• A cantrip that’s as effective as “power word kill” on mundane folk? Use 55 times to kill a dragon? How did I miss this?

    As a DM, I’d have to implement a house rule that every such insult must be unique, as it is magically bound to the target at that distinct moment in time. And that goes for failures as well as successes: each use burns that phrase forever. At the very least this goes if used repeatedly against the same target. Besides, a good bard should be able to cook up fresh material.

    • JackbyDev
      link
      fedilink
      English
      1619 hours ago

      This is an absolutely insane take. Vicious Mockery is the the least damaging cantrip (or like bottom three). Further, it’s a cantrip, something players are supposed to be able to easily without resource consumption. Expecting a player to come up with unique insults every time they cast this is stupid and exhausting. Also, the reason it’s “as effective as power word kill on common folk” is because common folk are weak and meant to weak. They’re not heroes.

      Spell casters using cantrips is akin to fighters making normal attacks, swinging a sword.

      • @MouseKeyboard@ttrpg.network
        link
        fedilink
        416 hours ago

        Also, the reason it’s “as effective as power word kill on common folk” is because common folk are weak and meant to weak. They’re not heroes.

        Fly swats are overpowered because they’re as effective as a machine gun at killing flies.

        • JackbyDev
          link
          fedilink
          English
          212 hours ago

          It’s important for others reading this that they realize a cat can kill a commoner in one attack. A magic user using magic shouldn’t be shocking, even when that magic is flavored as an insult.

    • Robust Mirror
      link
      fedilink
      818 hours ago

      So are you going to nerf every class similarly?

      Bard

      Vicious Mockery: avg 10 / 55 casts

      Cleric

      Word of Radiance: avg 13.5 / 41 casts
      Sacred flame: avg 18 / 31 casts

      Druid

      Produce Flame: avg 11 / 50 casts
      Poison Spray: avg 22.5 / 25 casts

      Sorcerer

      Acid Splash: avg 10.5 / 52 casts

      Warlock

      Chill Touch: avg 11 / 50 casts

      Wizard

      Ray of Frost: avg 11 / 50 casts

      Artificer

      Thunderclap: avg 13.5 / 41 casts