Sonic Weapon

[Thin Ice]

Good morning,

I noticed that the sonic weapon doesn't match up to it's PnP implementation, and is rather substandard to other elemental buffs.

The duration looks to be 1 minute / caster level with 1d6 on paper, but it is implemented as 1 round / caster with 1d4 damage.

https://dndtools.org/spells/spell-compe ... pon--4195/
https://nwn2-realms-of-trinity.fandom.c ... nic_Weapon

vs

https://wiki.bgtscc.net/index.php?title=Sonic_Weapon

Thanks for you consideration!

[DaloLorn]

I always thought that was weird...

Apparently it's also supposed to be on the arcane spellbook? Not sure if we want to carry that one over to BG too, though. Most offensive buffs are on the divine and natural spellbooks, which feels like it might be by design.

[Endelyon]

Lots of stuff was adjusted from 1d6 to 1d4 on the server, this is really not that abnormal.

The fact that it's a bard spell is why it was toned down, they're pretty strong already.

[Theodore01]

it's not the damage dice, it's the duration that is the issue.

[Thin Ice]

it's not the damage dice, it's the duration that is the issue.

Mainly this, yes.

1d4 seems rational, especially since it can be applied to ranged weapons.

[Steve]

it's not the damage dice, it's the duration that is the issue.

Even 1d4 extra dmg for 30 RL minutes on a Bard is giving an already pwning Class even more lasting power.

It's a level 2 spell. Easily Extended to 6 minutes for CL 30 Bard. I think a Bard can kill the Balor in less than 6 minutes if you build it right!!!

[Thin Ice]

it's not the damage dice, it's the duration that is the issue.

Even 1d4 extra dmg for 30 RL minutes on a Bard is giving an already pwning Class even more lasting power.

It's a level 2 spell. Easily Extended to 6 minutes for CL 30 Bard. I think a Bard can kill the Balor in less than 6 minutes if you build it right!!!

Do players even "pwn" anymore?

To me, it's more a hit on QoL. I just noticed that it was very skewed from PnP, and was wondering if it needed to be hit with the nerf bat so hard...

How about move it from a level 2 to say a level 3,4, 5, or even 6?

[Steve]

The spell didn't exist in vanilla NWN2 (right?).

But here is how Kaedrin coded it:

Sonic Weapon
Caster Level(s): Bard 2
Innate Level: 2
School: Transmutation
Descriptor(s): Sonic
Component(s): Verbal
Range: Touch
Area of Effect / Target: Weapon touched
Duration: 1 minute/level
Save: None
Spell Resistance: No

While the spell is in effect, the affected weapon deals an extra 1d6 points of sonic damage with each successful attack. The sonic energy does not harm the weapon's wielder. Bows, crossbows, and slings that are affected by this spell bestow the sonic energy upon their ammunition.

<i>Holding the weapon to your mouth, you whisper the spell's arcane words, shrouding the weapon in visible sound like a thin sheen of water.</i>

Like Endy said, most spells—and so much else, actually—that came onto BGTSCC by Kaedrin, was lowered in power, even if it was a nerf compared to PnP.

And yeah, with Bard always having been powerful, it added to the decision made so long ago, to nerf it.

[Ithilan]

How about move it from a level 2 to say a level 3,4, 5, or even 6?

Please dont do this. Sonic weapon works fine as a tempoary buff for bards, as a level 2 spell, for boss fights etc. just like a FvS or Cleric casting DP, Recitation etc. it serves this buff function fairly well.

Spell choices are limited for many builds and some spells are just mandatory. Moving sonic weapon higher up would make it even more worthless imo.

Spell is perfectly fine in its current iteration and unlike other elemental buff spells, it works on any and all weapons. So you can use it on a bow too, cast it on party members and what not. It is perfectly fine in its current iteration.