Which spells cause you to catch on fire?

[Ashrem Bayle]

I think it is in the DMG where it mentions that some fire based spells can cause you to catch on fire if you fail your save.

So which ones do this? I know it specificly says that Fireball does not. What about Burning Hands? It makes sense, but would it be too powerful for a first level spell?

Flaming Sphere sounds like it definatly does.

 

[kreynolds]

Fire Orb (T&B) is the first one that comes to mind.

What about Burning Hands?

No, unless specifically stated otherwise in the spell's description. If you roll a 1 on your saving throw, then your equipment could get damaged, but you won't catch on fire.

 

[Plane Sailing]

druid flame blade "can ignite combustible materials such as parchement, straw, dry sticks and cloth".

Flame Arrow to create flaming normal projectiles will "easily ignite flammable materials or structures"

Buring Hands "flammable materials such as cloth, paper, parchement and thin wood burn if the flames touch them".

So I think there are three that could certainly set light to wizards in robes, even if they don't set the platemail fighter alight.

 

[Trine]

So I think there are three that could certainly set light to wizards in robes, even if they don't set the platemail fighter alight.

Except for the passages in the PHB that state that all of your equipment is assumed to survive a magical attack unless you roll a 1 on your save, in which case some equipment may get damaged.

 

[Saepiroth]

i think Flame Arrow should definetly set things on fire, because it's actually a pretty crappy spell otherwise; it's definetly inferior for damage, and only really valuable if you're using it to back up an archer squad in a seige or something. Even then, it's pretty mediocre.

but to answer the original question, Comedy "Combust" Option.

 

[clark411]

Magic of Faerun's Combust spell.

 

[niteshade6]

In general if the spell description doesn't say that it can light people on fire, then it doesn't light people on fire. I don't think any spells have hidden game mechanics that they don't tell you about in the description.

As for flame arrow, the reason it's bad is because it's a conjuration spell. Conjuration spells are supposed to be worse then evocation spells at doing damage.

 

[Darklone]

Hmm, the Burning hands desc states that it can light things easily? I handle it that way and it hasn't become broken yet. The spell is weak enough anyhow.

 

[Dark Dragon]

Inferno from MoF, IIRC. As does Fire Seeds (PHB).

 

[niteshade6]

Burning hands is perfectly balanced for it's level, it's an area effect damage spell that can do up to 5-20. And it's definetely clear by the rules that it does not light people on fire, since the DMG very specificaly states no instantaneous spell ever does.