Author Topic: Revision: Bard 6th Circle Spell 'Dirge'  (Read 1791 times)

BraveSirRobin

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Revision: Bard 6th Circle Spell 'Dirge'
« on: September 11, 2019, 04:18:05 AM »
Upon testing today with another player, I've come to find some inconsistencies with the Bard 'Dirge' spell (Not to be confused with the Dirge of Woes feat).

Primarily, it looks as though the way it functions in-game is not consistent with the spell description at the very least.



Enemies in the area of effect suffer 2 points Strength and Dexterity damage each round they remain near the caster being the wording of the spell, however upon testing, it looks as though the spell will only perform a maximum of 2 points Strength and Dexterity damage to your opponent, no matter how many times they fail their Fortitude saving throw. Rules-as-written, the spell seems to suggest it is intended to stack, but of course, in PoTM the Fortitude save for this spell is very low (DC: 20) and is only available for most Bards by level 17, or level 16 if you are a Bard with particularly high charisma. Given this is the highest level spell a Bard can cast -- It seems to lack some appeal. Especially when you compare it to the feat, 'Crippling Strike,' which is a bonus feat that Rogues get at level 11, which will allow you to automatically lower an opponent's Strength by two points per successful attack without any form of saves, and will stack. Against an opponent in the most optimal of conditions, that is .. Potentially, 12 points of Strength damage in a single round, against a single opponent, without any form of save. If they aren't dead from all of the Sneak Attack damage, they're utterly immobile from the Strength attribute damage.

For a Bard, this spell lasts for a number of rounds equal to the number of Bard levels you have, and once per round will force a (DC: 20 Fortitude) save each round in an AoE, that will in turn last a number of rounds equal to the caster level of the Bard. I don't think it would be a very big deal at all to edit this spell to be more in line with the written description, especially given it is both a temporary effect, and the spell requires a relatively weak fortitude save to even take effect. It, among a few other spells, are simply lackluster for a 6th Circle Bard, which should be more rewarding for sticking to the class to level 20. As it stands, the smarter move would be to get the Mass buffing spells rather than waste a precious spell-slot on Dirge.

EO

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Re: Revision: Bard 6th Circle Spell 'Dirge'
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2019, 11:17:41 AM »
The Dex/Str damage should stack; I've found the cause and will fix it in my next update.

zDark Shadowz

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Re: Revision: Bard 6th Circle Spell 'Dirge'
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2019, 05:34:39 PM »
Imagine if they took spell focus in evocation, this is an amazingly lethal spell to stack. Good thing it doesnt work on undead.

EO

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Re: Revision: Bard 6th Circle Spell 'Dirge'
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2019, 03:08:08 PM »
This should now be fixed. Can anyone confirm?