Buff or Remove Exploding Ammo

[bcadren]

I don't particularly care which; but either should be done.

According to learnDB it's 2d5 flat damage in addition to the original hit. Unsure if that's exactly right, but it's completely negligible damage versus nearly all targets after the AC reduction, comparable to a magic dart. That's for some reason as loud as a fireball. Might as well be "noisy ammo that always mulches" in it's current state; either just remove the brand (when an enemy throws it the message spam about it failing to hurt all the nearby plants is annoying anyways), or make it actually use throwing skill/base damage for the explosion instead of the very weak flat damage.

[KittenInMyCerealz]

Just make the explosion damage bypass ac.

[jejorda2]

It's normal ammo that NEVER MISSES, always mulches, makes noise, and has fireball targeting. The extra damage could be 0 and it would be worth using on occasion- bogarts behind summons, for example, or anything in the early game when you haven't trained launcher skill.

I'm assuming the full damage of the missile never misses. It seems that way to me, but damage is so swingy It is hard to tell.

[le_nerd]

The only reason for exploding in its current form to exist was giant spores. Due to 1HP/high EV they were the perfect targets. Should be changed or removed (in favour of removal!)

[duvessa]

Exploding ammo is very strong early game, as jejorda2 says, but I don't think it's good for the game. Its purpose is filled pretty well by a wand of magic darts already. Plus, removing exploding ammo makes Hellfire more unique.

[bcadren]

Just make the explosion damage bypass ac.

The arbalest Hellfire's whole gimmick is it makes all ammo explode (2d5); but the explosion is hellfire instead of normal...so you just said make all exploding damage like hellfire and I'm going to say 'no' to that. Hellfire is great; but that's a bit too much of a buff...

[Sar]

Hellfire is 3d8 now.

[Berder]

The arbalest Hellfire could use a buff. It seemed awfully weak when I used it against some draconians once. For instance, it was far inferior to penetration ammo with a normal arbalest. Plus it even has a downside (ammo always mulches) which is significant in the early game, and means you don't want to train xbows solely to make use of Hellfire, like you might do with the Storm Bow.

[Sar]

I found it to be pretty strong and fun when I used it post-buff. Cool thing is that explosion part never misses if you shoot with . (also potentially tedious but still cool).

[File200]

Just make the explosion damage scale with your weapon skill. Bam, no more "Strong early, useless later" dynamic.