Ice Storm sucks. FW still better by a mile.

[Noelemahc]

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the spell. When it first hit lamannia with the upgraded version, it rocked because of the scaling damage (was almost too strong, but still was relieved to have something else to cast than wall of fire for a change). When it was that strong, extend not working with it was ok. The scaling damage was taken away, and now it completely sucks. Extend not working with the spell is no longer ok.

Against fire resistant mobs, wall of fire still out damages ice storm by a mile, and it lasts twice as long too. What is the point of this spell then other than a buff for mob casters? Please either add scaling damage, throw extend on it (what is the point of extend if spells don't work with it?), or give us a spell actually worth casting. As of now this spell is still as useless as it was before.

[Attropos]

Agreed; +1/caster level makes it very strong (some considered it OP). Taking away all that extra damage makes it gimp.

Why not go the middle ground and give it +1 damage/2 caster levels? Honestly, you should see the other thread though about people's reactions.

[LookingForABentoBox]

Against fire resistant mobs, wall of fire still out damages ice storm by a mile,

Is that a typo? Do you mean fire resistant vs fire immune, or did you mean non-fire resistant?

[sirgog]

Is that a typo? Do you mean fire resistant vs fire immune, or did you mean non-fire resistant?

I think he means that Firewall does so much more damage that facing a mob with no cold resistance but partial fire resistance, you'd generally use Firewall anyway.

[Chai]

Amrath.

Ice storm.

Win.

Film at 11.

[LunaCee]

Is that a typo? Do you mean fire resistant vs fire immune, or did you mean non-fire resistant?

Generally anything with less than 100+ points of fire resistance or outright immunity you should be using firewall. Given that the "optimal" average damage of Icestorm with full critical enhancements and a Major Ice Lore item is 127... That should give you a really *BIG* clue as to the power differential. Especially considering one also has pass through damage and can be extended.

[Syrophir]

Sad but have to agree with this one.
Not extendable nails it for me.

[stoolcannon]

I would have liked to see it function for the same duration as FW with the same amount of damage split between bludgeon and cold.

I'm not quite sure I understand why they felt the need to make it so much different. There needs to be another spell in the game that matches the utility of firewall with a different damage profile.

[muffinlad]

I would have liked to see it function for the same duration as FW with the same amount of damage split between bludgeon and cold.

I'm not quite sure I understand why they felt the need to make it so much different. There needs to be another spell in the game that matches the utility of firewall with a different damage profile.

Yes...this exaxtly.

They have already made it take up a similar (overused) 4th level slot, I think we should be able to see similar performance.


muffinslinger.

[Therilith]

I would have liked to see it function for the same duration as FW with the same amount of damage split between bludgeon and cold.

I'm not quite sure I understand why they felt the need to make it so much different.

Because the prevalence of fire resistance/immunity (especially at endgame) is the only thing keeping FW from being insanely overpowered. Cold resistance is far less common (and bludgeoning resistance, well...).

[Noelemahc]

Is that a typo? Do you mean fire resistant vs fire immune, or did you mean non-fire resistant?

No. I mean resistant, not immune. Obviously fw isn't going to damage fire immune mobs You can fight mobs with fire resist that do not have cold resist, and fw still will outdamage ice storm. Even out in amrath, Ice Storm was ticking for like 7-10 cold damage, and 50-60ish bludgeon on non-crits. Firewall was still ticking for 130-150 on non-crits. Ice Storm just sucks. It needs to at least be extendable.

[the_binary_man]

+1
ice storm is still not useful damage-wise or by its duration

[mediocresurgeon]

Ice Storm should be extendable.

/signed

[Legendary_Agent]

rofl im a bit disapointed that the devs did not listen to us, they focused their time on a spell ppl are not going to use, since is level 4 and pointless to switch for any spell at all. well done!

[Jacoby]

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the spell. When it first hit lamannia with the upgraded version, it rocked because of the scaling damage (was almost too strong, but still was relieved to have something else to cast than wall of fire for a change). When it was that strong, extend not working with it was ok. The scaling damage was taken away, and now it completely sucks. Extend not working with the spell is no longer ok.

Against fire resistant mobs, wall of fire still out damages ice storm by a mile, and it lasts twice as long too. What is the point of this spell then other than a buff for mob casters? Please either add scaling damage, throw extend on it (what is the point of extend if spells don't work with it?), or give us a spell actually worth casting. As of now this spell is still as useless as it was before.

After playing with the spell for a couple days now I agree. It's useless and more of an incovenience as a large portion of the mobs out there are sporting ice resistances. The bludgeoning damage alone does make up the difference. Too weak in my opinion.