Hailstorm
 Hailstorm
| |
|---|---|
| Level | 3 |
| School1 | Conjuration |
| School2 | Ice |
| Source(s) | Book of Frost Book of the Tundra |
| Casting noise | 4 |
| Spell noise | 0 |
| Power Cap | 100 |
| Range | 3 |
| Flags | Area |
| Conjures a cannonade of hail. The eye of the storm is wide enough that monsters adjacent to the caster are unaffected. Due to the strong impact and cutting edges a significant portion of its damage bypasses cold resistance. |
| Spell Details | |
|---|---|
| Damage Formula | 3d(3.33+Power/6) |
| Max Damage | 3d20 |
| Max Power | 100 |
| Range | 2-3 |
| Targeting | Area |
| To-hit | 9 + Power/10 |
| Special | |
Hailstorm is a Level 3 Conjurations/Ice Magic spell that drops hail on all tiles that are 2-3 spaces away from the caster (marked with 'x'):
......... .xxxxxxx. .xxxxxxx. .xx...xx. .xx.@.xx. .xx...xx. .xxxxxxx. .xxxxxxx. .........
Hailstorm deals 50% cold damage. 50% of the damage is physical, which makes it usable against creatures with cold immunity (like ice beasts or simulacra).
Reavers start with this spell in their libraries.
Strategy
Hailstorm deals decent damage. While it's most useful against groups, it can deal respectable damage against single targets, too.
But the range of 2-3 is awkward, to say the least. Spells like Cigotuvi's Dreadful Rot, Gell's Gravitas, and Iskenderun's Mystic Blast, or abilities like Fedhas' Wall of Briars, can keep targets right in your line of fire. Summons can be used to a similar effect, as long as you don't hit the summon. Species with fast movement (Spriggans and Felids) can kite with this spell.
Tips & Tricks
- Good synergy with Frozen Ramparts and Ozocubu's Armour. Before enemies can enter Hailstorm's range, you can cast those spells. When enemies do get into range, you'll deal extra damage and have more AC.
- Standing near the edge of a corridor can allow you to take advantage of this configuration:
.xxxxx. .xxxxx. ..#m#.. ..#@#.. ..#.#..
- Only one monster (if that) can engage you in melee at a time, but you can hit multiple enemies at a time.
- If the opportunity presents itself, allowing weaker enemies to stand next to you will force stronger ones to stand helplessly 2-3 tiles away. Be warned; strong pack creatures or intelligent monsters can generally force their way to the front, so this tactic may not always work.
History
- Prior to 0.30, Hailstorm was a level 4 spell. It did not have a chance to miss. Also, it was 45% resistible.
- Prior to 0.27, Hailstorm didn't affect creatures made entirely out of ice - ice beasts, ice statues, and simulacra.
- Hailstorm was added in 0.25, replacing Throw Icicle in player spell lists.
