This is an article in the continuing series, “Fun with Magic”, where I examine spells from the D20 System Reference Document, which corresponds to spells from the Player’s Handbook v. 3.5. These spells are in almost every campaign and form the foundation of spells used in Yön. Each article demonstrates strengths and weaknesses of a particular spell and some unique applications for each, to the limit of the author’s imagination, such as it is.
Acid Fog
Conjuration (Creation) [Acid]
Level: Sor/Wiz 6, Water 7
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect: Fog spreads in 20-ft. radius, 20 ft. high
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Acid fog creates a billowing mass of misty vapors similar to that produced by a solid fog spell. In addition to slowing creatures down and obscuring sight, this spell’s vapors are highly acidic. Each round on your turn, starting when you cast the spell, the fog deals 2d6 points of acid damage to each creature and object within it.
Arcane Material Component: A pinch of dried, powdered peas combined with powdered animal hoof.
Combat Advantages: Decent range, no saving throw, ignores spell resistance, hinders movement, good for area denial.
Combat Disadvantages: Has little effect against incorporeal or ethereal creatures (they move right out and avoid the damage half the time), outsiders usually resist the acid and teleport out, can’t be dismissed if you need to pass through the area.
Average Damage: 7 points per round for at least 11 rounds.
A great spell for breaking up groups of enemies or pinning them, allowing you to defeat them piecemeal. Use this spell to slow down big, heavy hitting creatures so you can blast them with area of effect spells that the acid fog’s concealment won’t protect them against. Confusion is a particularly deadly spell to cast into an acid fog; the targets wander around and attack each other or just sit and get burned. Casting it into a room full of critters then slamming and blocking the door is also a nasty trick. If you have acid resistance, you can hide in the fog while you heal or prepare spells. Against unintelligent targets, you might be able to try and get them to chase you back and forth through the fog. Finally, this is a good spell for hindering pursuit in dungeon passages: even if the pursuers are willing to dive into the green fog, it will take them as long as eight rounds to push their way through, giving you ample time to open your lead.