Ray of Sickness?

[Belial]

Can anyone explain whats the point of this spell? Its seems the same as Chromatic Orb but worse

[KOHb]

Publicado originalmente por IgnatiusJ.Reilly:

I suppose the only saving grace is some draconic sorcerers could add their charisma mod to the spell's damage at level six.

A nice point here :) fits "very situational".

Publicado originalmente por IgnatiusJ.Reilly:

Why they picked a bloodline that buffs poison damage I'll never understand.

I see there at least 2 good answers:
1) For RP
2) Just for da lulz

[Belial]

Publicado originalmente por Criminal Horse:

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

Sickness? There is no sickness in "Ray of Sickness" only "Poisoned Status" which is applied by Poison surface just the same as by Ray effect.

Poisoned
A poisoned creature has disadvantage on Attack rolls and Ability Checks.
https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Poisoned
Think about the naming. 'Sickness' itis not just like that.

Orb is creating poison surface, but doesn't has the debuff AFAIK. Also Larian just made a broken spell again, which must not have AoE initially. They removed from orb's damage 1d8 but made it with aoe surface (Larian style — more surfaces!).

Initially in 5e Orb spell has to deal 3d8 with any element with no side effects. Elemental Damage only.
And also — the reason why it's so strong: it must consume diamond 50 or 100 gold.

I have tested the two spells and here are the differences between them, quite interesting

Chromatic Orb: Poison
1) Creates a big puddle of poison, regardless of hit or miss. (as opposed to Ray, which applies both damage and posioning on hit)
2) The poison saving throw is made separately, but immediately when the spell hits or miss. This means you can miss the target with initial Orb but still apply poisoned status to the target
3) The poisoned status is only applied for 1 turn with the Orb puddle. The puddle itself lasts 2 turns, during which poisoned status can be re-applied.
4) The puddle is quite large in size, so effectively an AoE poisoning. Also Its probably not very easy to target in a fight with your melee troops engaged with the enemy.
5) The puddle poisoning will not work against flying targets (ie nautiloid Imps)

[RealDealBreaker]

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

Initially in 5e Orb spell has to deal 3d8 with any element with no side effects. Elemental Damage only.
And also — the reason why it's so strong: it must consume diamond 50 or 100 gold.

No, doesn't consume, just requires a 50 gp diamond be in possession of the caster. Components are only consumed when the spell explicitly says the component is consumed.

[Trap Queen 85]

It would be awesome if after you cast it the opponent threw up in rainbows.

[KingOfFriedChicken]

Depends on why you play, I often pick a theme for my characters and stick with it, my newest playthrough i chose a clrieic that worships the god of death so i chose necrotic only skills and no healing spells, gave my bard only thunder and sound style spells because it makes sense.

Maybe you wanna be a sorcerer who is poison dragon lineage and only take those style spells, sure they aren't always the most useful but it's fun to play into a theme and not just have the most meta best skills, it mixes stuff up as well.

[KingOfFriedChicken]

Publicado originalmente por Trap Queen 85:

It would be awesome if after you cast it the opponent threw up in rainbows.

I like haha

[dolby]

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

I have tested the two spells and here are the differences between them, quite interesting

Chromatic Orb: Poison
1) Creates a big puddle of poison, regardless of hit or miss. (as opposed to Ray, which applies both damage and posioning on hit)
2) The poison saving throw is made separately, but immediately when the spell hits or miss. This means you can miss the target with initial Orb but still apply poisoned status to the target
3) The poisoned status is only applied for 1 turn with the Orb puddle. The puddle itself lasts 2 turns, during which poisoned status can be re-applied.
4) The puddle is quite large in size, so effectively an AoE poisoning. Also Its probably not very easy to target in a fight with your melee troops engaged with the enemy.
5) The puddle poisoning will not work against flying targets (ie nautiloid Imps)

and AI can just jump out of poison and blood removes it anyway.

like said item could be made that adds effects a bit like lightning charges... They could add DoT to the spell. THey could make it so it removes temp HP or lowers max hp. or does extra damage on beeding targets... it could remove immunity to diseases, it could lower con Save, reduce healing it could slow the target cos they are sick and so on, It could be usefull for later down the line for Contagion, in short all sorts of stuff.

You can have items that downgrades resistance(not immunity) to poison on hit and if you hit it multiple times the target can get vulnerability to poison....

[Belial]

Publicado originalmente por dolby:

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

I have tested the two spells and here are the differences between them, quite interesting

Chromatic Orb: Poison
1) Creates a big puddle of poison, regardless of hit or miss. (as opposed to Ray, which applies both damage and posioning on hit)
2) The poison saving throw is made separately, but immediately when the spell hits or miss. This means you can miss the target with initial Orb but still apply poisoned status to the target
3) The poisoned status is only applied for 1 turn with the Orb puddle. The puddle itself lasts 2 turns, during which poisoned status can be re-applied.
4) The puddle is quite large in size, so effectively an AoE poisoning. Also Its probably not very easy to target in a fight with your melee troops engaged with the enemy.
5) The puddle poisoning will not work against flying targets (ie nautiloid Imps)

and AI can just jump out of poison and blood removes it anyway.

like said item could be made that adds effects a bit like lightning charges... They could add DoT to the spell. THey could make it so it removes temp HP or lowers max hp. or does extra damage on beeding targets... it could remove immunity to diseases, it could lower con Save, reduce healing it could slow the target cos they are sick and so on, It could be usefull for later down the line for Contagion, in short all sorts of stuff.

You can have items that downgrades resistance(not immunity) to poison on hit and if you hit it multiple times the target can get vulnerability to poison....

I really just was wondering if there's a point to use Ray of Sickness over Chromatic Orb and eventually got my answer. Seems like Ray definitely has its use, but it would probably be more interesting if it got a little buff.

[KOHb]

Publicado originalmente por RealDealBreaker:

No, doesn't consume, just requires a 50 gp diamond be in possession of the caster. Components are only consumed when the spell explicitly says the component is consumed.

True. Dunno why I whote about consumation :D Got confused.

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

I really just was wondering if there's a point to use Ray of Sickness over Chromatic Orb and eventually got my answer. Seems like Ray definitely has its use, but it would probably be more interesting if it got a little buff.

Usually there is no point even to take in consideration ray of sickness. Unless it fits your RP or some other 'great' ideas.

But just the concept of comparing them is not right ) Because orb is pure dmg spell while ray is hybrid dd/debuff.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

Publicado originalmente por Pan Darius Kairos:

So, it's not really that great a spell. Sure, giving an enemy disadvantage is cool, but Poison damage is considered the worse damage type because it is the most resisted and the most monster types have immunity to it.

I would never choose it as one of my spells, however the Staff of Crones, which essentially lets you cast it as a cantrip (at the cost of taking some poison damage yourself) is kind of cool, especially if you wear the Ring of Poison Resistance and Poisoner's Robe.

good points! however Staff of Crones is item based, Im wondering if there are any reasons to pick Ray of Sickness for Sorcerer over Chromatic orb, for example. Am I wrong or they are both doing the same thing?

No, it's a terribru spell.

[KOHb]

Publicado originalmente por Pan Darius Kairos:

No, it's a terribru spell.

Don't be so boring.
If you have hardtry nerds party there is always place for some fun.

I'm already plotting idea for a new character. @RealDealBreaker Gave a great kick in this direction!

Mountain Dwarf Sorcerer. Draconic Bloodline — poison.
str 17, dex 12, con 15, wis 8, int 8, cha 13
He's strong and durable, stupid and agile as a stone. Not charismatic enough to be a leader, but very cute (due to intellect lacking) which makes him adorable.

Legend says he was born when a dragon goddess sneezed on a magic rock. No one knows who were his parents, because he was raised in orphanage. So maybe the legend speaks the truth.

As for gameplay you wear medium armor shield and wand :P
Ray of sickening is your favourite.

I think any party would be glad to have a teammate like this. It's just a sketch atm.

[Gaius]

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

Can anyone explain whats the point of this spell? Its seems the same as Chromatic Orb but worse

It's not great. You can use it with good results with items tough - Poisoner's Robe + Staff of Crones specifically. The first drop from the Phase Spider Matriarch and the second you get after you fight the Rag . That gives you Ray of Sickness as a cantrip with bonus 1D4 poison damage if you just take a very low damage on cast.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Publicado originalmente por Gaius:

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

Can anyone explain whats the point of this spell? Its seems the same as Chromatic Orb but worse

It's not great. You can use it with good results with items tough - Poisoner's Robe + Staff of Crones specifically. The first drop from the Phase Spider Matriarch and the second you get after you fight the Rag . That gives you Ray of Sickness as a cantrip with bonus 1D4 poison damage if you just take a very low damage on cast.

And then you add the Ring of Poison Resistance and a source of temp hp...

[Belial]

It seems all those combos can be applied to Orb as well, except Staff of Crones, that is just a different spell with the same name.

There are some pros and cons to Ray, but i think just the simple fact you have to first roll to even affect the target and then roll again against CON to apply poisoning is quite terrible as opposed to Orb. Considering other advantages, Orb is just a better spell even if it could only be used for poison. So after giving it some thought, it seems that Ray is indeed complete waste of your spell slot.

[KingOfFriedChicken]

Publicado originalmente por Belial:

It seems all those combos can be applied to Orb as well, except Staff of Crones, that is just a different spell with the same name.

There are some pros and cons to Ray, but i think just the simple fact you have to first roll to even affect the target and then roll again against CON to apply poisoning is quite terrible as opposed to Orb. Considering other advantages, Orb is just a better spell even if it could only be used for poison. So after giving it some thought, it seems that Ray is indeed complete waste of your spell slot.

I mean initially they are the same, the o ly real issue is chr ok magic orb is an AoE that has no saving throw while ray of sickness does and it's a con save.
It doesnt make it a bad spell just for meta reasons not the best spell, chromatic orb is so strong because it can be any element which can trigger a number of beneficial terrain effects from grease fire spreading to ice paths especially with twin spell.
They just aren't on the same level not sure it's fair to compare the 2 In terms of usefulness chromatic orb will win against most any lvl 1 spell you pit it against.
Like have you tried using create water and the full lightning charge set? You can build up lightning charges and have a lake of electric water around you it's pretty fun, not OP but fun to make unconventional and lesser chosen skills and spells and make em shine. Shoot, gave my bard gnome a superiority die and the ranged knock back skill it's both funny and interesting could have taken a better feat but I dont regret it lol

The question is have any of you tried to use it in a build to test its viable nature or are you theorizing its usefulness? I would suggest picking it out the gate and testing out the build ideas see how it performs. If you dont like it dont do that again lol