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Flame Strike

Battering Blast

Pros:

• 3rd-level spell
• Ranged touch attacks, usually fairly reliable.
• Force damage, which few enemies resist.
• Targets specific enemies, so you don't need to worry about allies in the AoE.
• Can also knock enemies prone if the bull rush succeeds.

Cons:

• Close range.
• Doesn't bypass SR.
• You only get additional targets at levels 10, 15, and 20.

Other:

• It's not clear whether the save would be Ref or Will. There's a Ref save if the bull rush is successful, but it doesn't affect the amount of damage.

Flame Strike

Thorny Entanglement

Pros:

• 3rd-level spell.
• No attack roll for enemies inside the main area of effect.
• Long range and large area of effect.
• Bypasses SR.
• Several chances to daze an enemy, since it fires every round.

Cons:

• Not normally a wizard spell.
• Uses attack rolls for enemies in the secondary AoE.
• Can't select out allies.
• Deals piercing damage, may not penetrate DR.
• Like entangle, only works in areas with vegetation.

Other:

• It's not clear whether the save would be Ref or Will. There's a Ref save to avoid being entangled, but the damage works differently.

• Not a wizard spell.
• 4th- or 5th-level spell.
• Doesn't bypass SR.

• Not normally a wizard spell.
• 4th- or 5th-level spell.
• Doesn't bypass SR.