Delayed Blast Fireball

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:58 pm

In the spirit of all those who have wondered, asked, and/or answered the question about the damage of burning hands (1d2 +1/level), I have another one for you...Delayed Blast Fireball.

It's written the same (style-wise, as in xdy +1/level of damage) as burning hands, damage-wise, so I don't think there is too much a question of whether the damage is correct (as written). I guess mine is more a question as to why it's only doing 1d6 +1/level. It is more powerful than fireball, with its ability to delay for up to 5 rounds. I think this warrants its increase in spell level (7th), but I'm not quite sure why the damage is reduced versus the regular fireball.

So if there's anyone out there privy to the "why" the damge is so reduced, I'd love to hear from you. Actually, any speculators are welcome, too.

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:08 pm

It is not reduced. It is increased. DBF deals 1d6+1 / level whereas a fireball only does 1d6.

For example:

15th level caster, both spells ---

Fireball = 15d6

Delayed blast fireball = 15d6+15

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:30 pm

Hmm...

Then how come burning hands isn't 1d2+1/level? As written (and explained elsewhere on these forums), the level of the caster is only added to the extra damage of burning hands - so a 15th level wizard does 1d2 + 15 points of damage (again, as explained elsewhere).

Isn't delayed blast fireball written the same way in the PHB? Am I missing something? My wife says I usually am.
EDIT: I'm really not trying to be obtuse, serl, I saw the 1d6 +1/level, and thought "hmm, I think I remember seeing something about that somewhere else." After a quick search I found someone had a question about burning hands, and it was explained that the per level damage only applied to the "+1" and not the "1d2." I got a little worried that delayed blast fireball would suffer the same fate.

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:02 pm

The problem is that they are written the same, but they were not intended to be the same. Burning hands should have a comma in it, like:

1d2, +1 / level

DFB should be 1d6 +1 / level (no comma.)

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:21 pm

serleran wrote:
The problem is that they are written the same, but they were not intended to be the same. Burning hands should have a comma in it, like:

1d2, +1 / level

DFB should be 1d6 +1 / level (no comma.)

Gotcha.

So, take a 15th level wizard:
Burning Hands: 1d2 +15
Deyaled Blast Fireball: 15d6 +15

Okay. That was a bit confusing...and had me worried for a bit about delayed blast.

tex · Post by **tex** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:05 pm

The order of operations from math makes the wrong interpretation a lot more likely; to fix it for math people I'd use parens: (d6+1)/level

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:12 pm

tex wrote:
The order of operations from math makes the wrong interpretation a lot more likely; to fix it for math people I'd use parens: (d6+1)/level

That would be a good idea.

I'll admit, I'm not a dolt (or at least I don't think I am ), but it had me confused. Parentheses would surely help out...maybe a 4th print suggestion? Hmm?

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:17 pm

tex wrote:
The order of operations from math makes the wrong interpretation a lot more likely; to fix it for math people I'd use parens: (d6+1)/level

Speaking as someone with a math degree, that change would make my skin stop crawling.

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:24 pm

Yes, it would make sense, and be technically correct, but it is not very "literary." Steve has this thing... kinda weird.

phadeout · Post by **phadeout** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:50 pm

Actually, with burning hands, I like it as written. Otherwise, it's pretty useless.

Burning Hands 1d2, +1 level @ 15th = 1d2+15 (max 17 and has no range, few targets)

Magic Missile 1d4+1 x 1 ea. 3rd level @ 15th = 6d4+6 (max 30, but has range)

Hmmmm.

Burning Hands 1d2+1/level @ 15th = 15d2+15 (max 45)

Burning Hands should be used as written, just like delayed blast fireball.

Cheers.
_________________
"If everyone was drunker, was beer cheaper? And if they were more drunk the further back one goes, is there a time when everyone was completely soused all of the time? And, could I go there?" -Davis Chenault

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:02 pm

Yeah, cause we all know high-level wizards need even more powerful spells....

Go0gleplex · Post by **Go0gleplex** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:05 pm

Well...what GOOD are ya as a wizard if you can't bring down the apocolypse?!?!

_________________
The obvious will always trip you up FAR more than the obscure.

Baron Grignak Hammerhand of the Pacifica Provinces-

High Warden of the Castles & Crusades Society

DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:11 pm

And it would be nice to at least have one other low level attack spell be useful at high levels.
I memorize magic missile 9 times!

Then it could be
I memorize MM4 times and Burning Hands 5!

Variety! [/i]

phadeout · Post by **phadeout** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:47 pm

DangerDwarf wrote:
And it would be nice to at least have one other low level attack spell be useful at high levels.
I memorize magic missile 9 times!

Then it could be
I memorize MM4 times and Burning Hands 5!

Variety! [/i]

Hah! Yes, exactly my thoughts... not being sarcastic either...
_________________
"If everyone was drunker, was beer cheaper? And if they were more drunk the further back one goes, is there a time when everyone was completely soused all of the time? And, could I go there?" -Davis Chenault