7): 525 gp
   Damage: 7d6 = Avg 24.5 hp (21.43 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL8): 600 gp
   Damage: 8d6 = Avg 28 hp (21.43 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL9): 675 gp
   Damage: 9d6 = Avg 31.5 hp (21.43 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL10): 750 gp
   Damage: 10d6 = Avg 35 hp (21.43 gp/hp)

As you can see, the ratio of gold to damage remains constant as you increase the caster level. No surprises there.

Acid Breath Sculpt (SL4/CL7): 700 gp
   Damage: 7d6 = Avg 24.5 hp (28.57 gp/hp)
   A much better choice for a scroll. The added range and versatility of the area of effect is a good investment for the additional 175 gold you have to spend over the same 7th caster level spell without sculpt.

Acid Breath Empower/Sculpt (SL6/CL11): 1650 gp
   Damage: 10d6 x 1.5 = Avg 52.5 hp (31.43 gp/hp)
   Again, empower really shows it’s stuff here and is a much better choice if you include it with sculpt. The main point of most spells it to avoid getting too close. Sculpt takes that flaw away and the empower ramps up the damage. A sculpted Cone of cold would only do 38.5 at the same caster level.

Acid Breath Empower/Explosive/Sculpt (SL8/CL15): 3000 gp
   Damage: 10d6 x 1.5 = Avg 52.5 hp (57.14 gp/hp)
   By adding explosive, you have the option of blowing your enemy back 40 feet and really breaking up their attack formation. Not the best use of an 8th level spell, but not a bad one, either. Remember the explosive damage is multiplied by 1.5, so it could really add up.

Acid Breath Energy Sub (Fire)/Empower/Fiery/Sculpt (SL7/CL13): 2275 gp
   Damage: 10d6+10 x 1.5 = Avg 67.5 hp (33.70 gp/hp)
   For a plus one level adjustment, the gold to damage ratio doesn’t increase too much. Frankly, at this point, it’s throwing good levels after bad and most likely the highest level version of this spell you should scribe to the scroll before other spells start to look like a better overall choice.

Acid Breath Empower/Maximize/Sculpt (SL9/CL17): 3850 gp
   Damage: 90 hp (42.77 gp/hp)
   Much better choices for a 9th level spell. That said, this can be read safely by a 5th level wizard. You might wish to consider scribing it to hand off to someone else. The problem is, at the level encounters you will be fighting, they will make the save DC 17 without even trying.

Wands

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   The purpose of a wand is to use the same spell over and over. So there are only a few that jump out at me that I’d want to do that with.

Acid Breath (SL3/CL5): 11250 gp
   Damage: 5d6 = Avg 17.5 hp (12.86 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL6): 13500 gp
   Damage: 6d6 = Avg 21 hp (12.86 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL7): 15750 gp
   Damage: 7d6 = Avg 24.5 hp (12.86 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL8): 18000 gp
   Damage: 8d6 = Avg 28 hp (12.86 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL9): 20250 gp
   Damage: 9d6 = Avg 31.5 hp (12.86 gp/hp)
Acid Breath (SL3/CL10): 22500 gp
   Damage: 10d6 = Avg 35 hp (12.86 gp/hp)

   Again, the ratio remains constant over caster level increase and is much more cost effective then a scroll. No surprises there.

Acid Breath Sculpt (SL4/CL10): 30000 gp
   Damage: 10d6 = Avg 35 hp (17.14 gp/hp)
   Why skimp at this point? If you are going to drop acid all over the field of battle, go with a wand that gives you wiggle room to get around your allies.

Acid Breath Energy Sub (Fire)/Fiery (SL4/CL10): 30000 gp
   Damage: 10d6 +10 = Avg 45 hp (13.33 gp/hp)
   Not a horrible choice for a wand, the limited range will bite you in the ass, but if you like getting up close and personal, it certainly can dish out the damage. Fireball would be a much better choice, but as I said before, some people take evocation as a banned school.

And that wraps up this spell. I hope this helps to give you new ideas on this old spell.

[Captnq]

AFFLICTION

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- BOOK OF EXALTED DEEDS (3.5)
Necromancy [Good]
Level: Cleric 3, Druid 3, Sorcerer/Wizard 4, Wrath Domain 3
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Evil creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
The subject contracts an affliction selected from the list below, which strikes immediately (no incubation period). Afflictions deal damage only to evil creatures. Any evil creature takes damage equal to that listed plus its Charisma bonus. An evil elemental or evil undead takes an extra 1 point of damage, and an evil outsider or an evil Cleric of an evil deity takes an extra 2 points. The DC listed is for the subsequent saves (use affliction’s normal save DC for the initial saving throw).
Affliction (DC): Damage
Depraved decadence (18): 1d4 Str
Eternal torpor (14): 1d6 Dex
Raging desire (15): 1d3 Con
Consuming passion (17): 1d4 Int
Haunting conscience (16): 1d4 Wis
Pride in vain (20): 1d6 Cha

Editor (Blaster): Too Much effort for ability damage. Bestow curse works better. This is fortitude based and curse is will based. On the other hand, looking it over, if the spell is cast on someone who is really charismatic… a +4 charisma bonus to 1d3 con drain could be deadly, especially if this spell is a follow up AFTER the Bestow Curse. Also, it’s ability damage, not an ability penalty, so that means it stacks with other ability attacks. However, when you add the right metamagic feats…

Metamagic

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Black Lore of Moil: Okay, now, at first glance, you might do, YES! +3d6 extra damage! But it’s not ability damage, its negative energy damage. Still, an extra 3d6 damage along with the con drain could be rather deadly.

Chain: You have to reach the spell, then you can chain it. When you do so, the spell will be 8th or 9th level, depending on who’s casting it. Still, against a huge crowd, it could be deadly.

Empower: This works well when you are draining stats off a good looking evil dude.

Fell Drain: If you are looking to do hit point damage that cannot be healed, this adds an additional 5 points.

Fell Weaken: If you are looking to drop someone from strength drain, this is an excellent addition.

Maximize: Not cost effective when deal with such low numbers.

Ocular: Not normally a big fan of this feat, but in this case, it works well. The spell has a target other then personal, so you can turn it into a ray from your eyes for the same adjustment as a reach spell. Since the damage is ability damage, it will stack and thus you can hit the same person twice. Alas, you cannot chain an ocular spell, but you can split ray it.

Reach: Only if you wish to chain it. Otherwise, go with ocular spell.

Retributive: The problem is, the spell fails if your attacker isn’t evil.

Split Ray: If you use ocular spell, then splitting the ray is a must.

Twin: For the +4 adjustment, not worth it.

Scrolls

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Affliction (SL4/CL7): 700 gp
Depraved decadence: 1d4 Str = Avg 2.5 (280 gp/str)
Eternal torpor: 1d6 Dex = Avg 3.5 (200 gp/dex)
Raging desire: 1d3 Con = Avg 2 (350 gp/con)
Consuming passion: 1d4 Int = Avg 2.5 (280 gp/int)
Haunting conscience: 1d4 Wis = Avg 2.5 (280 gp/wis)
Pride in vain: 1d6 Cha = Avg 3.5 (200 gp/cha)

   These numbers are off slightly, as they don’t take into account what happens if you use it against a high charisma target. Basically, this is a spell for targeting good looking sorcerers. It’s a bit cheaper when you get it from a cleric.

Affliction (Raging desire) Black Lore of Moil (SL4/CL7): 775 gp
   Con Damage: 1d3 = Avg 2 (387.5 gp/con)
   Damage: 3d6 = Avg 10.5 (73.81 gp/hp)
   Now this reduces your target’s con by 2 on average and thus lowers his hit points by one for every level. So the higher your target, the more damage you do. On top of it, it causes a 10 or so. Against a sorcerer with a charisma of 18 who was 7th level, you would do on average a total of 21 damage from con drain and 10 from the BLoM. Enough to drop most 7th level sorcerers on average.

Affliction (Eternal Torpor) Empower (SL5/CL9): 1125 gp
   Dex Damage: 1d6 x 1.5 = Avg 5.25 (214.26 gp/dex)
   Or you can substitute charisma is you wish for the same result. Ironically, it becomes less effective, the most times you cast it as charisma damage. But a charisma 18 target would add another 6 to the damage, since it is empowered.

Affliction (Depraved decadence) Black Lore of Moil/Fell Weaken (SL5/CL9): 1200 gp
   Str Damage: 1d4 = Avg 6.5 (184.62 gp/str)
   Damage: 3d6 = Avg 10.5 (114.29 gp/hp)
   And here we use the synergy of fell weaken and the strength drain option in hopes of dropping the target with low strength. It doesn’t do it very well.

Affliction (Raging desire) Black Lore of Moil/Chain/Reach (SL9/CL17): 3850 gp
   Con Damage: 1d3 = Avg 2 (1925 gp/con)
   Damage: 3d6 = Avg 10.5 (366.67 gp/hp)
   Even if you hit 17 different targets with this, a chain lightning is far superior.

Affliction (Pride in Vain) Ocular/Empowered/Split Ray (SL9/CL17): 3850 gp
   Cha Damage: 1d6 x 1.5 x 2 = Avg 10.5 (366.67 gp/cha)
   Now, remember against a high charisma target, the damage ramps up fairly quickly. Furthermore, if you buy this scroll twice, you can have four rays come out of your eyes at your target at the same time. So, with a little luck, you could drop your target 21 charisma at base. If you were targeting some charisma 22 sorcerer, your damage would increase to 28.5, which you could do twice, just to make sure, in case he makes a few saving throws. And since all the rays hit at the same time, the charisma loss doesn’t take effect until after damage is resolved.

[skydragonknight]

The best way to torture a Succubus while simultaneously becoming more Good aligned?
"Repent, foul creature!" *1d6+10 Dex damage. Succubus passes out*

"Hmm...yeah, I'll be Chaotic Good" *closes curtain*

[Wrex]

The best way to torture a Succubus while simultaneously becoming more Good aligned?
"Repent, foul creature!" *1d6+10 Dex damage. Succubus passes out*

"Hmm...yeah, I'll be Chaotic Good" *closes curtain*

It's dex damage, she is still conscious, if paralyzed. Which may be better or worse, depending on your disposition.