How to model explosives?





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$begingroup$


In my campaign, there is a crazy old shopkeeper NPC who has some arcane knowledge. In preparation to defend the town against an incoming zombie horde, the party paid him to make twenty one-pound small explosive barrels. Eighteen of those barrels were used to set a trap, and the party kept two. One of my players just decided to lob one into an oil fire in front of some charging enemies, and it happened to be convenient to end the session at the apex of the arc.



I am looking for the most RAW-conformant answers to two questions:




  • How do I model the damage from the explosive? I want to treat this as thunder damage.

  • How do I model the damage from the fire, both from entry into the hazard and from splashed flaming oil?










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$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    These are two totally distinct questions, and should be asked separately. The first question is sort of addressed here: Where can I find rules for explosives or fireworks? (in terms of telling you where to look). And here: Are there any rules for damage from an explosion?. Can you confirm whether those answer your first question?
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    As for the other question, see this question: Is the oil thrown on a creature consumed when it's dealt fire damage and lit? It doesn't directly ask your question, but it references the relevant rules.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago


















14












$begingroup$


In my campaign, there is a crazy old shopkeeper NPC who has some arcane knowledge. In preparation to defend the town against an incoming zombie horde, the party paid him to make twenty one-pound small explosive barrels. Eighteen of those barrels were used to set a trap, and the party kept two. One of my players just decided to lob one into an oil fire in front of some charging enemies, and it happened to be convenient to end the session at the apex of the arc.



I am looking for the most RAW-conformant answers to two questions:




  • How do I model the damage from the explosive? I want to treat this as thunder damage.

  • How do I model the damage from the fire, both from entry into the hazard and from splashed flaming oil?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    These are two totally distinct questions, and should be asked separately. The first question is sort of addressed here: Where can I find rules for explosives or fireworks? (in terms of telling you where to look). And here: Are there any rules for damage from an explosion?. Can you confirm whether those answer your first question?
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    As for the other question, see this question: Is the oil thrown on a creature consumed when it's dealt fire damage and lit? It doesn't directly ask your question, but it references the relevant rules.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago














14












14








14





$begingroup$


In my campaign, there is a crazy old shopkeeper NPC who has some arcane knowledge. In preparation to defend the town against an incoming zombie horde, the party paid him to make twenty one-pound small explosive barrels. Eighteen of those barrels were used to set a trap, and the party kept two. One of my players just decided to lob one into an oil fire in front of some charging enemies, and it happened to be convenient to end the session at the apex of the arc.



I am looking for the most RAW-conformant answers to two questions:




  • How do I model the damage from the explosive? I want to treat this as thunder damage.

  • How do I model the damage from the fire, both from entry into the hazard and from splashed flaming oil?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




In my campaign, there is a crazy old shopkeeper NPC who has some arcane knowledge. In preparation to defend the town against an incoming zombie horde, the party paid him to make twenty one-pound small explosive barrels. Eighteen of those barrels were used to set a trap, and the party kept two. One of my players just decided to lob one into an oil fire in front of some charging enemies, and it happened to be convenient to end the session at the apex of the arc.



I am looking for the most RAW-conformant answers to two questions:




  • How do I model the damage from the explosive? I want to treat this as thunder damage.

  • How do I model the damage from the fire, both from entry into the hazard and from splashed flaming oil?







dnd-5e damage improvised-weaponry






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edited 5 hours ago









V2Blast

26.1k590159




26.1k590159










asked 10 hours ago









WeasemunkWeasemunk

562214




562214












  • $begingroup$
    These are two totally distinct questions, and should be asked separately. The first question is sort of addressed here: Where can I find rules for explosives or fireworks? (in terms of telling you where to look). And here: Are there any rules for damage from an explosion?. Can you confirm whether those answer your first question?
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    As for the other question, see this question: Is the oil thrown on a creature consumed when it's dealt fire damage and lit? It doesn't directly ask your question, but it references the relevant rules.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago


















  • $begingroup$
    These are two totally distinct questions, and should be asked separately. The first question is sort of addressed here: Where can I find rules for explosives or fireworks? (in terms of telling you where to look). And here: Are there any rules for damage from an explosion?. Can you confirm whether those answer your first question?
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    As for the other question, see this question: Is the oil thrown on a creature consumed when it's dealt fire damage and lit? It doesn't directly ask your question, but it references the relevant rules.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    5 hours ago
















$begingroup$
These are two totally distinct questions, and should be asked separately. The first question is sort of addressed here: Where can I find rules for explosives or fireworks? (in terms of telling you where to look). And here: Are there any rules for damage from an explosion?. Can you confirm whether those answer your first question?
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
5 hours ago




$begingroup$
These are two totally distinct questions, and should be asked separately. The first question is sort of addressed here: Where can I find rules for explosives or fireworks? (in terms of telling you where to look). And here: Are there any rules for damage from an explosion?. Can you confirm whether those answer your first question?
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
5 hours ago












$begingroup$
As for the other question, see this question: Is the oil thrown on a creature consumed when it's dealt fire damage and lit? It doesn't directly ask your question, but it references the relevant rules.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
5 hours ago




$begingroup$
As for the other question, see this question: Is the oil thrown on a creature consumed when it's dealt fire damage and lit? It doesn't directly ask your question, but it references the relevant rules.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
5 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















23












$begingroup$

There is a model and statistics for several types of Explosives in the DMG on page 267-8.



The bombs are even specifically 1 lb.




Bomb: As an action, a character can light this bomb and throw it at a
point up to 60 ft away. Each Creature within 5 ft of that point must
succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage.




Oil and catching fire, whether spread on a surface or covering a creature is actually covered in the PHB p 152, under the Oil entry.




Oil. Oil usually comes in a clay flask that holds 1 pint. As an
action, you can splash the oil in this flask onto a creature within 5
feet o f you or throw it up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make
a ranged attack against a target creature or object, treating the oil
as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target is covered in oil. If
the target takes any fire damage before the oil dries (after 1
minute), the target takes an additional 5 fire damage from the burning
oil. You can also pour a flask of oil on the ground to cover a
5-foot-square area, provided that the surface is level. If lit, the
oil burns for 2 rounds and deals 5 fire damage to any creature that
enters the area or ends its turn in the area. A creature can take this
damage only once per turn.




This is statistics for 1 lb of oil. If there is more than that perhaps consider extending the duration of the burn. If there is enough to burn long enough perhaps consider doubling the damage or looking into the Fire rules.



One last thing, Improving Damage and Adjusting Areas of Effects on DMG P249, might be good to glance at. While it doesn't use specific examples for your situation it does provide some decent guidelines.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 7




    $begingroup$
    @Weasemunk Force damage is probably not appropriate - if you look at the descriptions elsewhere, force is not force as physics would describe it, but magic. Thunder for a concussive shock wave or fire for actual burning would be more appropriate.
    $endgroup$
    – T.J.L.
    9 hours ago



















2












$begingroup$

Use Fireball-like Stats



For explosives I usually just rule that it has the same size and damage as the fireball spell.




Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere must make a Dexterity save. A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half on a success.




I usually leave out the fire spread mechanic unless it’s an incendiary explosive. Damage, blast radius, and DEX save can be adjusted according to the explosive potency and size.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    This appears a little too OP for my use case. I'm also interested in modeling damage from the hazards independently
    $endgroup$
    – Weasemunk
    9 hours ago












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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









23












$begingroup$

There is a model and statistics for several types of Explosives in the DMG on page 267-8.



The bombs are even specifically 1 lb.




Bomb: As an action, a character can light this bomb and throw it at a
point up to 60 ft away. Each Creature within 5 ft of that point must
succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage.




Oil and catching fire, whether spread on a surface or covering a creature is actually covered in the PHB p 152, under the Oil entry.




Oil. Oil usually comes in a clay flask that holds 1 pint. As an
action, you can splash the oil in this flask onto a creature within 5
feet o f you or throw it up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make
a ranged attack against a target creature or object, treating the oil
as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target is covered in oil. If
the target takes any fire damage before the oil dries (after 1
minute), the target takes an additional 5 fire damage from the burning
oil. You can also pour a flask of oil on the ground to cover a
5-foot-square area, provided that the surface is level. If lit, the
oil burns for 2 rounds and deals 5 fire damage to any creature that
enters the area or ends its turn in the area. A creature can take this
damage only once per turn.




This is statistics for 1 lb of oil. If there is more than that perhaps consider extending the duration of the burn. If there is enough to burn long enough perhaps consider doubling the damage or looking into the Fire rules.



One last thing, Improving Damage and Adjusting Areas of Effects on DMG P249, might be good to glance at. While it doesn't use specific examples for your situation it does provide some decent guidelines.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 7




    $begingroup$
    @Weasemunk Force damage is probably not appropriate - if you look at the descriptions elsewhere, force is not force as physics would describe it, but magic. Thunder for a concussive shock wave or fire for actual burning would be more appropriate.
    $endgroup$
    – T.J.L.
    9 hours ago
















23












$begingroup$

There is a model and statistics for several types of Explosives in the DMG on page 267-8.



The bombs are even specifically 1 lb.




Bomb: As an action, a character can light this bomb and throw it at a
point up to 60 ft away. Each Creature within 5 ft of that point must
succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage.




Oil and catching fire, whether spread on a surface or covering a creature is actually covered in the PHB p 152, under the Oil entry.




Oil. Oil usually comes in a clay flask that holds 1 pint. As an
action, you can splash the oil in this flask onto a creature within 5
feet o f you or throw it up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make
a ranged attack against a target creature or object, treating the oil
as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target is covered in oil. If
the target takes any fire damage before the oil dries (after 1
minute), the target takes an additional 5 fire damage from the burning
oil. You can also pour a flask of oil on the ground to cover a
5-foot-square area, provided that the surface is level. If lit, the
oil burns for 2 rounds and deals 5 fire damage to any creature that
enters the area or ends its turn in the area. A creature can take this
damage only once per turn.




This is statistics for 1 lb of oil. If there is more than that perhaps consider extending the duration of the burn. If there is enough to burn long enough perhaps consider doubling the damage or looking into the Fire rules.



One last thing, Improving Damage and Adjusting Areas of Effects on DMG P249, might be good to glance at. While it doesn't use specific examples for your situation it does provide some decent guidelines.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 7




    $begingroup$
    @Weasemunk Force damage is probably not appropriate - if you look at the descriptions elsewhere, force is not force as physics would describe it, but magic. Thunder for a concussive shock wave or fire for actual burning would be more appropriate.
    $endgroup$
    – T.J.L.
    9 hours ago














23












23








23





$begingroup$

There is a model and statistics for several types of Explosives in the DMG on page 267-8.



The bombs are even specifically 1 lb.




Bomb: As an action, a character can light this bomb and throw it at a
point up to 60 ft away. Each Creature within 5 ft of that point must
succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage.




Oil and catching fire, whether spread on a surface or covering a creature is actually covered in the PHB p 152, under the Oil entry.




Oil. Oil usually comes in a clay flask that holds 1 pint. As an
action, you can splash the oil in this flask onto a creature within 5
feet o f you or throw it up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make
a ranged attack against a target creature or object, treating the oil
as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target is covered in oil. If
the target takes any fire damage before the oil dries (after 1
minute), the target takes an additional 5 fire damage from the burning
oil. You can also pour a flask of oil on the ground to cover a
5-foot-square area, provided that the surface is level. If lit, the
oil burns for 2 rounds and deals 5 fire damage to any creature that
enters the area or ends its turn in the area. A creature can take this
damage only once per turn.




This is statistics for 1 lb of oil. If there is more than that perhaps consider extending the duration of the burn. If there is enough to burn long enough perhaps consider doubling the damage or looking into the Fire rules.



One last thing, Improving Damage and Adjusting Areas of Effects on DMG P249, might be good to glance at. While it doesn't use specific examples for your situation it does provide some decent guidelines.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$



There is a model and statistics for several types of Explosives in the DMG on page 267-8.



The bombs are even specifically 1 lb.




Bomb: As an action, a character can light this bomb and throw it at a
point up to 60 ft away. Each Creature within 5 ft of that point must
succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage.




Oil and catching fire, whether spread on a surface or covering a creature is actually covered in the PHB p 152, under the Oil entry.




Oil. Oil usually comes in a clay flask that holds 1 pint. As an
action, you can splash the oil in this flask onto a creature within 5
feet o f you or throw it up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make
a ranged attack against a target creature or object, treating the oil
as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target is covered in oil. If
the target takes any fire damage before the oil dries (after 1
minute), the target takes an additional 5 fire damage from the burning
oil. You can also pour a flask of oil on the ground to cover a
5-foot-square area, provided that the surface is level. If lit, the
oil burns for 2 rounds and deals 5 fire damage to any creature that
enters the area or ends its turn in the area. A creature can take this
damage only once per turn.




This is statistics for 1 lb of oil. If there is more than that perhaps consider extending the duration of the burn. If there is enough to burn long enough perhaps consider doubling the damage or looking into the Fire rules.



One last thing, Improving Damage and Adjusting Areas of Effects on DMG P249, might be good to glance at. While it doesn't use specific examples for your situation it does provide some decent guidelines.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 9 hours ago

























answered 9 hours ago









L.P.L.P.

40618




40618








  • 7




    $begingroup$
    @Weasemunk Force damage is probably not appropriate - if you look at the descriptions elsewhere, force is not force as physics would describe it, but magic. Thunder for a concussive shock wave or fire for actual burning would be more appropriate.
    $endgroup$
    – T.J.L.
    9 hours ago














  • 7




    $begingroup$
    @Weasemunk Force damage is probably not appropriate - if you look at the descriptions elsewhere, force is not force as physics would describe it, but magic. Thunder for a concussive shock wave or fire for actual burning would be more appropriate.
    $endgroup$
    – T.J.L.
    9 hours ago








7




7




$begingroup$
@Weasemunk Force damage is probably not appropriate - if you look at the descriptions elsewhere, force is not force as physics would describe it, but magic. Thunder for a concussive shock wave or fire for actual burning would be more appropriate.
$endgroup$
– T.J.L.
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
@Weasemunk Force damage is probably not appropriate - if you look at the descriptions elsewhere, force is not force as physics would describe it, but magic. Thunder for a concussive shock wave or fire for actual burning would be more appropriate.
$endgroup$
– T.J.L.
9 hours ago













2












$begingroup$

Use Fireball-like Stats



For explosives I usually just rule that it has the same size and damage as the fireball spell.




Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere must make a Dexterity save. A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half on a success.




I usually leave out the fire spread mechanic unless it’s an incendiary explosive. Damage, blast radius, and DEX save can be adjusted according to the explosive potency and size.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    This appears a little too OP for my use case. I'm also interested in modeling damage from the hazards independently
    $endgroup$
    – Weasemunk
    9 hours ago
















2












$begingroup$

Use Fireball-like Stats



For explosives I usually just rule that it has the same size and damage as the fireball spell.




Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere must make a Dexterity save. A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half on a success.




I usually leave out the fire spread mechanic unless it’s an incendiary explosive. Damage, blast radius, and DEX save can be adjusted according to the explosive potency and size.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    This appears a little too OP for my use case. I'm also interested in modeling damage from the hazards independently
    $endgroup$
    – Weasemunk
    9 hours ago














2












2








2





$begingroup$

Use Fireball-like Stats



For explosives I usually just rule that it has the same size and damage as the fireball spell.




Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere must make a Dexterity save. A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half on a success.




I usually leave out the fire spread mechanic unless it’s an incendiary explosive. Damage, blast radius, and DEX save can be adjusted according to the explosive potency and size.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$



Use Fireball-like Stats



For explosives I usually just rule that it has the same size and damage as the fireball spell.




Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere must make a Dexterity save. A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half on a success.




I usually leave out the fire spread mechanic unless it’s an incendiary explosive. Damage, blast radius, and DEX save can be adjusted according to the explosive potency and size.







share|improve this answer








New contributor




Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer






New contributor




Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









answered 9 hours ago









Cook DooCook Doo

708




708




New contributor




Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Cook Doo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    This appears a little too OP for my use case. I'm also interested in modeling damage from the hazards independently
    $endgroup$
    – Weasemunk
    9 hours ago














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    This appears a little too OP for my use case. I'm also interested in modeling damage from the hazards independently
    $endgroup$
    – Weasemunk
    9 hours ago








1




1




$begingroup$
This appears a little too OP for my use case. I'm also interested in modeling damage from the hazards independently
$endgroup$
– Weasemunk
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
This appears a little too OP for my use case. I'm also interested in modeling damage from the hazards independently
$endgroup$
– Weasemunk
9 hours ago


















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