Does Fireball set characters on fire?

[Murrdox]

No one answered this question from the Entangle thread, so I thought it'd be a good separate topic.

As to the whole Burning Hands/Evocation argument (I'm fine with Entangle being Transmutation... it only affects plants in the area... doesn't create new ones... seeds don't work).

I've always been confused as to exactly why "Burning Hands" is a transmutation spell as well... I've just kind of taken it as a given... and considered that it might just be a Transmution spell for BALANCE issues.

I mean, 1st level evocation already has Magic Missle... they might have just made it transmutation to give Transmuters a good 1st level combat spell.

BTW... do any DMs out there rule that Fireball sets characters on fire? As a DM, I've always ruled that Fireball doesn't set anything on fire that isn't VERY flammable - since it's a very brief, although large explosion. It generally singes everything, and immolates things like paper.

However, I DO rule that Burning Hands sets characters on fire, because I view it more as a sustained burst of flames from one's hands... like a flamethrower.

And BTW.... Burning Hands doesn't AUTOMATICALLY set characters on fire... I make my players make a second RFL save to avoid being set on fire after they save for the damage from the spell.

 

[Berk]

It says in the descriptions of the spells that both burning hands and fireball set combustibles on fire. Course I only enforce that rule to unattended objects.

I mean, every adventurer would be bald. Which adventurer hasn't been subjected to being in the blast of a fireball?

 

[hammymchamham]

IMO, too many rolls for too little gain (and too many headaches). I suppose if they rolled a 1 on the save they may be on fire...

 

[kreynolds]

BTW... do any DMs out there rule that Fireball sets characters on fire?

I don't. The rules don't say that either. From the FAQ...

As noted in the DUNGEON MASTER's Guide, no spell with an instantaneous duration sets a creature on fire...

Also, from page 86, Catching on Fire, DMG...

Spells such as fireball or flame strike don't normally set a character on fire, since the heat and flame from these come and go in a flash.

Even if you roll a 1 on your saving throw against a fireball, you still don't catch fire. One of your items might get damaged, but that's it.

 

[kengar]

The way I would rule it is that the fireball is over too quickly (Duration: Instantaneous) to ignite most "normal" things; even clothing needs a flame held to it for a second or two in order to start burning. The damage you take from fireball is primarily from the intense heat "cooking" you.

On the other hand, if a character lobbed a fireball at a guy who had just been doused in oil, I would argue that the oil would ignite since it he now far more flammable than "normal."

No real "rule" to quote, just my take on things.

 

[Berk]

The way I would rule it is that the fireball is over too quickly (Duration: Instantaneous) to ignite most "normal" things; even clothing needs a flame held to it for a second or two in order to start burning. The damage you take from fireball is primarily from the intense heat "cooking" you.

On the other hand, if a character lobbed a fireball at a guy who had just been doused in oil, I would argue that the oil would ignite since it he now far more flammable than "normal."

No real "rule" to quote, just my take on things.

Read the spells. Fireball says anything that is combustible in the area of the spell gets set on fire. Same thing with burning hands. Now I'm not saying that it sets creatures on fire or the objects carried by creatures. I'm just saying that if a pile of clothes, yes clothes are combustible, are sitting in a room and then a fireball goes off the clothes would catch fire.

 

[hammymchamham]

Re: Re: Does Fireball set characters on fire?

Even if you roll a 1 on your saving throw against a fireball, you still don't catch fire. One of your items might get damaged, but that's it.

Sorry, I ment to say

"I may have them be on fire if they rolled a 1"
I did not mean to allude that the rules indicated so

 

[Murrdox]

kreynolds, thanks very much for pointing out the DMG to me... you're a wealth of knowledge, as always.

I never remember reading that there was a specific thing in the DMG which said that instantaneous durations don't set things on fire. Makes sense when you look at it... man, I forget way too many rules

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Re: Does Fireball set characters on fire?

I did not mean to allude that the rules indicated so

I know. The thread opened asking DMs how they would rule, so your response was valid. That's why I didn't quote your post.

 

[kreynolds]

...you're a wealth of knowledge, as always.

Hmff. Today, maybe.