[PF] "Burning Arc" Contradiction

[Jack Zander]

Burning Arc (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/burning-arc)


Targets one primary target plus one additional target/3 levels (each of which must be within 15 ft. of the primary target)


Therefore, at 9th level, your burning arc deals 9d6 points of fire damage to the primary target, then 4d6 points of fire damage to a secondary target, then 2d6 points of fire damage to an additional target.

Shouldn't a 9th level caster get 1 primary target, and then 3 secondary targets, rather than 3 targets total?

[Invader]

Yup, seems like it should be 1 primary plus 3 secondary to me.

[Invader]

Unless they weren't using that as an example of how many targets it should have total and was just showing how to calculate damage on additional targets and they arbitrarily stopped 1 shy of how many you should have.

Another question, is there a maximum number targets and/or a minimum amount of damage.

[Jack Zander]

It seems the maximum number of targets is unlimited. However, once a target takes 1d6 damage, the next target would take 1 dice of damage divided by 2 rounded down which would be 0.

Is there a clause stating whether description trumps effect or vice versa?

[Blisstake]

Either an error, or they were just trying to show the damage it does to subsequent targets.

[grarrrg]

It seems the maximum number of targets is unlimited. However, once a target takes 1d6 damage, the next target would take 1 dice of damage divided by 2 rounded down which would be 0.

Is there a clause stating whether description trumps effect or vice versa?

The damage is 1d6 per Caster Level, Max 10d6.
1st 10d6
2nd 5d6
3rd 2d6
4th 1d6
5th+ no damage.

So once you hit Caster Level 10, you're pretty much topped off. Further increases only help the Save DC.

[Invader]

It seems the maximum number of targets is unlimited. However, once a target takes 1d6 damage, the next target would take 1 dice of damage divided by 2 rounded down which would be 0.

Is there a clause stating whether description trumps effect or vice versa?

You could say the 4th takes 1d3 and all others take a minimum 1 but at 9th level that's pretty insignificant lol.

[Blisstake]

The damage is 1d6 per Caster Level, Max 10d6.
1st 10d6
2nd 5d6
3rd 2d6
4th 1d6
5th+ no damage.

So once you hit Caster Level 10, you're pretty much topped off. Further increases only help the Save DC.

Caster Level doesn't alter save DC.

[Salanmander]

You could also potentially combine it with abilities that trigger on things being targeted...I'm wondering if there's any metamagic that says something like "any target of this spell...".

Of course, it's probably still not worth it, but could be amusing.