The state of Epic Greater Ruin

[Louvaine]

Has anyone tested this spell since the update to it? I'm struggling to find information on any reports.

I remember it being 3/Day meager damage type of thing before Epic Spell update, but given how now all the epic spells can be used number of times per day, I wonder if Epic Greater Ruin is still a valid choice. 50d6 is 200 on average, so I'd expext not to make impact with this spell like I would with literally any other Epic Spell.

The wiki doesn't say what damage type is dealt, but wording suggests Disintegration-like magical damage. This would be the only saving grace, in my opinion, for this spell.

Maybe I'm missing something, thought the hivemind would know.

[DaloLorn]

It's basically Greater Disintegrate: Higher DC, doesn't lose quite as much damage on a passed save, slightly higher maximum damage. Not a lot to be said about it.

It does hold the distinction of being the only epic damage spell that can't be blocked by resistances and immunities, on account of its damage type. But if those are absent, any of the AoEs would be greatly superior, due to:

• Comparable damage dice, applicable to everyone in the area of effect.
• Hellball ignores Evasion (but may deal 10d6 backlash damage).
• Epic Lightning Storm has a DC bonus (but apparently loses 10 damage dice).
• Epic Mass Heal needs no introduction.

And of course the save-or-die spells are even better, since instead of dealing a pile of damage on a failed save, they actually kill the victim outright. (Don't take Damnation, though!)

[Louvaine]

Thanks for breaking it down, Dalo. <3
There's also no RTA, so no miss chance and no crit chance. If it deals magical damage, I think it does have an use.

What is it you meant about Damnation?

[DaloLorn]

Because it respects teleport locks, it's basically useless in most of the places you'd care to use it. The solutions to this have long been debated, but none ever made it in.

[Louvaine]

Damn, I was afraid that's what you are going to say. Well, thanks for clarifying.