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Alright, I'm fairly certain that a mage can use Pyrotechnics on a pre-existing Flaming Sphere - that is, a Flaming Sphere is a valid "source of flame" for the Pyrotechnics spell.
What I'm not clear on is this - what happens to the sphere?
Relevant text from Flaming Sphere: "It can be extinguished by any means that would put out a normal fire of its size."
Relevant text from Pyrotechnics: "The spell uses one fire source, which is immediately extinguished. Magical fires are not extinguished, although a fire-based creature used as a source takes 1 point of damage per caster level."
So, which happens:
1) Pyrotechnics consumes / destroys the sphere; given it's relatively small size (5 foot diameter) and the fact that a) "the sphere is extinguished by anything that would put out a normal fire of it's size" and b) "the fire source used by pyrotechnics is extinguished if it is a normal source of fire".
2) The sphere is unharmed, because it is a "magical source of flame".
3)It takes 1 point of damage per level, because it counts as a fire-based creature.
3a) Follow-up question: The sphere has no hit points or any other listed statistics beyond a movement speed and damage dealt (which is prevented by a Reflex save, not a failed attack roll/touch attack). How much damage can the Sphere take?
Either interpretation seems valid to me - I don't see how one takes precedence over the other. I mean, if a mage cast Pyrotechnics on the "+1 Flaming Greatsword" wielded by the party Barbarian, the sword would not go out, because it's a magical source of flame (whether the mage would survive the barbarian's wrath is an interesting question, but off-topic).
I'm also not sure there's a balance/powergaming problem with the strategy - it takes two rounds to set up, and the sphere doesn't last that long,so it's not like there will be multiple castings of Pyrotechnics off of the same sphere.
If Pyrotechnics consumes the sphere, the tactic is noticeably less awesome. It's still worth doing, but not as often - and it's already not always worth doing.
I'm not sure. I could go either way.
I would say number two. Its a spell so its magical ergo no extinguishy
as for 3a its not a fire creature, its a spell and short of dispel magic or some such you can't damage it.
I would say number two. Its a spell so its magical ergo no extinguishy
as for 3a its not a fire creature, its a spell and short of dispel magic or some such you can't damage it.
Seconded. I think the wording in flaming sphere is just to explain that mundane water would put it out. It is magical, deeply connected to the caster's will and essence (he is controlling it and all). Now, the things the flaming sphere set on fire are perfectly acceptable targets for pyrotechnics.
Again, my vote it's a descriptive thing that shouldn't be rules lawyered too closely- like flame blade's "you wield this like a scimitar." It doesn't mean it has an 18-20 crit range and you need martial training in a scimitar or you suck with it, it's just a less copyright infringing way to say it's a druidic light saber.