New favorite spell (spoilers)

karlosovic · 01-22-2003, 09:54 AM

well not quite, but I've recently come to a new appreciation of the 1st level spell Chromatic Orb. I'd previously written it off as useless compared to MM for a level 1 mage spell, but playing the druid avenger (who has access to a few mage spells) caused me to give it another go. After being impressed by this spell's effectiveness against trolls in the druid grove, I decided to keep 1 memorised in my solo game.

The character is a female elven lvl 12/13/15 f/m/t. I decided to pay off the thieves a bit earlier than I normally would and go rescue Imoen already. While clearing out a certain nest of Vampyres, I cleared out the bottom section and came back up to the nasty spike room to take on Lassal. Being that I'd used several spells already downstairs, the only quick offensive spell I had left was Chromatic Orb. Opting to have a quick blast at him before joining melee and flailing his ass, I was most suprised when Bodhi's Lieutenant turned into a ghost as soon as my little Orb hit.

"what, that all you got ?!"

The stun and instant death features of this spell seem to work a lot more than I'd expected from reading the description. Most trolls I've hit with it die instantly, and umber hulks were all being frozen solid for me to pick apart at leisure. Not a bad alternative to good 'ol Magic Missile, pity they're both Evocation. The description says save=negate, surely that many enemies can't all be totally failing their saves ? I'd say it works >50%

Raistlin Majere · 01-22-2003, 10:42 AM

Chromatic orb rules! Magic missle on the other hand is good to eat away stoneskins and mirror images, so i usually keep at least one MM memorized too. the best first level spells in my opinion are

1) Chromatic Orb
2) MM
3) Spook

Alson · 01-22-2003, 10:48 AM

Magic Missile does not remove Stoneskin. It does remove Mirror Image, though.

Raistlin Majere · 01-22-2003, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alson:
Magic Missile does not remove Stoneskin. It does remove Mirror Image, though.

It doesnt? you sure about that? Im almost certain that i casted MM on Rayic Gethras and it ate away his stoneskin. It could be though that my skeleton ally had hit at the same time resulting to the stoneskin being disabled and my MM hitting/disrupting his spell. I could almost swear that it does though.

Alson · 01-22-2003, 11:27 AM

I'm quite sure, yeah.

Tested it personally for the Spell Reference.

daan · 01-22-2003, 11:28 AM

Nope, I'm afraid it doesnt in my game either [img]smile.gif[/img]
Much like skull-trap,.. the damage goes right through

EDIT:
*mubmles* stupid people keep typing faster *mumbles*

[ 01-22-2003, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: daan ]

Pyrenk · 01-22-2003, 01:56 PM

Trolls die 'cause of the acid damage.

Rataxes · 01-22-2003, 02:07 PM

Chromatic Orb does seem pretty bad if you just go by the spell description, fairly poor damage combined with a HUGE +6 Saving Throws bonus for the target. You can negate that with Greater Malison + Doom, but it's still just at 0.

I've never made any use of it so maybe the +6 Save bonuses are a bit off, but I prefer the far more reliable spells of Spook (target saves at a maximum -6 penalty!!), and Magic Missile.

SixOfSpades · 01-22-2003, 07:29 PM

The real pity is finding scrolls of Spook. Sure, you can choose it as a starting spell for your PC, but I've never found a scroll of it before Chapter 5. Waaaahh.....

01-22-2003, 09:54 AM	#1
karlosovic Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: December 1, 2002 Location: Newcastle, Australia Age: 46 Posts: 636	well not quite, but I've recently come to a new appreciation of the 1st level spell Chromatic Orb. I'd previously written it off as useless compared to MM for a level 1 mage spell, but playing the druid avenger (who has access to a few mage spells) caused me to give it another go. After being impressed by this spell's effectiveness against trolls in the druid grove, I decided to keep 1 memorised in my solo game. The character is a female elven lvl 12/13/15 f/m/t. I decided to pay off the thieves a bit earlier than I normally would and go rescue Imoen already. While clearing out a certain nest of Vampyres, I cleared out the bottom section and came back up to the nasty spike room to take on Lassal. Being that I'd used several spells already downstairs, the only quick offensive spell I had left was Chromatic Orb. Opting to have a quick blast at him before joining melee and flailing his ass, I was most suprised when Bodhi's Lieutenant turned into a ghost as soon as my little Orb hit. "what, that all you got ?!" The stun and instant death features of this spell seem to work a lot more than I'd expected from reading the description. Most trolls I've hit with it die instantly, and umber hulks were all being frozen solid for me to pick apart at leisure. Not a bad alternative to good 'ol Magic Missile, pity they're both Evocation. The description says save=negate, surely that many enemies can't all be totally failing their saves ? I'd say it works >50% __________________ Sunglasses of Coolness +2<br /><br />Cernd: \"It is with great pride and pleasure that I accept this Most Valuable Player award....\"<br />(from the genius of Six of Spades)

01-22-2003, 10:42 AM	#2
Raistlin Majere Ra Join Date: March 26, 2002 Location: Finland Age: 36 Posts: 2,323	Chromatic orb rules! Magic missle on the other hand is good to eat away stoneskins and mirror images, so i usually keep at least one MM memorized too. the best first level spells in my opinion are 1) Chromatic Orb 2) MM 3) Spook __________________ If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst forth at once in the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One. "I am become death, the destroyer of worlds."

01-22-2003, 11:28 AM	#6
daan Silver Dragon Join Date: August 25, 2001 Location: - Age: 38 Posts: 1,644	Nope, I'm afraid it doesnt in my game either [img]smile.gif[/img] Much like skull-trap,.. the damage goes right through EDIT: mubmles stupid people keep typing faster mumbles [ 01-22-2003, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: daan ] __________________ <strong> Odi et Amo. Quare id faciam facisse requires ? Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior </strong><br /><br /><strong> Amantem cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus </strong>

01-22-2003, 01:56 PM	#7
Pyrenk Symbol of Cyric Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Old Bethpage, Long Island Age: 35 Posts: 1,156	Trolls die 'cause of the acid damage. __________________

01-22-2003, 02:07 PM	#8
Rataxes Symbol of Cyric Join Date: November 17, 2002 Location: Sweden Age: 38 Posts: 1,359	Chromatic Orb does seem pretty bad if you just go by the spell description, fairly poor damage combined with a HUGE +6 Saving Throws bonus for the target. You can negate that with Greater Malison + Doom, but it's still just at 0. I've never made any use of it so maybe the +6 Save bonuses are a bit off, but I prefer the far more reliable spells of Spook (target saves at a maximum -6 penalty!!), and Magic Missile. __________________ [img]\"http://atlas.walagata.com/w/rataxes/ymca3.jpg\" alt=\" - \" /><br />I want <b>YOU!</b>

01-22-2003, 10:48 AM	#3
Alson Galvatron Join Date: December 14, 2001 Location: Israel Age: 36 Posts: 2,187	Magic Missile does not remove Stoneskin. It does remove Mirror Image, though.

01-22-2003, 11:27 AM	#5
Alson Galvatron Join Date: December 14, 2001 Location: Israel Age: 36 Posts: 2,187	I'm quite sure, yeah. Tested it personally for the Spell Reference.

01-22-2003, 07:29 PM	#9
SixOfSpades Dracolisk Join Date: September 16, 2001 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA Age: 46 Posts: 6,901	The real pity is finding scrolls of Spook. Sure, you can choose it as a starting spell for your PC, but I've never found a scroll of it before Chapter 5. Waaaahh..... __________________ Volothamp's Comeuppance Everything you ever needed to know about the entire Baldur's Gate series......except spoilers.

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