Optimal ways to use the Cloud of Knives spell?

[Felon]

One of the spells from PHB II that caught my eye right away was cloud of knives. Getting an extra attack as a free action (not even a swift action) every round has a lot of potential. The downside is that each knife takes an ordinary attack roll and does little damage. Optimizing the damage is my current objective. Sneak attack is an obvious add-on, perhaps making a spellwarp sniper the ideal prestige class.

I was also trying to find swift-action spells that could provide a boost. My first thought was blade of blood (also from PHB II), but the spell won't work with it since there are restriction regarding the weapon leaving the caster's hands.

Anyone else got any ideas?

 

[joshjurg]

Artificer infusions on the focus, maybe ?

Other than that, spells that duplicate things like that - energy weapon, undead bane weapon...

 

[hong]

What would really be cool is an "improved cloud of knives" spell, say ~6th level. 1d6 + caster level damage as a free action, with the option of discharging the spell with 6 attacks as a standard action, or 9 attacks as a full-round action. Numbers pulled out of my hat.

 

[Trouvere]

Combine with Coat of Arms (CM, Sor/Wiz 5), Steeldance (Spell Compendium, Sor/Wiz 3), Persistent Blade (SpC, Sor/Wiz 1) and Reverse Arrows (SpC, Sor/Wiz 3) and one of the Mage's Sword type spells for floating weapon hilarity.

 

[Ilium]

Combine with Coat of Arms (CM, Sor/Wiz 5), Steeldance (Spell Compendium, Sor/Wiz 3), Persistent Blade (SpC, Sor/Wiz 1) and Reverse Arrows (SpC, Sor/Wiz 3) and one of the Mage's Sword type spells for floating weapon hilarity.

Throw in Whirling Blade, too. That is quite an image.