Ive been tinkering here and there with a lightning cantrip for awhile now, at first I was going to have it do damage and keep the target from being able to use its reaction like shocking grasp, that was shot down pretty unanimously by the community. I dont want to play around with advantage/disadvantage. So I was just going to make it do straight damage with no rider. But I was thinking the other night, what about having it split the difference between acid splash and EB? Basically, Having the cantrip do a d8 damage with a shorter range, say 30 or 60 feet and every scaled level it can either do an additional die of damage to a single target OR it can target an additional creature for a single die? example at level 5 it can do 2d8 to a single target OR 1d8 to 2 targets within say 15 or 30 feet of each other, at level 11 3d8 to a point target or 1d8 to 1, 2 or 3 targets within a certain range of each other. This would put it somewhere in-between acid splash and EB in terms of mechanics. I would add versatility as a damaging spell without adding rider effects. The scaling text would be something like:
The spell creates more than one arc when you reach higher levels: two arcs at 5th level, three arcs at 11th level, and four arcs at 17th level. You can direct the arcs at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each target.
Looks good to me. One thing to consider, though: Eldritch Blast does something very similar, but with a damage type fewer creatures have immunity or resistance to, and doing 1d10 damage at a longer range. This spell might actually be underpowered. Just a thought, though; I might be missing something.
I personally dont think its fair to compare EB to wizard cantrips since EB is so integral to the warlock class, as its their primary schtick and offensive tool. Thats why I think it balances better to gear back wizard cantrips vs EB. Also though with EB, as a both merit and flaw, you roll a new attack for each beam, my spell you roll once per target no matter how may arcs you direct at it.
I think your reasoning is sound here. It's a nice perk to have such control over your damage distribution, but seems close enough in line with everything else.
I would like to see some kind of restriction on the range of the multi-targeting, something like Chain Lightning has. Shooting out in opposite directions to hit two creatures 120 feet apart doesn't evoke the same image as lightning arcing between a somewhat-clustered group of creatures.
Ive been tinkering here and there with a lightning cantrip for awhile now, at first I was going to have it do damage and keep the target from being able to use its reaction like shocking grasp, that was shot down pretty unanimously by the community. I dont want to play around with advantage/disadvantage. So I was just going to make it do straight damage with no rider. But I was thinking the other night, what about having it split the difference between acid splash and EB? Basically, Having the cantrip do a d8 damage with a shorter range, say 30 or 60 feet and every scaled level it can either do an additional die of damage to a single target OR it can target an additional creature for a single die? example at level 5 it can do 2d8 to a single target OR 1d8 to 2 targets within say 15 or 30 feet of each other, at level 11 3d8 to a point target or 1d8 to 1, 2 or 3 targets within a certain range of each other. This would put it somewhere in-between acid splash and EB in terms of mechanics. I would add versatility as a damaging spell without adding rider effects. The scaling text would be something like:
The spell creates more than one arc when you reach higher levels: two arcs at 5th level, three arcs at 11th level, and four arcs at 17th level. You can direct the arcs at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each target.
This is what I have so far: https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/1424759-arc-lightning
Thoughts?
Seems balanced too me
Should targeting multiple creatures with different arcs extend the range like I was originally thinking or is that too much?
Looks good to me. One thing to consider, though: Eldritch Blast does something very similar, but with a damage type fewer creatures have immunity or resistance to, and doing 1d10 damage at a longer range. This spell might actually be underpowered. Just a thought, though; I might be missing something.
pm me the word "tomato"
she/her
I personally dont think its fair to compare EB to wizard cantrips since EB is so integral to the warlock class, as its their primary schtick and offensive tool. Thats why I think it balances better to gear back wizard cantrips vs EB. Also though with EB, as a both merit and flaw, you roll a new attack for each beam, my spell you roll once per target no matter how may arcs you direct at it.
Touché.
pm me the word "tomato"
she/her
Any additional thoughts?
I think your reasoning is sound here. It's a nice perk to have such control over your damage distribution, but seems close enough in line with everything else.
I would like to see some kind of restriction on the range of the multi-targeting, something like Chain Lightning has. Shooting out in opposite directions to hit two creatures 120 feet apart doesn't evoke the same image as lightning arcing between a somewhat-clustered group of creatures.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
I agree, that's what I was going for, I didn't realist I hadn't written it into the description. I edited it and republished.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/1456305-arc-lightning