Re: Elementals and their odd differences
Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 9:37 pm
The elementals are more or less on the same line. If you compare the Shadow and Ice elemental, the former gets better AB while the latter gets the better defensive stats. But I would have to agree that the Fire/Ice Elementals seems to get most out of their stats.
But it doesn't mean that the other elementals are without their use. For example, if you look at Water Elemental it actually has the best saves among all the elementals. Give it immunity to mind affecting through Lesser Mind Blank, and buff its saves with Greater Heroism and Superior Resistance and it is less likely to die on enemy caster's save or die spells. From recent memory the Ogre Chieftain in the ogre cave can throw few DC 25 Destruction spells, and the water elemental will only die on a roll of one, a 5%~ chance. As for the fire/ice elemental, it has about 30% chance to die with the same defensive buffs. Therefore, the water elemental is the better choice to pick against areas with large amounts of save or die mob casters.
Now, it doesn't change the fact how the Fire Elemental will get extra damage due to fire weaknesses or how it is just plain handy against trolls of the Troll Claw Fjord. But even the lowest damage of the Air Elemental has its use because it has the highest base AC. Higher base AC means that it will be hit less and that translates to ability to tank, thus if the caster himself is the one that deals the majority of damage, the air elemental can act as a very useful distraction.
But it doesn't mean that the other elementals are without their use. For example, if you look at Water Elemental it actually has the best saves among all the elementals. Give it immunity to mind affecting through Lesser Mind Blank, and buff its saves with Greater Heroism and Superior Resistance and it is less likely to die on enemy caster's save or die spells. From recent memory the Ogre Chieftain in the ogre cave can throw few DC 25 Destruction spells, and the water elemental will only die on a roll of one, a 5%~ chance. As for the fire/ice elemental, it has about 30% chance to die with the same defensive buffs. Therefore, the water elemental is the better choice to pick against areas with large amounts of save or die mob casters.
Now, it doesn't change the fact how the Fire Elemental will get extra damage due to fire weaknesses or how it is just plain handy against trolls of the Troll Claw Fjord. But even the lowest damage of the Air Elemental has its use because it has the highest base AC. Higher base AC means that it will be hit less and that translates to ability to tank, thus if the caster himself is the one that deals the majority of damage, the air elemental can act as a very useful distraction.
