Topic: Lightning bolt.

[Malim]

Is there anybody who uses lightning bolt differently?
As I see it, its a VERY powerful level 10 spell compared to weapons and other spells.

[Elf-Mage]

Yes, it's a really powerful spell. But, on the other hand, it is the most expensive and high level of the Magicians basic attack spells.

It shouldn't need editing, as the fact that its a 10th level spell to start with is enough of a balancing factor. The only time it becomes truly scary is when someone has the "Innate Magician" BGO from Companion 1. Apart from that, most mages don't truly bother with a lightning bolt, when they have shock bolt, which is lower level, cheaper, and easier to cast. They tend to save lightning bolt for big bad guys, high level monsters and the like.

[Malim]

We have a magician with scope skills and quick concentration and he is lvl 11.
So lightning bolt every other round and at 2 targets

[Warl]

Even with Scope skills, you are going to get 2 targets instead of one.. But at this point you with a level 11 Magician, you can cast a fire bolt from 300 feet away, or cast a fireball for less power and hit everyone in a 20' Radius. (20' because you got scope skills, 10' if you didn't which is still better than the 1 target base lightning bolt.)

Not to mention the level 11 Caster still needs to do the prep time or risk ESF.... where you could cast 2 or 3 shock bolts for less power in the same amount of time. ..

[bpowell]

Even with Scope skills, you are going to get 2 targets instead of one.. But at this point you with a level 11 Magician, you can cast a fire bolt from 300 feet away, or cast a fireball for less power and hit everyone in a 20' Radius. (20' because you got scope skills, 10' if you didn't which is still better than the 1 target base lightning bolt.)

Not to mention the level 11 Caster still needs to do the prep time or risk ESF.... where you could cast 2 or 3 shock bolts for less power in the same amount of time. ..

And in the prep time all of the archer type are going to be yelling..."Get the mage!  Get the mage!!".  The reason that counter battery attack are so devastating.

-BP

[Elf-Mage]

I've played a Magician before, as well as been in parties with them, and seen how special items and abilities can affect spells. However, in a general sense, my original point is valid. Normally, Lightning Bolt is a highly potent, but very costly offensive spell. If you wanted to take down lots of opponents, use something like Fireball instead. On the whole, it's more cost effective in PP's to use it than to hose the battlefield with lightning bolts. Save the Lightning Bolt for bigger things, don't just use it as suppressive fire.

Also, in combat, it's standard practice for anyone with any sense to target Mages first. Otherwise they can and will rain magical destruction down everywhere.

[yammahoper]

Staff of Lightning, 800gp. Best offensive investment ever.

[Malim]

Staff of Lightning, 800gp. Best offensive investment ever.

Amen

[Malleable]

AND don't you have to raise your Directed Spell in Lightning Bolt to have any accuracy with it?  If you don't get the spell until 10th, you can't raise that skill until 10th.  Without raising it, you have just your stat/profession bonus as skill, right?  Isn't that like fighting with a weapon with just stat/profession bonus?

If I am wrong in how Directed Spell skill, please let me know.

Mal

[tbigness]

You also get the Category or Similar Skill bonus depending on system and can start investing in Directed spell skill as soon as the spell is know which can be as low as 4th level in some cases.

[Ecthelion]

You also get the Category or Similar Skill bonus depending on system and can start investing in Directed spell skill as soon as the spell is know which can be as low as 4th level in some cases.

Or 1st level if playing a High Elf (4 ranks in open/base lists) Magician (can learn 3 ranks as hobbies) that uses the Amateur Mage (3 ranks in an open/base) list  . Fulfills the requirement for ranks in Directed Spells to be able to (theoretically) case the spell once per day - not that he could realistically cast the spell without damaging himself via the spell failures...

[yammahoper]

Charged Items attack at the level needed to make it; level 20 for staff of lightning. So the attack is resolved as if caster has 20 ranks in directed spell skill lightning plus category bonus. The item resist at level 20.

Charged and daily items are low level blessings 

[Malleable]

Ahhh wasn't thinking about maxing ranks so early (which is something my own character excels at, so should have realized that).
And didn't think about the charged item providing ranks in directed spells.

Thanks,
Mal

[Majyk]

We ended up nerfing this BGO by taking the difference in Character Level and Spell Level being cast, and making the PC have to wait until that many hours/days/weeks passed before being able to use a higher level spell again.

****The only time it becomes truly scary is when someone has the "Innate Magician" BGO from Companion 1.****