A Level Eight Spell Selection Dilemma

[Dundee Slaytern]

... ...

As I compiled my Solo Sorcerer Spell List, I realised there was a vacant spot for the level 8 spell section. I have 3 confirmed already,

Spell Trigger,
Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting,
and Pierce Shield.

The fourth used to be Simulacrum, but Project Image has rendered it useless; and because it became useless, it meant that it was taking up a valuable spell slot.

However... I could not decide on a suitable replacement... ...

Incendiary Cloud and Protection from Energy are the main contenders.

Which one should I choose?!?! Please state your reasons why too, other level 8 spells are welcome too.

[Tim Tam]

Depends somewhat on your other spell choices. Prot from Energy is useless to me as I also have Prot from Elements and Prot from Magic Energy.

Incendiary Cloud does awesome damage over time, but it's fire damage is resisted a lot in ToB and it's a bit cheesy, like cloudkill.

I thought you liked Symbol, Stun? You were using it as a trap, why not anymore?

The only other 2 spells here I would consider are Power Word, Blind and Bigby's Clenched Fist. Bigby's holds with no save for the first round, and you arent afraid of using spells that require saving throws so the damage it does in subsequent rounds while holding is very nice as well.

Between your choices on offer in this thread though, go for Prot from Energy over Incendiary Cloud. You dont seem like the type to sit back for a turn while a spell kills everything offscreen.

[Mitro Jellywadder]

I took Abi's, Spell Trigger, Maze, and Summon Fiend. With Spellstrike and Lower Resistance, I have no need for Pierce Shield.
I took Maze, just in case I need a little breathing room. Maze a couple of enemies, then launch a few skull traps at their re-appearing point. I took Summon Fiend, just because I'm sick of them doing it to me.

You could always use your Greater Malison, Web, Web trigger and then Incendiary Cloud. Then again, 20 rounds of 75% resistance isn't bad either.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Mitro... you might encounter some problems later on if you do not have Pierce Shield. The main reason why I chose Pierce Shield was not because of its' ability to remove spell protections, but to lower enemies' Magic Resistances if they are immuned to Lower Resistance.

One example, Demogorgan.

Bigby's Clenched Fist is definitely not in contention because when you have ADHW, there is no point in having BCF.

Thanks for reminding me of Symbol Stun though, that will be the one to go into the list then.

You know, I realised my spell lists tend to be mostly red. Heh, mostly firepower, all the better to terrorise my enemies with.

Thanks for the input.

[Mitro Jellywadder]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern:
Mitro... you might encounter some problems later on if you do not have Pierce Shield. The main reason why I chose Pierce Shield was not because of its' ability to remove spell protections, but to lower enemies' Magic Resistances if they are immuned to Lower Resistance.

One example, Demogorgan.

---

I believe I will encounter some trouble. I hadn't thought about that. [img]graemlins/nono.gif[/img] Seeing as my spells are complete, I have no choice in the matter now. Demogorgan...*sigh*...gotta come up with some good tactics.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Heh, found the thread where I listed a tactic I would have used until I discovered that Demogorgan was affected by Pierce Shield.

Melee Sorcerer!

[Encard]

Hmm... for four spells, I'd have to suggest Horrid Wilting (to replace Incindiary Cloud), Spell Trigger, Pierce Shield, and Symbol, Stun. The big problem with incindiary cloud is that you need the target to stay in the cloud to take damage, while you stay outside of it which means you essentially have to cast it either only through dorrways or in places with a good deal of room if you have Staff of the Magi and know you won't be detected. This can get unpleasant... and you also may not have seen just how much damage a Chain Contingency: Horrid Wilting x3 can do... it's an even easier way of killing dragons and things like that than cloudkill, actually, since it generally gets them either to dead or near death, and in the first case one hit from just about anything that does 10 or more damage will kill them (although you'd need to use at least 3 lower resists first for a dragon, done best by using Spell Trigger: Lower Resist x3). So much fancy damage... *cackle* Hmm... Symbol, Stun is an overall good spell, especially if you've used Greater Malaison on the targets first, since the lenght of the stun essentially means they'll be killed by you before it's over (1 round per level... *cackle*) and both Spell Trigger and Pierce Shield are very useful spells.

[Mitro Jellywadder]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern:
Heh, found the thread where I listed a tactic I would have used until I discovered that Demogorgan was affected by Pierce Shield.

Melee Sorcerer!

---

[img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] I just noticed that I would have used in the post. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] They look good at least. Well, I just got out of the Underdark and right after I kill....um...that group that meets you..
(Gotta see if I can do it solo. ) I'm heading back down to WK.
I'll try your tactics and see what happens. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Dundee Slaytern]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Encard:
Hmm... for four spells, I'd have to suggest Horrid Wilting (to replace Incindiary Cloud), Spell Trigger, Pierce Shield, and Symbol, Stun. The big problem with incindiary cloud is that you need the target to stay in the cloud to take damage, while you stay outside of it which means you essentially have to cast it either only through dorrways or in places with a good deal of room if you have Staff of the Magi and know you won't be detected. This can get unpleasant... and you also may not have seen just how much damage a Chain Contingency: Horrid Wilting x3 can do... it's an even easier way of killing dragons and things like that than cloudkill, actually, since it generally gets them either to dead or near death, and in the first case one hit from just about anything that does 10 or more damage will kill them (although you'd need to use at least 3 lower resists first for a dragon, done best by using Spell Trigger: Lower Resist x3).

---

Dude, I never said I was going to replace ADHW with Incendiary Cloud, and Hell yes I do know how much damage 3 ADHW in a Chain Contingency can do.

I even made a freaking thread about it. 2 and a half months ago.

Ironically, I was dissing Wish at that time, my, my, how time changes things.

[Dundee Slaytern]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mitro Jellywadder:
[img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] I just noticed that I would have used in the post. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] They look good at least. Well, I just got out of the Underdark and right after I kill....um...that group that meets you..
(Gotta see if I can do it solo. ) I'm heading back down to WK.
I'll try your tactics and see what happens. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

---

Feel free to modify it to your needs, as you know our spell lists are different. Good luck!