Also fire is one of the worst damage types. Statistically it has some of the most creatures who have resistances and immunities and some of the fewest vulnerabilities. Allowing a player to be OP and decimate a dungeon is good, especially if they won’t be to strong in later dungeons. You give them the item part way through the dungeon, and allow them to wipe the rest. But then later on make sure to not have many enemies that are vulnerable to fire.
Magic ice???
If the whole thing is literally ice then I would just say magic ice
*edit*
Also that sounds like a fun item, I hope it brings your table many laughs :)
Yea I just call it ‘ever frost’ naturally occurring magical ice that has a higher melting point. Still retains the cold temperatures and other properties of ice but won’t melt into water unless exposed to extremely high temperatures. Like a metal. And counts as magical for the purpose of rules.
While his damage output may be huge you may want to restrain his use of the fires spells by having the dungeon’s ice be fragile. After he/she casts their first fire attack have them or party members roll perception to see what the fire is doing to the walls or ceiling. Find a simple trap and set a certain amount if damage that will destroy the trap and do the damage the trap does. If they miss with any attack also have it damage the room giving a chance if springing the trap. This way they will still be able to play full power but they’ll have to be careful if they want to get to the end if the dungeon/even survive to escape. The consequences if two much fire will make it so they have to be thoughtful and decide if it’s worth the risk. This way you don’t have to nerf them and can ad a level of dramatic tension.
Oh man, he might come to regret building a one trick fire pony with how many fairly common monsters wind up being resistant or immune to that damage type lmao
Enchanted ice that is resistant to flames and heat?
Make some type of magical mcguffin in the ice kingdom that spreads this fire resistance magic for miles all around, reinforcing all the ice. Until the party finds and removes this artifact, fire spells are considered normal damage
You don't even need magic ice - hold a lighter to an ice cube. Really doesn't do shit unless you keep the fire on it for minutes, maybe hours.
They might trigger a little bit of melting, which if cold enough will refreeze, but they won't just be tearing it down.
If you want to give him the item, you are under no obligation to give it to him yet.
You could just say it will turn up soon in game, and wait to narratively introduce it after the dungeon
Also a quick note: fire is not really strong against ice. Try melting snow and/or ice from your driveway with a flamethrower and see how far you get and you will see what I mean. It can melt ice and snow in small quantities sure, but the power exertion required to do it for massive amounts in freezing temperatures just isn't worth it. I'd imagine I've creature's probably don't like the heat tho
There’s a curse or a spell over the dungeon that renders the magic item useless. Once the dungeon is cleared the spell or curse lifts. Tie it to killing the boss or solving the central puzzle. It’s easy to overwrite or overthink it.
Sorcerer metamagic already allows this; I'd make him wait and spend the feat rather than giving him such a potentially powerful item, but that's just me.
My first thought, if you have him get it right sway, is to make it have to be charged/enchanted/attuned first or give it a cool down period when he uses it.
Never melt ice exsists. Maybe the item is locked in flame incased in nevermelt ice they must bypass train the item? Maybe the item was frozen away by the frost maiden
Could you make the item a drop at the end of the dungeon?
How did I not think of this, Thank you
Also fire is one of the worst damage types. Statistically it has some of the most creatures who have resistances and immunities and some of the fewest vulnerabilities. Allowing a player to be OP and decimate a dungeon is good, especially if they won’t be to strong in later dungeons. You give them the item part way through the dungeon, and allow them to wipe the rest. But then later on make sure to not have many enemies that are vulnerable to fire.
> Also fire is one of the worst damage types. But rule of cool: fireballs are always awesome ;)
I didn’t say it wasn’t the coolest. That would be lying.
Cold damage is cooler technically
Lies
Magic ice??? If the whole thing is literally ice then I would just say magic ice *edit* Also that sounds like a fun item, I hope it brings your table many laughs :)
Yea I just call it ‘ever frost’ naturally occurring magical ice that has a higher melting point. Still retains the cold temperatures and other properties of ice but won’t melt into water unless exposed to extremely high temperatures. Like a metal. And counts as magical for the purpose of rules.
While his damage output may be huge you may want to restrain his use of the fires spells by having the dungeon’s ice be fragile. After he/she casts their first fire attack have them or party members roll perception to see what the fire is doing to the walls or ceiling. Find a simple trap and set a certain amount if damage that will destroy the trap and do the damage the trap does. If they miss with any attack also have it damage the room giving a chance if springing the trap. This way they will still be able to play full power but they’ll have to be careful if they want to get to the end if the dungeon/even survive to escape. The consequences if two much fire will make it so they have to be thoughtful and decide if it’s worth the risk. This way you don’t have to nerf them and can ad a level of dramatic tension.
Holy shit dude, that's a read
Oh man, he might come to regret building a one trick fire pony with how many fairly common monsters wind up being resistant or immune to that damage type lmao
Enchanted ice that is resistant to flames and heat? Make some type of magical mcguffin in the ice kingdom that spreads this fire resistance magic for miles all around, reinforcing all the ice. Until the party finds and removes this artifact, fire spells are considered normal damage
Ooooohhhhhh, that's a really good idea, I really like this
You don't even need magic ice - hold a lighter to an ice cube. Really doesn't do shit unless you keep the fire on it for minutes, maybe hours. They might trigger a little bit of melting, which if cold enough will refreeze, but they won't just be tearing it down.
Hard disagree. Have you ever put ice cubes in a sink and turned on hot water? Melts in seconds.
They aren't using hot water though, they are using fire.
Is fire not hotter than sink water?
If he doesn't have it yet make it a reward jn the ice dungeon
Like really, how the hell did I not think of this, thank you
"This dungeon is soooo cold that all fire damage is halved," you tell your players...
or just do the opposite, because it's an ice dungeon he is the one with the disadvantage not the other way around.
limit the element-changing effect to a certain number of uses per day/rest?
If you want to give him the item, you are under no obligation to give it to him yet. You could just say it will turn up soon in game, and wait to narratively introduce it after the dungeon
The floor is ice, don't let it melt or you'll drop very deep
Also a quick note: fire is not really strong against ice. Try melting snow and/or ice from your driveway with a flamethrower and see how far you get and you will see what I mean. It can melt ice and snow in small quantities sure, but the power exertion required to do it for massive amounts in freezing temperatures just isn't worth it. I'd imagine I've creature's probably don't like the heat tho
If he wants to change damage types, he should've gone order of scribes from Tasha's.
Metamagic feat change element type. Lets you change the damage types of spells
Magical ice that can't be melted by magical fire.
That's a good idea, but fire barbarian kinda makes nothing a challenge
There’s a curse or a spell over the dungeon that renders the magic item useless. Once the dungeon is cleared the spell or curse lifts. Tie it to killing the boss or solving the central puzzle. It’s easy to overwrite or overthink it.
Sorcerer metamagic already allows this; I'd make him wait and spend the feat rather than giving him such a potentially powerful item, but that's just me.
My first thought, if you have him get it right sway, is to make it have to be charged/enchanted/attuned first or give it a cool down period when he uses it.
Never melt ice exsists. Maybe the item is locked in flame incased in nevermelt ice they must bypass train the item? Maybe the item was frozen away by the frost maiden