D&D 3E/3.5 3.5e: Molten Strike spell & Energy Substitution

[Shin Okada]

Molten Strike spell in Heroes of Battle says,

The explosion deals 2d6 points of fire damage to every creature within the area. In addition, any creature that fails its reflex save catches fire (see. blah blah blah..) and takes an additional 1d6 points of fire damage each round until it douses the fire by succeeding on a DC 15 Reflex save.

Now, assume I apply Energy Substitution (Cold) to this spell.

It is obvious that the initial 2d6 fire damage is now 2d6 cold damage.

But what will happen to catches fire part?

A) The target will still catches fire and takes additional fire damage.
B) The target will catches, say, something like Cold fire and takes additional cold damage.
C) Some other interpretation.

What is your opinion?

 

[Binho]

Cold flames of Netherworld!

 

[Dandu]

Hypothermia.

 

[Visigani]

Thats the cool thibg about magic. You can just make up.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Obviously he switches from catching Fire to catching Cold.

Solved with Chicken Soup.

...But in seriousness, yeah, same as catching flame, but cold damage.

 

[frankthedm]

C) You substitute fire out of a spell that catches folk on fire, you lose out on catching folks on fire.

I say this because way the spell was written looks like it references the Catching on fire rules. If the spell did continuous fire damage as part of the spell and thus subject put out with dispel magic, then the substitution WOULD change that damage to cold.

 

[Empirate]

Agree 100% with Frank.

I have a similar problem with my lightning-enhanced blaster wizard. There's a tasty spell in Frostburn that freezes targets in place and, since it also does cold damage, is technically subject to Energy Substitution (electricity). However, my DM won't let the lightning sub'bed spell freeze its targets in place - which is the main selling feature, the damage is rather mediocre. I do believe my DM is fully within his rights to call shenanigans and have since abandoned my plans of taking this spell (it's a good idea to ask before spending space in your spellbook on a levelup...).

 

[Binho]

Agree 100% with Frank.

I have a similar problem with my lightning-enhanced blaster wizard. There's a tasty spell in Frostburn that freezes targets in place and, since it also does cold damage, is technically subject to Energy Substitution (electricity). However, my DM won't let the lightning sub'bed spell freeze its targets in place - which is the main selling feature, the damage is rather mediocre. I do believe my DM is fully within his rights to call shenanigans and have since abandoned my plans of taking this spell (it's a good idea to ask before spending space in your spellbook on a levelup...).

Actually, electricity is more capable of causing the foe to be immobile. When you are electrocuted, an electric current passes through your body and contracting the muscles, causing paralysis.
I do believe that magic fire causes the burning. The continuous fire damage is magic as its source. Maybe the spell says otherwise, but that's the way I think more logical.