Fire dmage question...

[speedster_sasha]

Quick question. When a weapon or item says it does fire damage, does that also mean it has a chance of setting a target on fire? What about something like a fire arrow? Or is it just extra damage done in addition. Thanks.

Sasha

[Fatespinner]

Only if the description of the item or ability says that there is a risk of catching fire. Alchemist's fire automatically sets the target ablaze on a successful hit, for example, but spells like fireball and burning hands don't run the risk of igniting the target.

Of course, common sense should never be completely ignored. If a target is covered in oil, for instance, there's a fair chance that it should probably catch fire when exposed to fire damage.

[Marthian]

as Fatespinner said.

HOWEVER:

Alchemical Power Components from Adventurer's Armory wrote:

An alchemical power component is an alchemical item used as a material component or focus for a spell in order to alter or augment the spell’s normal effects. What follows is a sample of these effects using this item as a component; your GM may allow other combinations.

This dwarven favorite can make fire spells last longer.

Burning Hands (M): One target that fails its Reflex saving throw (your choice) catches on fire as if it has been struck by alchemist’s fire.
Fireball (M): One target per caster level that fails its Reflex saving throw (your choice) catches on fire as if it has been struck by alchemist’s fire.
Flaming Sphere (M): Any creature damaged by a flaming sphere catches on fire as if it has been struck by alchemist's fire.
Protection from Energy (M): If cast to ward against cold, increase the amount of cold damage absorbed by 5.
Resist Energy (M): If cast to ward against cold, increase the cold resistance to 12. At caster level 7th, you may use two flasks of alchemist’s fire as a power component to increase the cold resistance to 24. At caster level 11th, you may use three flasks as a power component to increase the cold resistance to 36.
Scorching Ray (F): Add a +1 circumstance bonus on your attack roll with all rays from the spell.
Scorching Ray (M): Any target damaged by a scorching ray catches on fire as if it has been struck by alchemist's fire.
Spells followed by an (M) expend the alchemical item as a material component
Spells followed by an (F) use the item as a focus and do not expend it.
In both cases, the alchemical item does not have its normal effect and does not affect any other parameters of the spell. You cannot use the same item as both a focus and a material component at the same time.