Lava question

[VultorDaer]

Hello, long time lurker, short time poster here ^.^

I had a quick question, I am not sure if this is known or been addressed else where already (please forgive me if it has) I am designing a new setting my for game.

I wanted to have an area that had volcanos and springs of lava, is there a set damage like in the past for lava or is this something the DM should come up with,

additionally things like geysers and other natural threats that I may want to place within some battle fields, are these handled like traps?

Thank you for your time

-Vultor Daer

 

[Mort_Q]

I think someone here said that falling into lava is instant death... I've not seen the rules.

I'd do pyroclasts as traps.

 

[Kunimatyu]

If you fall into lava, you die. No save.

 

[HenryBlatbugIII]

If you fall into lava, you die. No save.

Actually, rules for damage from lava aren't given in the books. (except that the Fire Titan has a Hurl Lava attack and the Magma Claw has a Spew Lava attack). It is, however, mentioned that lava gives off bright light.

Even if you do choose to have lava automatically kill things (which is definitely realistic and probably cinematic) there's a save to avoid falling into the lava in the first place:

Targets forced into hindering terrain receive a saving throw immediately before entering the unsafe square they are forced into. Success leaves the target prone at the edge of the square before entering the unsafe square.

 

[Obryn]

Actually, rules for damage from lava aren't given in the books. (except that the Fire Titan has a Hurl Lava attack and the Magma Claw has a Spew Lava attack). It is, however, mentioned that lava gives off bright light.

Even if you do choose to have lava automatically kill things (which is definitely realistic and probably cinematic) there's a save to avoid falling into the lava in the first place:

http://www.lavarules.com/

-O

 

[rvalle]

You know, I was talking to a friend about this.

With 4th Ed's shifting, how are locations like Volcanoes, swinging bridges, narrow ledges on a cliff side, ect, ect, going to be?

Besides deadly. "I shift the uber bad guy 3 spaces that way right into the river of lava".

And if bad guys get to shift the heroes!? No save, instant kill.

Will this be better or worse? More drama and tension or too deadly to use except in very, very rare cases?

rv

 

[MindWanderer]

One of the playtest sessions (where Oleander died) used lava, and it was not an instant kill. In general, insta-kills are a really bad idea.

 

[Ktulu]

Badguy gets an immediate save (10+ succeeds, 9- fails) on falling over an edge if pushed/pulled/slid/or bullrushed. If he has a bonus to saves (like many of the bigger, badder, solo creatures do) then he's less likely to fail.

Ktulu

 

[Szatany]

Badguy gets an immediate save (10+ succeeds, 9- fails) on falling over an edge if pushed/pulled/slid/or bullrushed. If he has a bonus to saves (like many of the bigger, badder, solo creatures do) then he's less likely to fail.

Ktulu

Plus, you can make an Athletics check when falling to cling to a nearby surface. In lava area I'd allow each falling character a final and cinematic chance to save themselves this way.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

If you fall into lava, you die. No save.

This is 4E.

Rule #1. If you fall into lava, you die. Save ends.

Rule #2. If you're being pushed into lava, you get a save to fall prone at the edge. If you fail the save, see rule #1.