[Magic] No Mana Zones between caster and subject.

[jeff_wilson]

Originally Posted by Jerander

I'd question whether most of these are "real" balls. Fireball, in particular, is problematic. What holds it in shape? What does it burn?

The answer is in the FAQ of all places:

Originally Posted by 4E FAQ

4.3 Missile Spells
4.3.1 What exactly is a fireball?

According to Steve, an orange-sized bolt of magical force that hits like a bullet and which quickly vanishes in a blast of fire on impact, detonating any flammables it actually strikes.

What temperature is a Fireball?

About 300 degrees centigrade (570 degrees Fahrenheit).

What kinds of wounds does a Fireball cause?

It is largely an impact weapon; a baseball-sized bolt of pure magical force. This is why it's damage is stopped by the DR of the location hit. It is hot, and it does vanish in a gout of flame when it hits the target, but that's more of a special effect than its primary mode of doing damage.

Not as hot as I thought, but still respectable.

[talonthehand]

Originally Posted by Jasonft

How about letting the caster choose the path the spell takes as mentioned in the one post above? Makes sense to me, even for Missile spells. The range to target is figured along the path the caster chooses, and if they unknowingly have the spell cross through a No Mana hex then the spell dissipates.

Wouldn't that essentially be the same as adding the Guided enhancement to the spell? If so, then the rules for it already exist (Adjustable Spells - Thaumatology 39), though it'd be at a hefty -10 to skill +10 to cost (I believe). Though a technique can buy off the skill penalty.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by jeff_wilson

The answer is in the FAQ of all places:


Not as hot as I thought, but still respectable.

Although this is an old answer, when 3d was as high as that fireball got. In the "modern era" where 9d fireballs are possible (and higher!) I have no problem with 800 or 1200 or 1600 degree (F) fireballs for the bigger ones. It's got to do that damage somehow...

[Not another shrubbery]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Although this is an old answer, when 3d was as high as that fireball got. In the "modern era" where 9d fireballs are possible (and higher!) I have no problem with 800 or 1200 or 1600 degree (F) fireballs for the bigger ones. It's got to do that damage somehow...

Since they are still supposed to be impact weapons, I've assumed that the damage differences were more a matter of size.