Ice Damage Underwater

[Tetsubo]

On a related note, are there any spells for purposely *making* ice?

I'm thinking that ice production, especially in a warm climate, would be a real money maker...

 

[shilsen]

Then so is the existance of ice.

Yup.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Aren't there rules for ice in Frostburn?

Cheers, -- N

Yup... well, kinda

Natural or magical cold can instantly freeze water. Likewise, natural flames and magical fire from spells and magic items can instantly thaw ice..

It goes on to state that every 10 points of fire damage converts one cubic foot of ice to water. {page 11}

Oddly enough, it doesn't state the opposite... but I would be good with each 10 points of Cold damage converting one cubic foot of ice to water.
Since this is looking purely at a square block instead of a layer of ice.. I would think a Cone of Cold would result in a thin sheet of ice. For ease of use, I would probably go with 1" thickness per 10 points of damage.. meaning you would need at least 60 points of damage to ice over a lake enough for a Medium size critter to safely walk on it. {table of 'safe' ice thickness is on the same page}

Underwater casting could create a fragile ice crystal lattice in the area of effect... cool to look at and maybe a small concealment effect, but no real mechanical changes.

 

[Aleolus]

I remember my brother-in-law telling me about a time he was running a campaign. This particular portion was underwater, and the party was fleeing from Sahaugin and their attack sharks. The caster paused in his fleeing to cast Wall of Ice behind them. Apparently that was a very good idea, because the wall was invisible underwater. The Sahaugin ran into the wall, stopping their progress right there, then the sharks ran into the Sahaugin, and so forth. He had never seen Wall of Ice used that effectively before.

 

[Nifft]

Ice in the SRD. So it's not a house rule, and there is a recipe spell to make it.

Cheers, -- N

 

[darthkilmor]

I remember my brother-in-law telling me about a time he was running a campaign. This particular portion was underwater, and the party was fleeing from Sahaugin and their attack sharks. The caster paused in his fleeing to cast Wall of Ice behind them. Apparently that was a very good idea, because the wall was invisible underwater. The Sahaugin ran into the wall, stopping their progress right there, then the sharks ran into the Sahaugin, and so forth. He had never seen Wall of Ice used that effectively before.

Indeed, shouldnt the ice have floated to the surface ? :O (disregard if this was in an underwater cave or what have you).

 

[HellHound]

I say any amount of cold damage underwater freezes the area affected solid. Those who failed thier reflex saves are entombed in ice, those who make it are shunted to the neares non frozen square. If the effect did not give a reflex save in the first place, one may be attempted at DC the effect would have had.

That seems pretty harsh for a level 0 spell to me.

 

[frankthedm]

That seems pretty harsh for a level 0 spell to me.

Rays don't effect an area.