Wizard continuous attack spells

[ivanbin]

Anyone got any ideas on what spells I can cast that would allow me to continuously attack opponents with them? And I mean spells like cloud of knives, and celestial aspect, where I can use free and standard actions respectively to attack the enemy.

[herrhauptmann]

There's Streamers from Shining South. Not quite what you're looking for, but it attacks on its own if the person caught in it takes an action. 5d10 damage per streamer.

[Grod_The_Giant]

Manyjaws (SpC). Thunderlance (SpC). Howling Chain (Spc).

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

You can use Thunderlance (SC) and Dragon Breath (SC) with Persistent Spell. Throw on Fell Drain, Fell Frighten, and similar and inflict debuffs on anything you hit (only the first time each spell hits a given creature). Depending on how your DM rules Born of the Three Thunders' effect, i.e. if it happens when they're damaged and not when the spell ends, you can throw that on Dragon Breath (with Snowcasting and Energy Substitution) so your breath attack knocks opponents prone and stuns them.

[ranagrande]

Summoning spells are good for this too.

[Chronos]

Do you specifically want attack rolls (for an arcane trickster, say), or do spells that "attack" through other means also work?

[Malimar]

You might also consider reserve feats (in Complete Mage and Complete Champion). Keep blasting all day without ever using up your spells.

[ivanbin]

I referenced celestial aspect, which is basically standard action to deal 2d6 fire damage to any one thing you see within 60ft. So non attack rolls are welcome.

[Melcar]

Melcar’s Elemental Guardian
Evocation [Fire]
Level: Sor/wis 5
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Close (25ft. + 5ft./2 level)
Area: 25ft. + 5ft./2 level
Duration: 1 round/ 4 caster levels. (Max 5 rounds at level 20)
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
The caster creates a three headed hydra, of magical energy that forms anywhere the caster chooses, within the spell range. It immediately starts to attack random enemies in the spell area, with bolts of energy that matches the element of the hydra (fire as a standard). Each head attacks once every round dealing 1d6 points of fire damage per 4 caster levels, to a maximum of 5d6 for 5 rounds at level 20. The hydra will, even though the attacks are random, divide its attacks equally among the number of enemies inside the spell area to the best of its ability. The hydra can only attack creatures that are visible, not hidden and without total cover. The hydra cannot be attacked, but a successful dispel magic, will end the spell.
Material Component: A hydra scale and a pinch of sulfur.


On a more RAW note, you might want to employ the Bigby's line of spells, or the Mordenkainen's Sword spell. Sphere of Ultimate Destruction might work for you as well.

If you want somehing like a "gun" that you can fire each round... then I would have to get back to you later... Hope this helps

[The Grue]

Polymorph?

[Flickerdart]

There are loads, I have a list (scroll down a few posts) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?256083-Building-a-Blade-Wizard) that collects all weapon-making spells, many of which are like you describe. My favourite is Black Blade of Disaster - a disintegrate spell shaped like a sword that affects anything it hits.

[Khedrac]

Do also look at the spheres - such as Defenestrating Sphere - which use a move action to attack the enemy - you still have your standard action for casting something else.
The Mage's (Bigby's) Hand spells take an action to re-target otherwise they continue attacking for free.

[zergling.exe]

Melcar’s Elemental Guardian
Evocation [Fire]
Level: Sor/wis 5
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Close (25ft. + 5ft./2 level)
Area: 25ft. + 5ft./2 level
Duration: 1 round/ 4 caster levels. (Max 5 rounds at level 20)
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
The caster creates a three headed hydra, of magical energy that forms anywhere the caster chooses, within the spell range. It immediately starts to attack random enemies in the spell area, with bolts of energy that matches the element of the hydra (fire as a standard). Each head attacks once every round dealing 1d6 points of fire damage per 4 caster levels, to a maximum of 5d6 for 5 rounds at level 20. The hydra will, even though the attacks are random, divide its attacks equally among the number of enemies inside the spell area to the best of its ability. The hydra can only attack creatures that are visible, not hidden and without total cover. The hydra cannot be attacked, but a successful dispel magic, will end the spell.
Material Component: A hydra scale and a pinch of sulfur.


On a more RAW note, you might want to employ the Bigby's line of spells, or the Mordenkainen's Sword spell. Sphere of Ultimate Destruction might work for you as well.

If you want somehing like a "gun" that you can fire each round... then I would have to get back to you later... Hope this helps

Is, is that the Diablo II Sorceress' Hydra spell?!?

THAT's AWESOME!

[Melcar]

Is, is that the Diablo II Sorceress' Hydra spell?!?

THAT's AWESOME!

He he... That was what I was aiming for yes. Glad you like it! :smallbiggrin:

[ILM]

There's a series of spells that create blades that attack automatically, and you only need to burn actions if you want them to change targets. My favourite is Sword of Deception from SC: BAB = CL (multiple attacks!), and each hit gives an automatic -2 to the target's next save, which stacks with itself up to -5. Doesn't even need you to maintain concentration. Hell, make it Fell Frightening and take that penalty to -7.

[Hunter Noventa]

Pathfinder has a spell called Burning Gaze (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/burning-gaze) that lets you try to set people on fire by looking at them.

[ILM]

There are a few similar spells in 3.5 but only a few (probably those printed very soon after 3.0 became 3.5, though I haven't really checked) allow free action gaze attacks; all others, like the one you linked, require a standard action, which prevents the character from doing much else in the round.

Although now that you mention it, I'm partial to aura-like spells and effects too. Daunting Presense, Blinding Beauty, etc. - all these always-on area effects that force a save from anyone who gets too close.

[AmberVael]

Freezing Glance is one of those multiple use gaze spells, and its a really nice one- a 6th level spell that lasts 1/round level, and lets you blast people with a Will save or lose effect.

[Zaq]

It's not the best-scaling spell by any means, but Flaming Sphere is a classic at low levels.

[AngelOfFaith]

Stars of Arvandor [BED 108] gives you up to ten stars to throw at people each turn as a free action(the hurling, not the spell).

Stars of Arvandor
(Book of Exalted Deeds, p. 108)

Evocation [Force, Good]
Level: Sorcerer 3, Wizard 3, Cleric 4, Druid 4, Ranger 4, Consecrated Harrier 4,
Components: V, S,
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: Up to one creature or object per round
Duration: 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

You create one tiny, twinkling star per level (maximum 10 stars). These minute starbursts orbit your head like ioun stones. As a free action, you can launch one star per round at a target your designate within range. Alternatively, as a standard action, you may launch up to three stars per round at one or more targets within range. Each star requires its own ranged touch attack roll.

A nonevil target takes 1d8 points of damage, half of which is nonlethal (round down). Evil targets take 1d8 points of lethal damage instead. The stars are magical force, so they ignore incorporeality.

[Melcar]

Stars of Arvandor [BED 108] gives you up to ten stars to throw at people each turn as a free action(the hurling, not the spell).

Stars of Arvandor
(Book of Exalted Deeds, p. 108)

Evocation [Force, Good]
Level: Sorcerer 3, Wizard 3, Cleric 4, Druid 4, Ranger 4, Consecrated Harrier 4,
Components: V, S,
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: Up to one creature or object per round
Duration: 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

You create one tiny, twinkling star per level (maximum 10 stars). These minute starbursts orbit your head like ioun stones. As a free action, you can launch one star per round at a target your designate within range. Alternatively, as a standard action, you may launch up to three stars per round at one or more targets within range. Each star requires its own ranged touch attack roll.

A nonevil target takes 1d8 points of damage, half of which is nonlethal (round down). Evil targets take 1d8 points of lethal damage instead. The stars are magical force, so they ignore incorporeality.



Thats nice for a level 3 spell.

[Rubik]

How about Telekinesis for grappling and whatnot? It's not exactly akin to firing a Fireball, but still.

Undermaster?

Control Winds?

Any summoning, calling, undead creation/control, animated creation, or Domination-type spell could work in this vein.

There are some psionic powers that can do similar things, as well, if you want 'em.

[malonkey1]

Incarnum Arc (MoI) deals continuous damage to everything between two movable poles.

[Gazrok]

Have the Assume Supernatural Ability feat. Cast Resilient Sphere around you. Polymorph into a Medusa. Turn folks into stone with impunity you evil monster.....

[Darrin]

Gutsnake (Spell Compendium) and Scorpion Tail (Races of Eberron) can attack as a free action.

Incarnum Weapon (Magic of Incarnum) is a fire-and-forget spell similar to spiritual weapon.

[zergling.exe]

Have the Assume Supernatural Ability feat. Cast Resilient Sphere around you. Polymorph into a Medusa. Turn folks into stone with impunity you evil monster.....


Gutsnake (Spell Compendium) and Scorpion Tail (Races of Eberron) can attack as a free action.

Incarnum Weapon (Magic of Incarnum) is a fire-and-forget spell similar to spiritual weapon.

This thread is from 2015 people.

[Mordaedil]

Reading the RAW for touch spells, rolling a miss allows you to hold the spell until next round until you hit something.

It might also apply to ranged touch spells, but maybe it was addressed at some point?

[lbuttitta]

For the obvious answer, any [Summoning] spell can make attacks while you do other things. Also, Vortex of Teeth (SpC) hasn't been mentioned yet, or Maw of Chaos (SpC) or Lightning Ring (again SpC).

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Necromancy/reanimating something to attack for you, such as a thread from January 2015.

[ericgrau]

Summon swarm is basically damage over time with some minor special effects too.