Flaming Sphere questions

[Drake M]

Several questions about flaming sphere:


A.) Does flaming sphere start where you are, then move down to where the target square is, or does it appear in the target square?


B.) "As part of this movement, it can ascend or jump up to 30 feet to strike a target." -- SRD
If the sphere is widen spell-ed, can it be put into the air, then dropped on a 10ft by 10ft area that contains several creatures and damage them all?

C.) I have already been told by the WotC website that you do not need to concentrate on, command, or otherwise interact with the sphere to keep it in existence.
Therefore, can you:
1st round: summon a flaming sphere (standard action), direct it (move action).
2nd round: summon a second flaming sphere(standard action), direct the first one (move action)
3rd round: Direct the first sphere (move action), direct the second sphere (substituting standard action for move action)

 

[Dandu]

The sphere appears wherever you designate within the spell range.

Widen spell does not seem like it would work on the spell, since it only affects a burst, emanation, line, or spread shaped spell.

 

[Drake M]

The sphere appears wherever you designate within the spell range.

Widen spell does not seem like it would work on the spell, since it only affects a burst, emanation, line, or spread shaped spell.

Well that definitely answers A and B, thanks.

 

[coyote6]

The answer to C is yes. You could even continue to cast the spell, creating more balls o' fire, but you'd only be able to move two per round with the regular allocation of actions. If you had a wand or were a sorcerer, you could set up a kind of poor man's wall of fire.

 

[Drake M]

The answer to C is yes. You could even continue to cast the spell, creating more balls o' fire, but you'd only be able to move two per round with the regular allocation of actions. If you had a wand or were a sorcerer, you could set up a kind of poor man's wall of fire.

Thanks, that covers C.

But raises a "D"

You say that as though it wouldn't work for a druid or wizard, who could also cast the spell. Just wording, or would it only work for sorcerers/why?

 

[Volcarthe]

because a sorcerer or wand has the output to drop many of them.

prepared spellcasters likely would not prepare that many of that spell.

 

[Drake M]

because a sorcerer or wand has the output to drop many of them.

prepared spellcasters likely would not prepare that many of that spell.

kk, so possible, but not likely unless planned in advance.

 

[Dandu]

Thanks, that covers C.

But raises a "D"

You say that as though it wouldn't work for a druid or wizard, who could also cast the spell. Just wording, or would it only work for sorcerers/why?

They don't get quite the same volume of spells.

 

[coyote6]

Yeah, it's about volume. I don't think flaming sphere is that great a spell, that it would be worthwhile for a druid or wizard to prepare a bunch of them. The Ref save for no damage component means that a somewhat lucky (or agile) opponent can be awfully disappointing for the spellcaster. There are other 2nd level spells they could prepare, y'know?

Maybe if a lowish level druid or wizard knew they would be fighting nothing but oozes -- things with lousy Reflex saves, plenty of immunities, and plenty of hp. Kind of a specialized situation, though.