Moonbolt

Moonbolt
Spell Information
Spell level :	Innate level: 4, Druid: 4
School :	Evocation
Components :	Verbal and Somatic
Range :	Long
Target/Area :	One living or undead creature
Duration :	Instantaneous
Save :	Fortitude 1/2 (living target) or Will negates (undead target)
Spell resistance :	No

Description

A moon bolt strikes unerringly against any living or undead creature in range.

A living creature struck by a moon bolt takes 1d4 points of Strength damage per three caster levels (maximum 5d4). If the subject makes a successful Fortitude saving throw, the Strength damage is halved.

An undead creature struck by a moon bolt must make a Will save or fall helpless for 1d4 rounds, after which time it is no longer helpless and can stand upright, but it takes a -2 penalty on attack rolls and Will saving throws for the next minute.

Notes

• This spell is popular for the high Strength damage at higher levels, which usually causes most targets to become Encumbered by the sudden reduction in carrying capacity. Even if the target saves, this spell can easily do around seven points of Strength damage at caster level 15, causing the target to be unable to carry what was previously a fairly light load.
• The spell attempts to reduce the undead target's DEX to 0 during the knockdown phase. This, however, is pointless, as undead are immune to ability decrease.
• When extended, both the knockdown duration and the will saving throw decrease duration are extended. The STR damage to living targets is permanent (but not as in curse, so it will be removed when the player rests). When empowered or maximised, the knockdown duration / STR damage will be empowered/maximised.
• Note (the spell description is somewhat ambiguous): The will saving throw decrease will only kick in AFTER the knockdown effect wears off. So if you are using this spell to debuff a target for the subsequent casting of Undeath to Death/Heal, you have to wait until it gets up, only then the will save will be decreased.