So I am actually pretty sure Catapult is one of the best low level single target damage spells for the shadow sorcerer. I’ve always liked this spell, but there have been better options so when I was checking out shadow sorcerer stuff today I started playing with a spell list and kept coming back to catapult.
At 6th level you get your hound, which seeks and attacks automatically I believe and I’m pretty sure you can’t stop it from attacking if you wanted. So the hound uses the dire wolf block, the dire wolf knocks stuff prone. On top of that the main draw to your shadow hound, it gives targets disadvantage on saves (and targets invisible etc but w/e).
The prone thing would kind of make me lean away from ranged spell attacks since I’d be getting them at disadvantage, so for Cantrips we’re already kind of down on options. Mind Sliver I think goes great with this build but it’s a d4. So you move on to your spell slots and sure there’s plenty you could do otherwise but I think the best most reliable damage for a cheap slot is catapult and I don’t think it will ever be a bad pick. Even at later levels it has its uses.
3D8 is decent for a 1st level spell and importantly it’s a dex save. You have to hope there’s something you can toss but I think most DMs are going to give you something to toss in most encounters. I may be missing something here but I’ve I’m putting together a spell list for a shadow sorcerer I am pretty sure catapult is making that list.
To maybe sweeten the allure of Catapult a bit more.....(assuming DM allows you to place them as a freebie or lets you toss the item into the air as part of the somatic component of spell casting).....
Carry around some vials of acid (25gp and 1lb per vial) or alchemist fire (50gp and 1lb per vial) and get some extra acid or fire damage ontop of the bludgeoning from catapult, alternatively, carry around some bags of ball bearings or caltrops (1gp and 2lbs per bag) and see if your DM would allow for the bag to break/burst open on impact to spill the ball bearings/caltrops for some minor movement encumberance. You could also use flasks of oil in place of alchemist fire but you'd need to follow up with either spending Sorcery Points to quick cast a fire based cantrip or have another party member to cast it or toss a lit torch. You could also see if your DM would allow you to change the damage of Catapult from Bludgeoning to Slashing or Piercing if you used it to hurl a weapon such as a hand axe or a spear.
If you could use it in one of those ways its a good way to hide the spell casting as the spell has only a somatic components you're not saying any verbal to create the spell so people would just see you "throw" something really hard.
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So I am actually pretty sure Catapult is one of the best low level single target damage spells for the shadow sorcerer. I’ve always liked this spell, but there have been better options so when I was checking out shadow sorcerer stuff today I started playing with a spell list and kept coming back to catapult.
At 6th level you get your hound, which seeks and attacks automatically I believe and I’m pretty sure you can’t stop it from attacking if you wanted. So the hound uses the dire wolf block, the dire wolf knocks stuff prone. On top of that the main draw to your shadow hound, it gives targets disadvantage on saves (and targets invisible etc but w/e).
The prone thing would kind of make me lean away from ranged spell attacks since I’d be getting them at disadvantage, so for Cantrips we’re already kind of down on options. Mind Sliver I think goes great with this build but it’s a d4. So you move on to your spell slots and sure there’s plenty you could do otherwise but I think the best most reliable damage for a cheap slot is catapult and I don’t think it will ever be a bad pick. Even at later levels it has its uses.
3D8 is decent for a 1st level spell and importantly it’s a dex save. You have to hope there’s something you can toss but I think most DMs are going to give you something to toss in most encounters. I may be missing something here but I’ve I’m putting together a spell list for a shadow sorcerer I am pretty sure catapult is making that list.
To maybe sweeten the allure of Catapult a bit more.....(assuming DM allows you to place them as a freebie or lets you toss the item into the air as part of the somatic component of spell casting).....
Carry around some vials of acid (25gp and 1lb per vial) or alchemist fire (50gp and 1lb per vial) and get some extra acid or fire damage ontop of the bludgeoning from catapult, alternatively, carry around some bags of ball bearings or caltrops (1gp and 2lbs per bag) and see if your DM would allow for the bag to break/burst open on impact to spill the ball bearings/caltrops for some minor movement encumberance. You could also use flasks of oil in place of alchemist fire but you'd need to follow up with either spending Sorcery Points to quick cast a fire based cantrip or have another party member to cast it or toss a lit torch. You could also see if your DM would allow you to change the damage of Catapult from Bludgeoning to Slashing or Piercing if you used it to hurl a weapon such as a hand axe or a spear.
If you could use it in one of those ways its a good way to hide the spell casting as the spell has only a somatic components you're not saying any verbal to create the spell so people would just see you "throw" something really hard.
Also lamp oil. It's cheap and if you deal fire damage to the target after, it can take an additional 5 fire plus 5 the next round.