Area of Cone [Archive] - Wizards Community

Area of Cone [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
psi51
06-05-04, 10:58 PM An on going arguement with the DM has lead to this

I've looked in the DMG and aother various sources and no where does it say that a cones area of effect is three dimensional. Normally this would not be a problem but when you are flying above some thing and cast straight down it becomes an issue.

The DMG mentions spheres going in all directions but not cones.

So is is an actual cone or is it more of a two dimensional fan or triangle shape.

Thanks for any ideas or references.
Nyat
06-05-04, 11:15 PM Well, if it didn't have three dimensions it wouldn't be a cone now would it? Going strictly by the rules though I can't think of any support for that idea.
smrtgmp
06-06-04, 01:23 AM I always thought it would be an actual cone, myself. However, in the descriptoin of burning hands it says it shoots out a fan shaped burst of fire, but the area of effect is a cone. *shrugs* one of lifes great mysteries.
Nyat
06-06-04, 01:40 AM Actually, I don't think Burning Hands is mentioned as being a thin sheet of flame in 3.5 like it has been in the past.
smrtgmp
06-06-04, 02:13 AM Originally from the SRD:
Burning Hands
Evocation [Fire]
Level: Fire 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 15 ft.
Area: Cone-shaped burst
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
A cone of searing flame shoots from your fingertips. Any creature in the area of the flames takes 1d4 points of fire damage per caster level (maximum 5d4). Flammable materials burn if the flames touch them. A character can extinguish burning items as a full-round action.
emphasis mine
Nyat
06-06-04, 02:41 AM Yes, but I never said it wasn't a cone. I said it wasn't a thin sheet any more, or a fan shaped burst of fire so burning hands really doesn't do anything to say a cone isn't three dimensional.
smrtgmp
06-06-04, 03:12 AM Yes, but I never said it wasn't a cone. I said it wasn't a thin sheet any more
sorry, in my haste I misread your previous post. I though you were saying it didnt say it was a cone. And I forgot they did away with the sheet of flame.
psi51
06-06-04, 05:41 AM Thanks for the input I have found a reference that will work from the Draconomicon ( Dragon Breath Spell ) a cone is long wide and high however the proportions given are that the cone is as long as it is high as it is wide ( same as 3.0 ) which does not quite work with the same dimensions as the 3.5 SRD ( the quarter circle spread ) but it does define a cone well enough for my liking.

A cone-shaped spell shoots away from you in a quarter-circle in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and widens out as it goes. Most cones are either bursts or emanations (see above), and thus won’t go around corners.

Gives a little bit more (1.4 times) length for the draconomicon version and a little bit more ( 1.4 times ) width , height and volume for the 3.5 SRD ( usless fact no. 781 )

Didn't realise about the new dimensions for Burning hands

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
psi51 06-05-04, 10:58 PM	An on going arguement with the DM has lead to this I've looked in the DMG and aother various sources and no where does it say that a cones area of effect is three dimensional. Normally this would not be a problem but when you are flying above some thing and cast straight down it becomes an issue. The DMG mentions spheres going in all directions but not cones. So is is an actual cone or is it more of a two dimensional fan or triangle shape. Thanks for any ideas or references.
Nyat 06-05-04, 11:15 PM	Well, if it didn't have three dimensions it wouldn't be a cone now would it? Going strictly by the rules though I can't think of any support for that idea.
smrtgmp 06-06-04, 01:23 AM	I always thought it would be an actual cone, myself. However, in the descriptoin of burning hands it says it shoots out a fan shaped burst of fire, but the area of effect is a cone. shrugs one of lifes great mysteries.
Nyat 06-06-04, 01:40 AM	Actually, I don't think Burning Hands is mentioned as being a thin sheet of flame in 3.5 like it has been in the past.
smrtgmp 06-06-04, 02:13 AM	Originally from the SRD: Burning Hands Evocation [Fire] Level: Fire 1, Sor/Wiz 1 Components: V, S Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: 15 ft. Area: Cone-shaped burst Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: Reflex half Spell Resistance: Yes A cone of searing flame shoots from your fingertips. Any creature in the area of the flames takes 1d4 points of fire damage per caster level (maximum 5d4). Flammable materials burn if the flames touch them. A character can extinguish burning items as a full-round action. emphasis mine
Nyat 06-06-04, 02:41 AM	Yes, but I never said it wasn't a cone. I said it wasn't a thin sheet any more, or a fan shaped burst of fire so burning hands really doesn't do anything to say a cone isn't three dimensional.
smrtgmp 06-06-04, 03:12 AM	Yes, but I never said it wasn't a cone. I said it wasn't a thin sheet any more sorry, in my haste I misread your previous post. I though you were saying it didnt say it was a cone. And I forgot they did away with the sheet of flame.
psi51 06-06-04, 05:41 AM	Thanks for the input I have found a reference that will work from the Draconomicon ( Dragon Breath Spell ) a cone is long wide and high however the proportions given are that the cone is as long as it is high as it is wide ( same as 3.0 ) which does not quite work with the same dimensions as the 3.5 SRD ( the quarter circle spread ) but it does define a cone well enough for my liking. A cone-shaped spell shoots away from you in a quarter-circle in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and widens out as it goes. Most cones are either bursts or emanations (see above), and thus won’t go around corners. Gives a little bit more (1.4 times) length for the draconomicon version and a little bit more ( 1.4 times ) width , height and volume for the 3.5 SRD ( usless fact no. 781 ) Didn't realise about the new dimensions for Burning hands