Quote Originally Posted by ericgrau View Post
They're low level creatures. I'm confused why V didn't just smoke them all with a chain lightning. Even with electricity resistance it's likely to one shot most of them. Depending on level even those who roll super lucky on their save might still die from half damage.

Ok maybe he didn't get one of the best damage evocations, only has empowered fireball or some other such area spell. He could still 1 shot half of them. Or forcecage half of them.

Or maybe he just panicked and said "save me my magic". And now they have time to plan. Spells need line of effect but they could still buff and so on.
V's character development has been more about using magic supportively and conservingly instead of just blasting everything else before the party even gets a chance. Of course, threats to one's sanity are still threats.