Greek Fire


Homebrew and House Rules


I want to include the AD&D version of Greek fire in my campaigns, but on a much more realistic level! Greek Fire was similar to how Napalm works now, a thick gel-type resin that burned for a long time before extinguishing, unable to be put out by water (rumored to actually react violently to water). It was mostly used in navel battles and is historical fact.

As a DM, I want to include Greek Fire in a historical campaign setting, but instead of naval battles, I want to have the stuff above the catwalk surrounding a castle, near the entrance where boiling oil would be poured. I need some rules ideas for damage to characters trying to use a battering ram to break the castle gates when this stuff is sprayed at them!

Thanks for suggestions ahead of time.

Grand Lodge

This won't help you at all ;p , but if you ever want to read a wonderful piece of fiction that features Greek Fire prominently, check out Neil Stephenson's The Baroque Cycle trilogy.

Grand Lodge

Alchemist fire is a more toned down version of Greek fire to be honest. i always thought it funky that they made alchemist fire ignite when exposed to air, but hey.

To facilitate what your looking for in large amounts like what is used in sieges i think you should use the stats for alchemist fire but boost the damage up to at least 2d6 and triple or more the duration of the burn time. rolling around on the ground offers no bonus to the reflex save but water immersion gives the +2 bonus and magic dousing works as normal.

In addition the Greek fire must be lit before use and would take a few rounds to "light up".

Edit: Man portable (bucket sized or lower) should follow the Alchemist Fire rules as is, other than the "light up" part. free action near any open flame, standard action with anything else.

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