Go try taking a lighter to a spider web. The stuff burns up just from too much heat being nearby.
I think that may be because of the super-thin strands. The specific surface of normal spiderwebs is very large. Very, very fine steel wool burns, too, for that same reason.
If thicker web fibres are generated by the spell (as can be assumed, because they hinder movement), they won't burn nearly as fast.
EDI:
Thatd said, such real world physics arguments generally aren't the best idea for deciding how a certain spells works....
So Hyla you are saying that the answer to all the above is yes...? Just trying to get a variety of opinions.
I would rule that if you make the reflex save vs. the flaming sphere you would suffer the 2d4 dmg from the burning web instead (against which there is no save).
If however you do NOT make your save, you would only suffer the 2d6 from the spell.
Hi There!
Just wanted to ask a few of questions regarding the web spell:
Imho RAW would be
1. If I am caught in the web spell and I then get hit by a flaming sphere do I take the flaming sphere damage as well as the burning web damage?
Yes. Nothing about the two spell's texts states otherwise.
2. Is the flaming sphere impeded by the web spell at all?
No. A magical fire effect destroys any part of the web in its area. The flaming sphere burns away each 5-foot square of the web into which it moves. If this completely breaks the web between its two anchoring surfaces, the web collapses per the spell's text.
3. If I have been hit by the flaming sphere (it has "stopped" on me) and another web spell is cast will the flaming sphere burn the webs before they hit me? If so do I take damage? Am I entangled in the webs at any stage?
Probably no to being affected by the web and probably yes to taking burning web damage. The web would be cast and the portion in the flaming sphere's area would immediately burn. Making a save against the web would be moot because it'd burn up instantly. I'd rule that you still take the burning web damage.
My two cents:
1. If I am caught in the web spell and I then get hit by a flaming sphere do I take the flaming sphere damage as well as the burning web damage?
Sure, why not? I've even done this with one of my wizard characters.
2. Is the flaming sphere impeded by the web spell at all?
I would say that it burns the webs in each square it passes through, so it's not impeded.
3. If I have been hit by the flaming sphere (it has "stopped" on me) and another web spell is cast will the flaming sphere burn the webs before they hit me? If so do I take damage? Am I entangled in the webs at any stage?
My interpretation is that the damage from the flaming sphere is done on the caster's turn. So you get hit by the web spell (which might entangle you on a failed save), and then the webs burn up on the caster's turn, doing 2d4 damage. In addition, you may be forced to save against the flaming sphere again, provided it stops in your square.
Web spells stopped being flammable in 3.X. Fire has no particular effect on them. If you're webbed and are hit by a flaming sphere, the effect is as normal.
Is this paragraph missing from the print edition of the CRB?
The strands of a web spell are flammable. A flaming weapon can slash them away as easily as a hand brushes away cobwebs. Any fire can set the webs alight and burn away one 5-foot square in 1 round. All creatures within flaming webs take 2d4 points of fire damage from the flames.