Breath weapons and lighting objects on fire [Archive] - Wizards Community

Breath weapons and lighting objects on fire [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wal9000
04-02-07, 09:35 PM We've all see it happen in movies, and common sense would dictate that it's possible, but can breath weapons in D&D be used to ignite flammable objects?

I'm aware that some spells specifically state that they light combustibles and that breath weapons lack that text, but it seems odd that I'd be able to completely incinerate a torch while being completely unable to light it on fire. Same goes for campfires, oil flasks, wood doors, pieces of paper, et cetera.

(And yes, I know that this isn't exactly magic or spells, but it seems to fit here better than anywhere else.)
Yokomohoyo
04-03-07, 01:35 AM Honestly I have used it as a flavor on my half dragon sorc. But since the discription of it lacks the wording that it dose, you would have to clear it with your DM. Normaly the DM would allow it just for flavor.
Lixith
04-03-07, 02:52 AM Good question..... I'd say sure it can, to a point. I'd say if a cart of linnen happened to be in the line of fire... it's toasted. A cart of weapons.... no effect... even if they are wooden handeled.
A keg of lamp oil..... hummmm..... interesting.... but ya....BOOM!
I'd say it's a play it buy ear.... obvious sense kinda thing...
groveborn
04-03-07, 04:46 AM I don't know of a good rule in any of the books, though there likely is a passing reference. I'd say if the fire does enough damage to overcome the object's hardness without doing more damage to it than it can withstand, it should catch fire. If the fire does more damage than the object has hit points, it should be ash. I don't know if there should be a half damage to objects rule in there anywhere.
Kouk
04-04-07, 03:12 AM In the DMG there is a rule that instantaneous fire effects don't usually set things on fire. It's like how you can wave your hand through a candle flame and not get burned unless you held it there longer. Of course, that doesn't make any sense as to why you still manage to take damage from instantaneous fire yourself in the game, but the rule is there for objects.

If the breath weapon can go on for a full round, or two rounds etc it wouldn't be instantaneous anymore.
Naderion
04-04-07, 06:20 AM The Fireball spell is very clear there: "The fireball sets fire to combustiles and damages objects in the area. It can melt metal with low melting points, such as lead, gold, copper, silver and bronze."

Breath weapons are magical too, so I would apply this to all of them, even those that are not fire.
To set something on fire with an instantaneous blast of normal fire, you'd need something (most likely liquid) that keeps burning for some seconds until your target starts burning by itself.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wal9000 04-02-07, 09:35 PM	We've all see it happen in movies, and common sense would dictate that it's possible, but can breath weapons in D&D be used to ignite flammable objects? I'm aware that some spells specifically state that they light combustibles and that breath weapons lack that text, but it seems odd that I'd be able to completely incinerate a torch while being completely unable to light it on fire. Same goes for campfires, oil flasks, wood doors, pieces of paper, et cetera. (And yes, I know that this isn't exactly magic or spells, but it seems to fit here better than anywhere else.)
Yokomohoyo 04-03-07, 01:35 AM	Honestly I have used it as a flavor on my half dragon sorc. But since the discription of it lacks the wording that it dose, you would have to clear it with your DM. Normaly the DM would allow it just for flavor.
Lixith 04-03-07, 02:52 AM	Good question..... I'd say sure it can, to a point. I'd say if a cart of linnen happened to be in the line of fire... it's toasted. A cart of weapons.... no effect... even if they are wooden handeled. A keg of lamp oil..... hummmm..... interesting.... but ya....BOOM! I'd say it's a play it buy ear.... obvious sense kinda thing...
groveborn 04-03-07, 04:46 AM	I don't know of a good rule in any of the books, though there likely is a passing reference. I'd say if the fire does enough damage to overcome the object's hardness without doing more damage to it than it can withstand, it should catch fire. If the fire does more damage than the object has hit points, it should be ash. I don't know if there should be a half damage to objects rule in there anywhere.
Kouk 04-04-07, 03:12 AM	In the DMG there is a rule that instantaneous fire effects don't usually set things on fire. It's like how you can wave your hand through a candle flame and not get burned unless you held it there longer. Of course, that doesn't make any sense as to why you still manage to take damage from instantaneous fire yourself in the game, but the rule is there for objects. If the breath weapon can go on for a full round, or two rounds etc it wouldn't be instantaneous anymore.
Naderion 04-04-07, 06:20 AM	The Fireball spell is very clear there: "The fireball sets fire to combustiles and damages objects in the area. It can melt metal with low melting points, such as lead, gold, copper, silver and bronze." Breath weapons are magical too, so I would apply this to all of them, even those that are not fire. To set something on fire with an instantaneous blast of normal fire, you'd need something (most likely liquid) that keeps burning for some seconds until your target starts burning by itself.