Direct damage spell analysis

[Horpner Sneed]

I put together a spreadsheet of all the direct damage spells in Wizardry 8, in order to discover the most efficient direct damage spells.


Before seeing the results, keep in mind:


1. A few spells that do direct damage plus other effects, e.g., Prismic Chaos, are not included because the damage they do is not automatic or remains undocumented.


2. It is situational. A spells efficiency depends greatly on the resistances and immunities and current range of the target.


3. A few spells have beneficial side effects, that are not considered here.


Efficiency is measure by potential damage per spell point spent. So a 100% efficient spell will do 1 point per spell point spent.


With that out of the way, here goes:

Single Target
Spell	Level	Cost	Damage/Level	Efficiency	Max Damage
Lifesteal	6	12	10	83%	70
Might to Magic	6	12	15	125%	105
Mind Stab	1	3	5	167%	35
Boiling Blood	6	12	20	167%	140
Acid Splash	1	2	4	200%	28
Energy Blast	1	2	4	200%	28
Frost	1	2	4	200%	28
Make Wounds	1	2	4	200%	28
Crush	4	8	16	200%	112
Dehydrate	5	10	20	200%	140
Cerebral Hemorrhage	7	12	25	208%	175
Concussion	7	12	25	208%	175

Of the single target spells, the worst is Lifesteal, at 83%. Don't bother with it unless you want the side effect, or have nothing better. The rest are quite good, with Mind Stab notable as clearly the best 1st level Single Target spell, especially considering its side effect.


There's a sad dearth of good Single Target spells after first level (Crush is the only one available to mid-level parties). This helps explains why magic-heavy parties have such a difficult time with a strong single opponent. Even the high level single target spells are really not good enough for destroying powerful enemies. If there is a category of spells in Wizardry 8 that is underpowered, it is these. They just don't pack much of a punch.

Cone
Spell	Level	Cost	Damage/Level	Efficiency	Max Damage
Whirlwind	4	7	5	71%	35
Lightning	6	12	9	75%	63
Blizzard	6	12	10	83%	70
Magic Missiles	2	4	4	100%	28
Shrill Sound	2	3	3	100%	21
Psionic Fire	3	6	6	100%	42
Whipping Rocks	3	6	6	100%	42
Ego Whip	4	8	8	100%	56
Tsunami	7	15	15	100%	105

The cone spells are, as a group, a good investment whenever you can target more than one opponent at a time. Even a mere two targets in range renders most of these spells better than their single target alternative. When you can arrange to have more targets than that, they are a steal for the price.

Radius
Spell	Level	Cost	Damage/Level	Efficiency	Max Damage
Noxious Fumes	3	5	3.5	70%	24.5
Fire Bomb	4	8	6	75%	42
Iceball	4	8	6	75%	42
Fireball	3	6	5	83%	35
Holy Water	2	5	6	120%	42

The radius spells are overpriced and under-powered, but they make up for it by being long range, and easier to target.


You should instead opt for the cone spells whenever possible to save mana. In addition, cones do more damage per target.

Continuous
Name	Level	Cost	Damage/Level	Efficiency	Max Damage
Toxic Cloud	5	8	2.5	31%	122.5
Acid Bomb	4	8	3.5	44%	171.5
Firestorm	6	12	5	42%	245

If you've got the time, I've got the spell. These are hands down the best direct damage spells in certain situations. You've got to have the time, skill and mana necessary to let the spell do damage for at least 3 rounds to get your mana's worth. A power level 1 or two version of these spells is much weaker and less efficient than a regular radius spell; I would not even bother with it unless you have no other means to train that realm.

Group
Name	Level	Cost	Damage/Level	Efficiency	Max
Psionic Blast	5	10	8	80%	56

A unique direct damage spell, use it only as a more powerful version of Insanity when you've got spell points to spare.

All
Name	Level	Cost	Damage/Level	Efficiency	Max
Falling Stars	7	16	9	56%	63
Earthquake	7	18	12	67%	84
Mind Flay	7	18	12	67%	84
Nuclear Blast	7	18	12	67%	84
Banish	6	10	15	150%	105

These are the big-ticket items of direct damage spells, but they are somewhat disappointing. They are better than a well-placed radius spell, but less efficient. Their total damage potential is high, but not high enough to turn the tide of most battles. In sum, I recommend the continuous damage spells over these spells in most situations.


There you have it. Any more ideas, thoughts, analyses or charts are welcome.


Horp

[Scatter]

I generally go for the mass instakillers first if i have Powercast, first a Death Cloud, then Quicksand and Death Wish.
Ball spells are the only ones effective against targets you can't see, which is great if you also have X-Ray.

[Ragash]

I use Falling Stars with my uber solo Lord to kill off low level critters that gang up on her.. takes too long to run after them and off them to end combat, especially if they're distant attackers that line up.. a quick Falling Stars just wipes em out [img]smile.gif[/img]

I'll post an update on my progress with her in a bit, she's level 26 now with maxed resists and skills, and I haven't even done anything in the storyline yet [img]tongue.gif[/img]

EDIT: But yes, it's a really miserable level 7 spell. But then again, it's from the priest spellbook..

[ 01-30-2004, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Ragash ]

[ferro287]

Funny, I made the more or less the same list a month ago.

One thing to note is, that the cloud spells aren't rated right in the list, since it's damage/level^2 (the cloud lasts longer, the higher the level), so the ratio only apply to lvl 1 version of the spell. The Max damage you give is for lvl 7, but the efficiency could be multiplied by 7 as well, which would give 219%, 306% and 292% respectively.

Edit: ofc Toxic clouds rocks because of side effects mainly (so many get unconcious after a couple of rounds). And Psionic blast can be extremely effective if you can't see your targets, so i wouldn't call it improved insanity. Likewise single lvl 1 target spells have thrown range, while the higher level versions (except lifesteal/might to magic) are long range, another thing to note in the chart.

[ 01-31-2004, 04:37 AM: Message edited by: ferro287 ]

[Horpner Sneed]

Thanks for the comments.

I found out how great toxic cloud was the first time those Oak Saplings cast it on me. My "powerful" party was whimpering in the corner soon afterwards.