Danzig's Branched Lightning (3.5e Spell)
| Evocation [Electricity] | |
| Level: | Sorcerer/Wizard 9, Warmage 9 |
|---|---|
| Components: | V, S, F |
| Casting time: | 1 standard action |
| Range: | Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level) |
| Target: | One primary target, plus one secondary target/level (each of which must be within 30 ft. of the primary target), plus two tertiary targets/level (both of which must be within 30 ft. of their previous target) |
| Duration: | Instantaneous |
| Saving Throw: | Reflex half |
| Spell Resistance: | Yes |
This spell creates an electrical discharge that begins as a single stroke commencing from your fingertips. Unlike lightning bolt, Danzig's branched lightning strikes one object or creature initially, then arcs to other targets.
The bolt deals 1d6 points of electricity damage per caster level (maximum 25d6) to the primary target. After it strikes, lightning can arc to a number of targets equal to your caster level (maximum 25). The secondary bolts each strike one target and deal half as much damage as the primary one did (rounded down). For example, a 19th-level battlemage generates a primary bolt (19d6 points of damage, plus any extra damage from battlemage edge) and as many as nineteen secondary bolts (each of which deals half as much damage as the primary bolt dealt). Each target can attempt a Reflex saving throw for half damage. You choose secondary targets as you like, but they must all be within 30 feet of the primary target, and no target can be struck more than once. You can choose to affect fewer secondary targets than the maximum (to avoid allies in the area, for example).
However, if there are more targets than there are secondary bolts, the lightning from each secondary target may further arc to another two tertiary targets, with each bolt dealing a quarter of the damage of the primary bolt. Once again, you choose tertiary targets as you like, but they must be within 30 feet of the secondary target they sprung from, and no target can be struck more than once.
Danzig Nyttafjell created this spell for the express purpose of dealing with large, electrically-susceptible crowds, such as military units, and eliminating them from the top down.
Focus: A bit of fur, a piece of amber, glass or a crystal rod; plus one silver pin for each of your caster levels; plus two copper or brass pins for each of the tertiary targets.
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