DracoDei
2010-10-15, 07:07 PM
So... can you tell I got Complete Arcane recently?
Analysis/Development thoughts
I started making a invocation using creature, realized the fluff required them to have a special ability that worked better as a new blast shape... and several hours later, including a spreadsheet, here it is.
I also realize someone probably has done a simple 2-ray version of this before... but what can I say? I like mathmatics.
I am posting it separately, as well as with the creature, so that people can find it easier. The creature itself will be along... at a later date maybe someday.
I am fully aware that for a PC the major value is in hitting multiple targets with non-damaging effects (despite the reduced DC) and that otherwise this is the TWF to unmodified blasting's 2-Hander... or something like that. At least it only takes a standard action rather than a full-round action and doesn't come with any to-hit penalties. The basic mechanic was that for each extra blast you are losing a die in total power. The chart goes up to 15 to allow for Bhu's Lazor Kitteh PrC, and then going to a multiple of 5 (which might be useful for Epic Lazor Kitteh's, and I have no idea how Hellfire Warlock works (not having that book), so I wanted to make allowances for that).
I checked, and it can hit more targets than Eldritch Chain, and, of course, it has better range than Eldritch Doom. As such their is actually theoretically a place for hanging on to this all the way to 20th level and beyond... of course, most PCs will get more millage out of Eldritch Chain or Eldritch Cone, but it could make for an amusing PC... actually, never mind, I think I just HAVE to make that one and I don't want to spoil the surprise (it is mostly finished at the very end here).
The Blue I used for the name was #000020.
Split Blast
Least; 2nd; Blast Shape
You split your blast into 2 or more smaller blasts, at the cost of some total power. All attacks use your full BAB (IE they are more like Scorching Ray (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/scorchingRay.htm) than a high level fighter's full-attack). You must announce the number of blasts you will be firing before resolving any of them. The maximum number of blasts you may fire is based on how many dice would be in the blast if you didn't use any blast shape invocations (including this one) on it and is given in the following chart, as well as implicitly in the larger chart further below.
Dice
Maximum Number of Blasts
1-2
2
3-4
3
5
4
6
5
7+
6
If you get extra dice (such as from a prestige class or feat), even if they are of differing sizes (such of as those of Bhu's Lazor Kitteh (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9346626&postcount=34) PrC's Chargin' Ma LAZOR! class feature) they count towards this, but you must assign the specific dice (in terms of number of sides) to specific blasts in the barrage at this time as well. The exception to this is in cases where a specific number of sides is specified for the dice, in which case the number of sides on the dice you would roll normally is irrelevant. You MAY resolve each blast individually, including deciding targeting, before proceeding to the next. Often it is a good time-saving measure to simply give a rule you are following for that particular use of this invocation such as "I am shooting each of the identical casters starting from left remaining on each one until I hit it, then continuing to the next only if it winks out existence, indicating it is a Mirror Image then continuing to fire on that one with the remaining blasts." (except most people could communicate this concept to their specific GM much more succinctly) followed by rolling as many d20s as blasts you are going to fire, and having the GM tell you how many hit the identical ACs.
The DC of any saving throw forced by a split blast is reduced by the total number of blasts fired and any secondary effects (such as catching on fire) can only successfully effect a given target a maximum of once per volley.
The following table gives the number and power of the blasts you can fire in terms of dice :
Normal
2
3
4
5
6
1dX 1* - - - - - [/td]- -
2dX 1d2* - - - - - -
3dX 1dX 1* - - - - -
4dX 1dX + 1 1d3* - - - - -
5dX 2dX 1dX 1d2* - - - -
6dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 1 1d4* 1* - - -
7dX 3dX 1dX + 2 1dX 1d3* 1* - -
8dX 3dX + 1 2dX 1dX 1d4* 1d2* 1* -
9dX 4dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 1 1dX 1d3* 1d2* -
10dX 4dX + 1 2dX + 2 1dX + 2 1dX 1d4* 1d3* 1*
11dX 5dX 3dX 2dX 1dX + 1 1dX 1d4* 1d2*
12dX 5dX + 1 3dX + 1 2dX 1dX + 2 1dX 1d4* 1d3*
13dX 6dX 3dX + 2 2dX + 1 1dX + 2 1dX + 1 1dX 1d4*
14dX 6dX + 1 4dX 2dX + 2 2dX 1dX + 1 1dX 1d4*
15dX 7dX 4dX + 1 3dX 2dX 1dX + 2 1dX + 1 ?
16dX 7dX + 1 4dX + 2 3dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 2 1dX + 1 ?
17dX 8dX 5dX 3dX + 1 2dX + 2 2dX 1dX + 2 ?
18dX 8dX + 1 5dX + 1 3dX +2 2dX + 2 2dX 1dX + 2 ?
19dX 9dX 5dX + 2 4dX 3dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 2 ?
20dX 9dX + 1 6dX 4dX 3dX 2dX + 1 2dX ?
* The number of sides on the dice you would normally roll for your eldritch blast are irrelevant in this case.
Example NPC:
EL 1 (Or maybe more like 3/4): The human, is filthy, smelly (mostly due to the mark of his trade, a pole with dead rats hanging from it that he carries over one shoulder) A rat-terrier follows closely on his heels (use standard dog stats). Samuel Rat-killer's (Born Samuel Fritz) great-grandfather made a deal with a devil in exchange for power, and the taint spread to his decedents. Samuel changed his last name to match his adopted trade (with his parent's blessing) to distance himself from that legacy. He doesn't see why he shouldn't get some good out of this bane of his existence (and lacks experience in social situations), and so uses his Eldritch Blast freely in his profession (indeed, it was why he got into the business in the first place). He tends to be very matter-of-fact about his business, often simply announcing his arrival in a shout when he reaches the property (so as not to be attacked as a trespasser), and usually not speaking another word to anyone but his rat-terrier, Bucky until it is time to collect his bounty.
(This should be done to the usual standards of this board I think.)
Samuel Rat-Killer
Chaotic Neutral/Male/Human/Warlock 1
Init +1, Senses: Listen -1, Spot -1
Languages Common
------------------------------------------------
AC 11 , touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex)
hp 4 (1d6+1 HD)
Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +1
------------------------------------------------
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Attack Dagger +0 melee (1d4 damage) OR Eldritch Blast +2 Ranged Touch (1d6 damage) OR Split Blast Eldritch Blast +2/+2 Ranged Touches (1 damage)
Full Attack (As Above)
Base Atk +0, Grp +0
Atk Options Eldritch Blast, Split Blast
Combat Gear Dagger, (and padded armor if the weather is cold, or he expects on crawling into a tight space where he might get attacked by rats etc where he can't get out quickly, or in the very rare case that he is actually expecting a fight from anything other than rats and such).
Supernatural Abilities Eldritch Blast 1d6, Split Blast
-----------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8 , Cha 8
Feats Skill Focus (Profession[Rat-Catcher]), Weapon Focus (Eldritch Blast)
Skills Handle Animal +1, Profession [Rat-Catcher] +7
Possessions
Usually with him: 8 rat-traps, 1 trap for critters up to Tiny, Rat Terrier named Bucky, 6' pole with rats usually hanging from it and a very sharp barbed needle (like a gaff) on the end for retrieving rats he has blasted in tight spaces.
Not usually, or never with him: 4 spare rat-traps, Padded Armor (doubles as his colder weather cloths), Soap (never carried unless he is on his way to the creek to bathe, which is rarely), Small Hut (OBVIOUSLY never carried!)
Analysis/Development thoughts
I started making a invocation using creature, realized the fluff required them to have a special ability that worked better as a new blast shape... and several hours later, including a spreadsheet, here it is.
I also realize someone probably has done a simple 2-ray version of this before... but what can I say? I like mathmatics.
I am posting it separately, as well as with the creature, so that people can find it easier. The creature itself will be along... at a later date maybe someday.
I am fully aware that for a PC the major value is in hitting multiple targets with non-damaging effects (despite the reduced DC) and that otherwise this is the TWF to unmodified blasting's 2-Hander... or something like that. At least it only takes a standard action rather than a full-round action and doesn't come with any to-hit penalties. The basic mechanic was that for each extra blast you are losing a die in total power. The chart goes up to 15 to allow for Bhu's Lazor Kitteh PrC, and then going to a multiple of 5 (which might be useful for Epic Lazor Kitteh's, and I have no idea how Hellfire Warlock works (not having that book), so I wanted to make allowances for that).
I checked, and it can hit more targets than Eldritch Chain, and, of course, it has better range than Eldritch Doom. As such their is actually theoretically a place for hanging on to this all the way to 20th level and beyond... of course, most PCs will get more millage out of Eldritch Chain or Eldritch Cone, but it could make for an amusing PC... actually, never mind, I think I just HAVE to make that one and I don't want to spoil the surprise (it is mostly finished at the very end here).
The Blue I used for the name was #000020.
Split Blast
Least; 2nd; Blast Shape
You split your blast into 2 or more smaller blasts, at the cost of some total power. All attacks use your full BAB (IE they are more like Scorching Ray (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/scorchingRay.htm) than a high level fighter's full-attack). You must announce the number of blasts you will be firing before resolving any of them. The maximum number of blasts you may fire is based on how many dice would be in the blast if you didn't use any blast shape invocations (including this one) on it and is given in the following chart, as well as implicitly in the larger chart further below.
Dice
Maximum Number of Blasts
1-2
2
3-4
3
5
4
6
5
7+
6
If you get extra dice (such as from a prestige class or feat), even if they are of differing sizes (such of as those of Bhu's Lazor Kitteh (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9346626&postcount=34) PrC's Chargin' Ma LAZOR! class feature) they count towards this, but you must assign the specific dice (in terms of number of sides) to specific blasts in the barrage at this time as well. The exception to this is in cases where a specific number of sides is specified for the dice, in which case the number of sides on the dice you would roll normally is irrelevant. You MAY resolve each blast individually, including deciding targeting, before proceeding to the next. Often it is a good time-saving measure to simply give a rule you are following for that particular use of this invocation such as "I am shooting each of the identical casters starting from left remaining on each one until I hit it, then continuing to the next only if it winks out existence, indicating it is a Mirror Image then continuing to fire on that one with the remaining blasts." (except most people could communicate this concept to their specific GM much more succinctly) followed by rolling as many d20s as blasts you are going to fire, and having the GM tell you how many hit the identical ACs.
The DC of any saving throw forced by a split blast is reduced by the total number of blasts fired and any secondary effects (such as catching on fire) can only successfully effect a given target a maximum of once per volley.
The following table gives the number and power of the blasts you can fire in terms of dice :
Normal
2
3
4
5
6
1dX 1* - - - - - [/td]- -
2dX 1d2* - - - - - -
3dX 1dX 1* - - - - -
4dX 1dX + 1 1d3* - - - - -
5dX 2dX 1dX 1d2* - - - -
6dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 1 1d4* 1* - - -
7dX 3dX 1dX + 2 1dX 1d3* 1* - -
8dX 3dX + 1 2dX 1dX 1d4* 1d2* 1* -
9dX 4dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 1 1dX 1d3* 1d2* -
10dX 4dX + 1 2dX + 2 1dX + 2 1dX 1d4* 1d3* 1*
11dX 5dX 3dX 2dX 1dX + 1 1dX 1d4* 1d2*
12dX 5dX + 1 3dX + 1 2dX 1dX + 2 1dX 1d4* 1d3*
13dX 6dX 3dX + 2 2dX + 1 1dX + 2 1dX + 1 1dX 1d4*
14dX 6dX + 1 4dX 2dX + 2 2dX 1dX + 1 1dX 1d4*
15dX 7dX 4dX + 1 3dX 2dX 1dX + 2 1dX + 1 ?
16dX 7dX + 1 4dX + 2 3dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 2 1dX + 1 ?
17dX 8dX 5dX 3dX + 1 2dX + 2 2dX 1dX + 2 ?
18dX 8dX + 1 5dX + 1 3dX +2 2dX + 2 2dX 1dX + 2 ?
19dX 9dX 5dX + 2 4dX 3dX 2dX + 1 1dX + 2 ?
20dX 9dX + 1 6dX 4dX 3dX 2dX + 1 2dX ?
* The number of sides on the dice you would normally roll for your eldritch blast are irrelevant in this case.
Example NPC:
EL 1 (Or maybe more like 3/4): The human, is filthy, smelly (mostly due to the mark of his trade, a pole with dead rats hanging from it that he carries over one shoulder) A rat-terrier follows closely on his heels (use standard dog stats). Samuel Rat-killer's (Born Samuel Fritz) great-grandfather made a deal with a devil in exchange for power, and the taint spread to his decedents. Samuel changed his last name to match his adopted trade (with his parent's blessing) to distance himself from that legacy. He doesn't see why he shouldn't get some good out of this bane of his existence (and lacks experience in social situations), and so uses his Eldritch Blast freely in his profession (indeed, it was why he got into the business in the first place). He tends to be very matter-of-fact about his business, often simply announcing his arrival in a shout when he reaches the property (so as not to be attacked as a trespasser), and usually not speaking another word to anyone but his rat-terrier, Bucky until it is time to collect his bounty.
(This should be done to the usual standards of this board I think.)
Samuel Rat-Killer
Chaotic Neutral/Male/Human/Warlock 1
Init +1, Senses: Listen -1, Spot -1
Languages Common
------------------------------------------------
AC 11 , touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex)
hp 4 (1d6+1 HD)
Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +1
------------------------------------------------
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Attack Dagger +0 melee (1d4 damage) OR Eldritch Blast +2 Ranged Touch (1d6 damage) OR Split Blast Eldritch Blast +2/+2 Ranged Touches (1 damage)
Full Attack (As Above)
Base Atk +0, Grp +0
Atk Options Eldritch Blast, Split Blast
Combat Gear Dagger, (and padded armor if the weather is cold, or he expects on crawling into a tight space where he might get attacked by rats etc where he can't get out quickly, or in the very rare case that he is actually expecting a fight from anything other than rats and such).
Supernatural Abilities Eldritch Blast 1d6, Split Blast
-----------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8 , Cha 8
Feats Skill Focus (Profession[Rat-Catcher]), Weapon Focus (Eldritch Blast)
Skills Handle Animal +1, Profession [Rat-Catcher] +7
Possessions
Usually with him: 8 rat-traps, 1 trap for critters up to Tiny, Rat Terrier named Bucky, 6' pole with rats usually hanging from it and a very sharp barbed needle (like a gaff) on the end for retrieving rats he has blasted in tight spaces.
Not usually, or never with him: 4 spare rat-traps, Padded Armor (doubles as his colder weather cloths), Soap (never carried unless he is on his way to the creek to bathe, which is rarely), Small Hut (OBVIOUSLY never carried!)