SandStorm Spell needs overhaul

[Zorinar]

I am not sure if the Sandstorm spell is in game, but it is on one of my character's spell lists.

Reading the help file leads me to believe this spell is way out of bounds. First, this is not even a core spell, I only found it online listed as a "Technique," not a spell. (Unless I am looking at out-dated materials).

Our helpfile says that this spell does damage equal to the amount fireball does AND strips both stoneskin and dragsonkin on its casting.

Even Dispel magic is supposed to have to run through Spell DC's when stripping spells off another, and this spell appears to do that for free and then does damage to boot? Am I also correct in assuming there is no damage protection against this spell besides stone skin? How convenient:)

I am not sure if this is an old spell or a new spell as I don't often look at a spell list with that has conjurer spells, but as I was playing one of my other wizards I saw some huge potential for creating crazy overpowered wizards using this spell.

There is no spell like this that I could find in the D&D core spells for arcane casters. That it does damage and removes your defenses for said damage is just not in line with how D&D spells normally work, especially a level 6 spell. I recommend this be adjusted to do just ranged targeted or area damage (which is does now) and remove the dispelling characteristics, or just plain delete it.

[Tamryn]

Sandstorm "technique" that Zorinar refers to. This spell (and the entire idea of technique points) appears to be a house rule and not part of any TSR rule book. The spell is also entirely unrelated to the FK spell, so seems not to be the inspiration for it.

[Gwain]

There are a few spells that survived the first purge to be more in line with 3.5 back in 2007, I think this one might be one of the few.

**EDIT: Confirmed I'm wrong, ignore this post!

[Nylo]

There is actually a spell by that name, from the Sandstorm supplement, 3.5 edition.http://dndtools.eu/spells/sandstorm--85 ... orm--3136/

However, this spell differs somewhat, in that it's a druid only spell, and while it has a flensing effect at higher speeds, it doesn't make mention of stripping protective spells, either in the spell or elsewhere in the handbook.

[Rhangalas]

My only concern is WHERE can Rhangalas get this?! I mean, uh... *evil grin*

But, maybe something like: It just does damages and has a chance to blind you if stone skin or dragon skin are active at the time. If stone skin or dragon skin aren't active, it also flenses you.

[Yemin]

So, upon trying out this spell... I think its worth reporting that it doesn't seem to damage undead. At least not the ones in the tombs of tempus anyway.

Wanted to drop this here before I headed off to bed if someone else'd be so kind to confirm if it does damage to living targets. help file says its supposed to do typeless damage equal to a fireball so yeah.

[dolifer]

It does do damage to living targets, though like fireball, it's not a ton. I haven't actually used it against anything undead yet, but I think it would kind of make sense that it'd do no damage, most especially to things like skeletons and zombies, who don't really need flesh... Kind of makes me wonder whether flensing works on skeletons... Anyway...

There are ways for even living targets to easily stop the effects (damage and the stripping of dragon and stone skins) of this spell. I've had it cast on my wizard a few times, with stone skin, dragonskin, and only a small number of other protective spells up, and I often completely resisted the spell.

I don't see a problem with this spell at all. As mentioned in another thread I started a few weeks back, a spell or skill's not being a part of or differing from standard rules is alone not enough reason to change it, let alone scrap it entirely. And considering the above mentioned ability to block the spell's effects, I can't see how it could be considered OP. There are ways to do much more than this spell does with much less effort.

[Yemin]

thanks

[Korwin]

From my opinion of using this spell, for the level slot it doesn't seem to need any overhaul. I've used it often, it can be saved against to reduce the damage greatly. The damage is not that excellent anyways, its a handy spell though. As to getting the spell, well some are just very difficult to find to encourage RP.