D&D General D&D isn't a simulation game, so what is???

[DND_Reborn]

Keeping yourself from inhaling smoke and superheated gas would be pretty important.

Sure, but why I you standing there with your mouth open???

And like I said, you could cover "vitals" (face or whatever) for a DEX save, but would that really be half damage if you are still in the same spot, surrounded by fire which is cooking and blistering your skin, etc.?

 

[Vaalingrade]

Sure, but why I you standing there with your mouth open???

Horrifying fact: In fiery explosions, the fire sucks all the air into itself, creating a vacuum that will try to pull the air out of your face, causing you to react by breathing in sharply, introducing your insides to the BBQ.

And like I said, you could cover "vitals" (face or whatever) for a DEX save, but would that really be half damage if you are still in the same spot, surrounded by fire which is cooking and blistering your skin, etc.?

Duck and cover reduces how much surface you are presenting to direct heat.

 

[Micah Sweet]

But that's you. I never could take any edition of D&D seriously in a simulationist sense. They produced too many nonsensical results when viewed through that lens. Current versions aren't any easier but they aren't notably harder, either.

Do you like simulation in your gaming, or are you more inclined to a different approach?

 

[DND_Reborn]

Horrifying fact: In fiery explosions, the fire sucks all the air into itself, creating a vacuum that will try to pull the air out of your face, causing you to react by breathing in sharply, introducing your insides to the BBQ.

Duck and cover reduces how much surface you are presenting to direct heat.

Again, I get all that, but you are still in the same spot, surrounded by flames. Anything in the area that can burn, will burn, and you're still in the same spot.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Again, I get all that, but you are still in the same spot, surrounded by flames. Anything in the area that can burn, will burn, and you're still in the same spot.

You took half HP damage on a successful save because you protected yourself. That's... just it.

Considering how fireball is just a flash with no concussive blast and does not radiate out of its sphere, there's not a lot actually burning you except for the unattended objects it magically ignites.

 

[beancounter]

A couple of thoughts -

I agree with the philosophy that fun > realism.

Flying doesn't bother me. Geometry is easy.

 

[Thomas Shey]

Frankly, since we got on this topic, the concept of the "save", especially DEX, has always bothered me unless the environment supports a place to find cover or actually moving out of the fireball (for instance). So, what does the save really represent? I mean, you could "cover up" your face or vital regions as best as you can, but you are still (since you don't actually move) in the same spot, surrounded by fire...

I can get CON, INT, WIS, and CHA for the most part in their application, and even STR often isn't too bad, but DEX in area of effects sort of miffs me a lot.

Its a style conceit; the sort of thing you see in movies where an explosion goes off and people hurl themselves to the side or come running out if not. You're not required to like it, but that's pretty clearly what it is.

 

[Thomas Shey]

Do you like simulation in your gaming, or are you more inclined to a different approach?

Do you want the answer now, or when I was younger? They're quite different.

 

[Cadence]

Considering how fireball is just a flash with no concussive blast and does not radiate out of its sphere, there's not a lot actually burning you except for the unattended objects it magically ignites.

"The society of evil fire mages plan to destroy all the books in the local library came to an abrupt halt on Monday. The friends of the library society bought the librarians giant multi-pocketed cloaks to wear the books in, and hired two clerics to cast healing word from their hiding places a floor up."

 

[Krachek]

Mastery of geometry is the base of magic in some culture!