Stacking fire and ice magical effects for weapons.

[Black Omega]

This question came up in my last game. A PC has a bow with the frost effect that adds 1d6. The new flame arrow lets you create 50 arrows with the fire effect that adds 1d6. Technically, by the letter of the rules, this seems to stack, but would you let it?

Common sense seems to suggest the fire and frost should cancel each other. But the rules don't make any mention of this. What would you do for stacking conflicting energy types?

 

[eryndel]

I would probably let it stack. I've seen stats on flaming-shocking, icy-corrosive, and all other sorts of diablo-esque weapons that I don't see why fire and ice should cancel other then flavor.

It's magic. Something upon impact just unleashes a fire and a cold effect. Works for me.

 

[kreynolds]

Technically, by the letter of the rules, this seems to stack, but would you let it?

Yes.

Common sense seems to suggest the fire and frost should cancel each other. But the rules don't make any mention of this. What would you do for stacking conflicting energy types?

I'd let them stack. It's magic.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I see "fire" and "ice" as nothing more than flavor text. D&D has five elemental damage types, but their actual names are nothing more than flavor. They may as well be Element1, Element2, Element3, Element4, and Element5. Each stacks, some of them cancel out others, but besides that it's all in the description.

That said, I've played a PC with a flaming, icy weapon. I referred to it as a blackfire enchantment, shadowy flames that were so cold they burned. I'm sure others could come up with similar descriptions, or other takes on how the two might combine. Perhaps the flame and ice swirl around each other but do not touch, like opposing streams of magnetic force. Perhaps one side of the blade is cherry-red and burns, while the other side of the blade is icy-white. Etc. etc.

It's flavor text. If it doesn't make sense to you, change it so that it does.

 

[DM2]

I would definitely allow it. As per Pendragon's post, there are many ways to sprinkle in some flavor.

DM2

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

The rules permit it, I wouldn't.

My my... 500 posts... time to change nick once more.

TS

 

[Blood Jester]

What? You never got a freeze-burn from dry ice?

Let 'em stack.

 

[Bauglir]

If you think hard enough you can come up with a reason why just about anything doesn't stack.

Let em stack..

 

[Magic Slim]

Freeze "Burn" is just an expression. Although it feels akin to burning, there is no actual burning going on (I'm sure you know that).

Like I said, the rules permit it, but I find it a little silly. Such an enchantment would look great on a double weapon, tho (1 elemental damage / head), or, as alternatives on the same weapon (ie you choose what damage you want to deal)

MS aka TS aka Maitre D

 

[Bauglir]

Every cut with the sword damages surrounding flesh. Some of it is burned, some is 'freeze-burned'. What's the problem?