Call Lightning, Static Charge - how do u target the spells?

[bariumdose]

Can you target an enemy or area using these spells? Or, is it determined randomly by the computer? If determined by the computer, are your allies immune to the effects? Do you have to recast the spell if you want it to affect another foe?

[mr_sir]

it randomly targets enemies in the area of effect when you cast it

[Aerich]

Not entirely true.

Call Lightning requires you to cast it on a target. Static Charge does not require a target. Both auto-target every ten rounds after casting with no player input required.

The obvious advantage to Static Charge (aside from being able to cast it inside - Call Lightning is useless for long stretches of the game) is that you can cast it well before combat, thus avoiding the risk of spell disruption and giving yourself the chance to perform other actions in tough battles.

A hasted, shapechanged druid with multiple Static Charges going is a devastating offensive melee fighter.

[bariumdose]

[quote=Aerich]Not entirely true.

The obvious advantage to Static Charge (aside from being able to cast it inside - Call Lightning is useless for long stretches of the game) is that you can cast it well before combat, thus avoiding the risk of spell disruption and giving yourself the chance to perform other actions in tough battles.
QUOTE]

Wait, are you saying I can cast Static Charge BEFORE an enemy has noticed me? That is, if I'm just outside the dark, murky areas where I know there are goonies, I can cast Static Charge and then walk into battle and the charge will go off every 10 rounds, etc?

Also, does Produce Fire work the same way? That is, I don't need to target an enemy and I can cast it before entering combat?

[Aerich]

Yes to the Static Charge question. Looks like a better spell now, doesn't it? Multiple SC castings before a tough fight (or several tough fights, because the duration is so long) is a winning tactic - just be sure that whatever you're fighting takes damage from electricity.

If you feel like a little game-engine exploitation, a druid walking around invisible with multiple static charges can be fun... once. Don't do this on a regular basis, because it's cheap and gets boring really fast.

Produce Fire does not work the same way; it has to target an area, and only last for a couple of rounds, I believe. I know the description says one round, but it seems to last longer than that, such that any creatures in the AoE take damage twice.

Best results are on an area where you can rely on the critters to stay still - either in a "spelltrapped" area of Webs and Entangles, or right around your (fire-protected) lead tank.

[kmonster]

Static charge and call lightning disappear when you reload. So you'd better save before casting it before a battle starts.

[Aerich]

Good point. I tend not to have to reload battles if I've loaded up on Static Charge, so I wasn't aware of that.

I should clarify a previous point; although the descriptions say once every ten rounds, I believe the exact number of rounds between hits is random within the 10-round parameter.