Fireball - are effects 3 dimensional?

[Some call me Tim]

Someone please answer a question for me. The fireball spell is described as having a 20' radius. Does the spell affect a volume (meaning is the fireball actually a sphere)?

My DM contends that it is not because no height component is given in the description as is given for the cylindrical effect of the Flame Strike spell.

I disagree because the name Fireball seems to imply a spherical explosion. It doesn't make sense to me that the effect would be on a plane.

This discussion came about when I stated that I wanted to target the fireball several feet over the target's head to minimize the chance of hitting a member of my party en route.

If I'm wrong, I'd like to know it. But if I'm right, I'd like to have additional opinions to use to try to convince the DM.

Thanks in advance

 

[Tellerve]

ball...that is inherently a 3 dimensional aspect, otherwise the spell would be called firedisc.

Tellerve

 

[maybeso]

SRD
(from the spell discription)
Fireball
Evocation [Fire]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: 20-ft.-radius spread

(from the magic overview section)
Spread: Some spells spread out like a burst but can turn corners. The character selects the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure distance by actual distance traveled, taking into account turns the spell effect takes.
/SRD (bolding mine)

That's all I can find. I think that "in all directions" is pretty clear, but it's not as clear as I would like...

 

[kreynolds]

What Tellerve said.

 

[andargor]

What Tellerve said.

Maybeso gets a Laudable Effort Award.

Andargor

 

[Destil]

Spreads and bursts are 3D by nature. Of course fireball has volume. 3300 cubic feet. Everyone knows that.

 

[hoyerhan]

Spreads and bursts are 3D by nature. Of course fireball has volume. 3300 cubic feet. Everyone knows that.

Volume = 4/3*pi*r^3=4/3*3.14*20^3 ft^3 = 33 510.3 cubic feet

 

[Destil]

Yep. 33 10 foot x 10 foot x 10 foot cubes.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yep. 33 10 foot x 10 foot x 10 foot cubes.

10x10x10 is 1000, hence 33000, rather than 3300... as hoyerhan points out.

-Hyp.

 

[The Blue Elf]

SRD
(from the spell discription)
Fireball
Evocation [Fire]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: 20-ft.-radius spread

(from the magic overview section)
Spread: Some spells spread out like a burst but can turn corners. The character selects the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure distance by actual distance traveled, taking into account turns the spell effect takes.
/SRD (bolding mine)

That's all I can find. I think that "in all directions" is pretty clear, but it's not as clear as I would like...

But it also saids "You point your finger determine the range ( distances and hight) at which a fireball is to burst." which if he faced a some kind of moster with flying or lager size or higher he could had done it.