Speaking of Fireballs....

[Judas]

I was just wondering what other people have envisioned as what Fireball should be; the effects, etc... I myself have always been under the impression it was an explosion with concussive force. As the PHB states, it's not. Fire just spreads from the focal point and rolls around corners if need be.

Here's my idea of an alternate fireball

Concussive Fireball
Evocation, Wiz3, Sor3
Details same as the Fireball spell, except where noted
Area of effect: 20ft radius Burst
Save: Ref for half, Ref for standing

Description: A small "pellet" of fire is cast at an area where it detonates upon arrival, or prematurely if an object intercepts it before the pellet reaches it's intended destination. Upon detonation, a wave of heat and concussive force bursts out in all directions for 20ft.

Damage for CF is 1d6 fire damage and 1d6 sonic damage for every TWO levels of caster to a maximum of 5d6 fire and 5d6 sonic. Reflex save for half damage, plus a reflex save to remain standing or be thrown to the ground 5' back from current position.

Just playing with ideas.. Yes I realize a wiz5 would be casting a 4d6 CF instead of the 5d6 with the normal FBall. But this is designed purposely to help with pc's/npc's that have endure elements/resistance.

Thoughts?

 

[Jeph]

The way I'd do it:

First, have it simply deal 1d6 per level. Half damage is Fire, half damage is Sonic.

Only one save. Two takes more time. If the save succeeds, half damage. if the save fails, full damage and you get thrown back 5 feet and are knocked prone.

Now, to compensate for the knockback, either increase the spell level by one, or decrease the Range to Medium and the Radius to 15'. I'd increase the spell level, there are few enough good 4th level evocations as is.

EDIT: Actually, I think that 1d4 fire per level, and 1 sonic per level, would work better than the 50/50 split, as most of the damage would come from fire.