Do you see Circle of Death used much?

[Plane Sailing]

I was just recently looking at the Circle of Death spell, and I was wondering whether it ever sees much use in your games.

The problem as I see it is that it only affects creatures with 8HD or less, and since you are going to be at least 11th-12th level before the spell appears, how often are you going to be fighting creatures with 4+HD less than you - and are prepared to spend 500gp on the spell?

I wonder why they reduced the 50ft radius in 3.0 to 40ft radius in 3.5e?

Do people just use this spell as a sort of second-string 6th level spell for clearing out mooks? It seems that a maximised fireball at this level is likely to be better at mook clearing in most cases anyway!

So - what are your experiences with the spell?

Necromancy [Death]
Level: Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area: Several living creatures within a 40-ft.-radius burst
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

A circle of death snuffs out the life force of living creatures, killing them instantly.

The spell slays 1d4 HD worth of living creatures per caster level (maximum 20d4). Creatures with the fewest HD are affected first; among creatures with equal HD, those who are closest to the burst’s point of origin are affected first. No creature of 9 or more HD can be affected, and Hit Dice that are not sufficient to affect a creature are wasted.
Material Component

The powder of a crushed black pearl with a minimum value of 500 gp.

 

[frankthedm]

It was better in 1e/2e when it had no save & being unable to be raised / resurrected also meant the victim's soul was destroyed as a default. It sent angry mobs to oblivion, each time, very time.

The 3.5 version is more situational than greatcleave.

 

[Stalker0]

Never seen it used in my 6 years of gaming.

 

[Quartz]

A party of 8th level characters could find themselves up against someone who can cast it (CR +3). Lower level bad guys might have it on a scroll or Ring of Spell Storing.

But this is definitely a Not Fun spell as in it isn't conducive to a good gaming experience. Unless you can trick the low-level bad guy into casting it around himself - the text makes no mention that the caster is immune.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Can't remember seeing it.

 

[Darklone]

I love to use it.

Even if the PCs are too low in level, chances are good they see some bad boy use it against a group of do-gooders.

 

[Henry]

As it is in 3.5, I don't think I'd see too much of a problem even if they removed the hit dice cap. It's one save or die roll that you can even come back from with a raise or resurrection. At least, bump that cap up a bit, OR increase the area of effect so that it is a TRUE mook-killer.

 

[lukelightning]

As it is in 3.5, I don't think I'd see too much of a problem even if they removed the hit dice cap.

I hate that HD cap. I was excited when my mage got high enough level to cast the spell...but then I saw the HD cap, and at 13th level almost every monster we fight, even mooks, are higher than 9HD.

I make use of acid fog instead.

 

[Schmoe]

Pretty lame spell, if you ask me. I've never seen it used or used it myself. If a DM uses this against a lower level party, it's just asking for multiple deaths and upset players. If a player uses this, he's wasting a very valuable spell slot on something that could likely be overcome with trivial effort anyway.

I get the same feeling with this spell as I do when I see a CR 11 creature with Cause Fear as a spell-like ability - "Why?"

 

[hong]

A party of 8th level characters could find themselves up against someone who can cast it (CR +3). Lower level bad guys might have it on a scroll or Ring of Spell Storing.

But this is definitely a Not Fun spell as in it isn't conducive to a good gaming experience. Unless you can trick the low-level bad guy into casting it around himself - the text makes no mention that the caster is immune.

It doesn't have to mention the caster is immune. The spell only affects creatures up to 9 HD, and you have to be 11th level to cast it....