Blade Barrier

[Janos Antero]

We ran Flaming Sphere that it only damages when it first impacts a creature. Although the issue did come up in our group about the damage, our logic was based on the simple fact it had such a long duration and good damage (even though it's reflex none), that the only way to keep it in line with most other 2nd level spells was to make it when it impacted only, not from sharing a square.

 

[Hypersmurf]

... but based on the simple fact it had such a long duration and good damage...

... and the text of the spell description...

-Hyp.

 

[Janos Antero]

Heh yeah that too Mr. Smarmy pants!

 

[Caliban]

Huh. I DM a sorcerer who throws a lot of Flaming Spheres.

By my reading, the Sphere deals damage when it moves into a square with a creature and stops. If the sorcerer doesn't cause it to attack a creature in a given round, it doesn't deal any damage.

So, you can automatically avoid this 6' diameter ball of flame in your 5' square.

Interesting. That doesn't seem to be a reasonable interpretation at all, to me.

Every once in awhile you have to use the dreaded "common sense" when interpreting spell effects.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Every once in awhile you have to use the dreaded "common sense" when interpreting spell effects.

Common sense, to interpret the effect of the spell by the rules, tells me to assume that the caster expends an MEA to cause the Sphere to 'flare' in a way that causes damage.

No, there's nothing about flaring in the spell description. But that's purely a flavour/imagery thing. Having the spell deal damage while the sorcerer ignores it is changing the rules mechanics of the spell. Imagery has no effect on game balance, extra damage does.

-Hyp.

 

[Wormwood]

I guess I just interpret both spells differently.

In the case of a Blade Barrier, it does damage to anyone foolish enough to be within it (damage being dealt on their turn, presumably). That's why your Reflex save specifically indicates that you MUST leave to avoid damage---if you don't make the save, you didn't leave in time and you get the damage from sitting within the disc.

As for Flaming Sphere, "If it enters a space with a creature, it stops moving for the round and deals 2d6 points of fire damage to that creature."

The fact that it stops moving before dealing damage clearly indicates that no further 'aiming' is required---you just have to hit a 5' square (with a 6' globe). That square is effectively on fire, doing continuous damage to anyone inside of it.