D&D 5E Theory of ICE STORM: A Scholarly Discussion

[Krachek]

When law of magic and law of physic enter in conflict, apply law of magic.

 

[jrowland]

Considering ice storm is Evocation and sleet storm is Conjuration, I would chalk it up to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think a lot of the "confusion" is the spell names themselves. There is no "IUPAC" nomenclature for spells.

Ice Storm might be better as "Hailstone Swarm" (like metor swarm) since it is an evocation - it brings forth hailstones from 'nothing' (well, from magical energy). If the spell changed the weather to a literal ice storm, it would be transmutation. If it brought forth (called) an ice storm into being from "elsewhere" (the para-elemental plane of ice, Stygia, the north pole, etc) it would be conjuration.

Sleet Storm might be better named as "Create Sleet" since it is a conjuration.

Whats difference between conjuring ice and creating it from nothing? In these cases, a conjured Ice Storm (hail storm really) has a kinetic component that can't be contained in conjuration. Sleet storm brings forth a literal sleet storm, albeit very intense, but sleet isn't damaging in and of itself.

A conjured effect like sleet storm could be used as a basis for a real weather sleet storm mechanical (game) effects.

An invoked effect like Ice Storm is not appropriate to model game effects. It is nothing like a literal ice storm.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

Citations needed, APA or Harvard style!