Favorite Traditional Spell in D&D?

[Matt James]

Simple question, simple answer

Favorite Traditional Spell in D&D?

[bargle0]

I like Fireball, but I hate what it's become in 4e. I've often thought about ways to bring it back to it's former glory, like having it auto-kill minions (easy) or making it fill volume like 2e (hard).

[Matt James]

Either of those would work. This was less about which edition of the spell you like the most, just the overall favorite spell. I chose Fireball because it is classic and deadly! I'll toss up some altered stats for the 4e version soon, if you would like it.

[Steelfiredragon]

all hail the ever so important fireball

[bargle0]

Either of those would work. This was less about which edition of the spell you like the most, just the overall favorite spell. I chose Fireball because it is classic and deadly! I'll toss up some altered stats for the 4e version soon, if you would like it.

I'm not sure it could really be restored to the treasure-melting, back-blasting, fight-ending nuclear bomb it once was without wrecking 4e game balance.

Maybe something like this:

Bargle's Fireball Wizard Attack 5
The crazy wizard is trying to kill the party. Again.
Daily * Arcane, Evocation, Fire, Implement
Standard Action Area burst 3 within 20 squares
Target: Each creature and object in the burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Reflex
Hit: 4d6 fire damage.
Miss: Half damage.
Effect: Intelligence modifier fire damage. Unattended flammable objects must save or catch fire.

Auto-minion popping, hurts more when it misses, targets objects, and sets things on fire.

[Diffan]

For arcane spells, my favorite is Evard's Black Tenticles. It's great for holding down enemies and keeping them contained AND they take damage automatically. It's just one of the best battlefield control spells of v3.5.

[JeffGupton]

Magic Missile has been a staple of the Wizard for as long as I remember.

[deadorcs]

Mage Armor. What better spell to give you the equivalent armor of chainmail/shield with no encumbrance or similar bonus. Upgrades the glass cannon to at least a ceramic cannon. :-)

[Spronty]

My favorites were upgraded versions of the old spells. Delayed FireballandChain Lightning. I think they were introduced in the original Unearthed Arcana, but my memory is not too good, so I could be wrong about that. But within the choices given I had to vote for Magic Missle. A spell that never misses and without the worry of collateral damage should be in ever wizard's memory.

[Matt James]

Delayed Fireball was always awesome. Good catch!