Sunburst -- The Undead Tac Nuke?

[gfunk]

A few quick questions about Sunburst:

1) The spell deals 3d6 dmg or double that if the target is sensitive to sunlight. Then it goes on to say that it deals 1d6/level damage to undead. Does the 3d6 (or 6d6) stack with the damage to undead? In other words if a 15th level caster cast this spell at a Vampire, would it take 6d6 + 15d6 or just 15d6?

2) I assume that this spell (and Sunbeam) more or less calls forth actual sunlight (unlike a Daylight spell). Therefore, does the 50% miss chance still apply to incorporeal undead that are vulnerable to sunlight (Spectres, Wraiths)?

3) The area of effect seems ridiculously large (10 ft/level). It doesn't seem feasible to cast this spell at the level you get it (15th) w/o blinding yourself or party members. Is the only way to reduce the area via the Sculpt Spell metamagic feat?

Thanks!

 

[Epametheus]

Probably just 15d6; the rules for undead supercede the sensitivity rule, I would think. The fact that sunlight-vulnerable undead die on the spot if they fail the same makes it even worse for them.

Unless it's been eratta'd, the simply has a huge AoE and isn't remotely shapable. So yes, the only way to make it smaller is with Sculpt Spell or a similar ability. The Mastery of Shaping that Archmages (FR) can get is great with this spell, since you can actually just make holes in it where your allies are and blast whatever you want with it.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

1) Does the 3d6 (or 6d6) stack with the damage to undead?

No.

In other words if a 15th level caster cast this spell at a Vampire, would it take 6d6 + 15d6 or just 15d6?

Just 15d6, although if a vampire fails its save, it is simply destroyed.

2) I assume that this spell (and Sunbeam) more or less calls forth actual sunlight (unlike a Daylight spell). Therefore, does the 50% miss chance still apply to incorporeal undead that are vulnerable to sunlight (Spectres, Wraiths)?

If the spellcaster is corporeal, yes the incorporeal creature still has the 50% chance to ignore the damage.

3) The area of effect seems ridiculously large (10 ft/level). It doesn't seem feasible to cast this spell at the level you get it (15th) w/o blinding yourself or party members. Is the only way to reduce the area via the Sculpt Spell metamagic feat?

That is one way, but I it is probably not the only way. You cannot simply alter the AoE, however. The large area is nice, but you do have to be careful not to catch your allies inside it. This is best used as a long range spell, unless you want to kill a vampire and don't mind getting burned in the process.

 

[gfunk]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I guess the next time my Sor 16 sees a bunch of Nightshade Nightcrawlers laying around, I'll unleash this baby on 'em. Easy XP!

 

[Hygric]

Re: Re: Sunburst -- The Undead Tac Nuke?

If the spellcaster is corporeal, yes the incorporeal creature still has the 50% chance to ignore the damage.

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that area of effect attacks negated this protection, or am I just thinking of force attacks?

 

[Kraedin]

Just force.

 

[Caliber]

You're just thinking of Force effects.

ANY kind of Corporeal damage (including things like Fireball and Lightning Bolt but exempting Force affects like Magic Missile) suffers from the 50% miss chance.

Powerful stuff that non-corporeal thing is.

 

[gfunk]

Hey guys, here's a related question. Is there any spell that you know of from a WOTC source that can protect you against Blindness? If not, we'll have to load up the party's Ioun stone and Ring of Spell Storing with Remove Blindness spells.

 

[GuardianLurker]

Hey guys, here's a related question. Is there any spell that you know of from a WOTC source that can protect you against Blindness? If not, we'll have to load up the party's Ioun stone and Ring of Spell Storing with Remove Blindness spells.

Well, that depends on the source of the Blindness.

If it's from some form of foreign material in your eyes (like cobra spittle), eyeshields/glasses should work just fine.

If it's from the spell, or some other non-material/magical source, your options get a little trickier :
*counterspell
*Spell Turning
*AMF
*Globes of Invulnerability
*Limited Wish, Wish, or Miracle (with GM approval)
*Darkvision, Low-light vision both work separately from normal vision under some GM's interpretations. (It's not covered in the SRD.)
*Blindsight (from FRCS)
*True Seeing (maybe)