Web and fireball combo

[Dykstrav]

The description of the web spell says that creatures caught in flaming webs take 2d4 fire damage. So if a spellcaster laid down a web and then a fireball, would that cause critters stuck in the web's area of effect to take an extra 2d4 fire damage?

 

[Cedric]

I'd say yes

 

[BlueBlackRed]

Yes, and I'd probably throw a save penalty for the Fireball to anyone actually stuck in the web due to their inability to move. Probably -2 or just loss of dex bonus.

 

[starwed]

I'd probably throw a save penalty for the Fireball to anyone actually stuck in the web due to their inability to move.

That's already taken care of; being entangled gives a -4 penalty to Dex.

 

[Dykstrav]

Yep, it's kinda surprisng to me how many people that don't know that 'entangled' in the web description is actually a status effect. Penalizes attacks, movement, Dexterity and prompts Concentration checks. It's actually just about the best spell for 2nd level in alot of ways... Maybe a bit too good. It's one of the reasons I think conjurers are probably the strongest specialist wizards in the core game. Alot of people overlook conjuration spells because it's perceived as being limited to summon monster spells.

Ever webbed a corridor full of critters and nicked them to death with magic missiles and acid splashes? It's a thing of beauty that the characters in my next campaign will get to meet. The first big villain they're going to be fighting is a 5th-level conjurer/1st-level binder.

 

[KarinsDad]

That's already taken care of; being entangled gives a -4 penalty to Dex.

Almost.

Web provides cover. So, a Fireball should ignite within 5 feet of the edge of a Web (since it ignites if it hits something solid, best case the DM could rule that a Web requires a to hit roll for the Fireball bead to get into a narrow passage to put it deeper into a Web).

In any case, the entangled character gets the -4 to Dex (-2 to Reflex saves) for being Entangled, but also gets a +2 to the Reflex save due to the cover bonus.

Net gain: +0 to the save.

 

[Magus Coeruleus]

Almost.

Web provides cover. So, a Fireball should ignite within 5 feet of the edge of a Web (since it ignites if it hits something solid, best case the DM could rule that a Web requires a to hit roll for the Fireball bead to get into a narrow passage to put it deeper into a Web).

In any case, the entangled character gets the -4 to Dex (-2 to Reflex saves) for being Entangled, but also gets a +2 to the Reflex save due to the cover bonus.

Net gain: +0 to the save.

Good point. I suppose a DM could argue, however, that the Web doesn't actually provide cover against a fireball because it is guaranteed to burn up, just as a door doesn't provide cover against a Lightning Bolt if said bolt destroys it, passing through to fry someone on the other side. I'd say the best a Web could do in defense against a Fireball is cause it to detonate at the edge of the Web or not far into it, so that its area fails to include someone toward the far end of the Web.

 

[Dykstrav]

These are some good points, especially since fireball specifically mentions having to 'hit' narrow openings to avoid early impacts.

So how about a lightning bolt? That spell description specifically mentions that it sets fire to combustibles. So would a lightning bolt also prompt the extra 2d4 fire damage, but clear a swath through the web and set fire to the rest of it?

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Good point about the cover.

As a practical matter a 5' cube of Web has 0 Hardness & 0 Hit Points when it comes to fire-based attacks.

 

[Darklone]

Usually it's not a big problem to catch people in a web and put the fireball explosion above them.

Web provides cover ... cover gives a bonus to reflex saves... so it equals out but I don't think it actually helps you against the damage? See below.

So yes, you catch them in the web. No they aren't easier to hit (+2 Refl due to cover and -4 to dex). Yes, they take fireball damage and yes they take fire damage from the web since the fireball description says it damages objects and the web description says fire damage puts it easily on fire.

Cover and Reflex Saves

Cover grants you a +2 bonus on Reflex saves against attacks that originate or burst out from a point on the other side of the cover from you. Note that spread effects can extend around corners and thus negate this cover bonus.