Question:
Certain Conjuration spells, such as Acid Arrow/Splash, Adhesive Spittle, Snowball or Stone Discus for example ignore Spell Resistance (as does the Crystal Shard psionic power).
The rationale being that these spells do not project a magical effect at their target, but rather create an object or substance magically and then merely propel this totally non-magical stuff at the target.
So far so good.
However, if the spell effectively creates a projectile, should same projectile not be subject to being deflected or even intercepted by the Deflect/Snatch Arrow line of feats?
Think about it: The feat is supposed to work even on the vials alchemical bombs are delivered in and bullets. And even if one argues that the snowball from a Snowball spell is a magically charged item, that leaves two questions:
1) What was the rationale for the missile not being subject to Spell Resistance again?
2) So is an +1 flaming arrow. And that one can be deflected or snatched just fine.
So, this is not a RAW question. By RAW, an Acid Arrow is not a thrown weapon or piece of ammunition. So no deflecting or snatching it.
The question is: Should it be?
Think about it: If these spells have the privilege of ignoring Spell Resistance, should they not be made to pay for that privilege by becoming subject to interception, just as any other missile they claim to be?
"An arrow of acid springs from your hand and speeds to its target."
I was under the impression that acid arrow created an arrow shaped blob of acid. As such, trying to deflect it would only get it all over you. I imagine snowball is the same, especially if it deals cold damage, not bludgeoning damage.
Stone discuss is a little more vague, but deflect arrows seems to work on any ranged weapon attack.
"You must have at least one hand free (holding nothing) to use this feat. Once per round when you would normally be hit with an attack from a ranged weapon, you may deflect it so that you take no damage from it. You must be aware of the attack and not flat-footed. Attempting to deflect a ranged attack doesn't count as an action. Unusually massive ranged weapons (such as boulders or ballista bolts) and ranged attacks generated by natural attacks or spell effects can't be deflected."
I take the last sentence to apply to things like web attacks and scorching rays, not manticore spikes or object hurled with a telekinesis spell.
That created substance is not a hard projectile that can be deflected. It is energy with a shape to it.