## Foreword: Check with your GM! [Dazing Spell][1] reads: >Benefit: You can modify a spell to daze a creature damaged by the spell. ***When a creature takes damage from this spell***, they become dazed for a number of rounds equal to the original level of the spell. ***If the spell allows a saving throw***, a successful save negates the daze effect. If the spell does not allow a save, the target can make a Will save to negate the daze effect. If the spell effect also causes the creature to become dazed, the duration of this metamagic effect is added to the duration of the spell. (emphasis added) As we'll see, the meanings of these two phrases aren't as obvious as they might appear. See [these][2] [two][3] questions for discussion of how some other Metamagic Feats apply to various spells and what counts as "damage from a spell". Different GMs are likely to interpret these rules differently; one GM's "creative use of the rules" is another's "obvious cheating". If possible, I recommend discussing specific spells with your GM ahead of time to determine how Dazing Spell affects them at your table. ## One Size Doesn't Fit All I don't think you're going to find a single "best" Dazing Spell that works best in all situations. For example, sometimes you'll want a Dazing Spell that targets Fort saves and sometimes you'll want one that targets Will saves. So rather than trying to identify a single "best" spell, I'm going to highlight a few spells that have properties that combine particularly well with Dazing Spell. ## Spells ### [*Acid Pit*][4] Pros: - No attack roll. - Medium range. - Bypasses SR. - The acid deals damage every round, so it could daze your enemy repeatedly. Since they're dazed, they can't climb out of the acid and keep taking damage. - Arguably, the save that determines whether the enemy is dazed is the Reflex save to avoid falling in the pit. That is, since the spell normally doesn't have a save against the acid damage on subsequent rounds, you could argue that once someone falls in the acid, they're stuck getting repeatedly dazed with no save. (While I think this is a reasonable RAW interpretation, I probably wouldn't rule that way as a GM myself). - Even if your DM allows a save every round, the pit is hard to climb out of. They could easily fall while climbing and have to save again. Cons: - 4th-level spell. - Doesn't affect flying creatures. Other: - The acid can damage the enemy's gear, which is good while they have it but bad for claiming it as treasure. ### [*Flame Strike*][5] Pros: - No attack roll. - Medium range. - Half of the damage is "divine", making it very difficult to avoid. Cons: - Not a wizard spell. - 4th- or 5th-level spell. - Doesn't bypass SR. ### [*Ice Spears*][6] Pros: - 3rd-level spell. - No attack roll. - Bypasses SR. - Deals both cold and piercing damage, so it can affect most creatures. - Can also knock opponents prone, making them easier to hit in melee while they're dazed. - -2 save penalty in cold areas. Cons: - Close range. - Flying enemies may be out of reach. Other: - The spears remain until they melt and may create cover. ### [*Ice Storm*][7] Pros: - No attack roll. - Long range. - Deals both cold and bludgeoning damage, so it can affect most creatures. Cons: - 4th-level spell. - Doesn't bypass SR. Other: - Creates difficult terrain. ### [*Sheet Lightning*][8] Pros: - 3rd-level spell. - No attack roll. - Medium range. - Fort save (there seem to be relatively few options that require Fort saves). - -2 save penalty if wearing metal armor. Cons: - Low damage. - Doesn't bypass SR. [1]: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/metamagic-feats/dazing-spell-metamagic/ [2]: https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/88095/can-merciful-spell-be-used-on-summon-monster-spells [3]: https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/181014/how-can-i-identify-which-spells-are-incompatible-with-merciful-spell [4]: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/a/acid-pit/ [5]: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/f/flame-strike/ [6]: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/i/ice-spears/ [7]: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/i/ice-storm/ [8]: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/sheet-lightning