Talk:Magic:Isaacs Greater Missile Storm

Damage Analysis

Avlis IGMS is optimum vs 2 targets (14d6/14d6), a waste on 1 target (14d6), pretty good against 3 (14d6/14d6/12d6)... and after 3 targets the damage dice are in freefall.

For raw damage yes, it is underpowered compared with Chain Lightning, but the attraction of IGMS is: the magic damage and the no saving throw. Though for three targets the two spells are the same total damage dice just in a different spread (CL would be 20d6/10d6/10d6). These two spells behave radically differently when facing evading-types.

The "one missile per 4 caster levels but to a maximum of 7 missiles per target" also means that IGMS isn't full-powered until 28th caster level. And at 20th level (when you are able to evoke all 20 missiles), the optimum would be 4 targets (10d6 each). Any fewer targets and you don't get all your missiles. I'd also say that at 28th level, 3 targets is optimal, because you get all 40d6, leaving 12d6 "on the table" (when attacking 2 targets) isn't really what I call optimal.

In the end, this spell is suited to small numbers of enemies (4 or less) and enemies that have evasion (or maybe even "just good reflexes"). macma 15:14, 10 July 2007 (PDT)