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Hey bartleby1982. Below is the entire section for "Combining Magic Effects" (included for clarity). Each section explains how different types of spell effects are handled. The clause for Different Bonus Types is actually unrelated to Same Effect More than Once in Different Strengths.
The option in Bold is the important one. For Acid Fogs of differing strength, the notation in bold is the important one. The stronger acid fog prevails. The weaker casting has no effect unless the stronger casting duration ends.
Combining Magic Effects
Spells or magical effects usually work as described, no matter how many other spells or magical effects happen to be operating in the same area or on the same recipient. Except in special cases, a spell does not affect the way another spell operates. Whenever a spell has a specific effect on other spells, the spell description explains that effect. Several other general rules apply when spells or magical effects operate in the same place:Stacking Effects: Spells that provide bonuses or penalties on attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws, and other attributes usually do not stack with themselves. More generally, two bonuses of the same type don't stack even if they come from different spells (or from effects other than spells; see Bonus Types, above).
Different Bonus Types: The bonuses or penalties from two different spells stack if the modifiers are of different types. A bonus that doesn't have a type stacks with any bonus.
Same Effect More than Once in Different Strengths: In cases when two or more identical spells are operating in the same area or on the same target, but at different strengths, only the one with the highest strength applies.
Same Effect with Differing Results: The same spell can sometimes produce varying effects if applied to the same recipient more than once. Usually the last spell in the series trumps the others. None of the previous spells are actually removed or dispelled, but their effects become irrelevant while the final spell in the series lasts.
One Effect Makes Another Irrelevant: Sometimes, one spell can render a later spell irrelevant. Both spells are still active, but one has rendered the other useless in some fashion.
Multiple Mental Control Effects: Sometimes magical effects that establish mental control render each other irrelevant, such as spells that remove the subject's ability to act. Mental controls that don't remove the recipient's ability to act usually do not interfere with each other. If a creature is under the mental control of two or more creatures, it tends to obey each to the best of its ability, and to the extent of the control each effect allows. If the controlled creature receives conflicting orders simultaneously, the competing controllers must make opposed Charisma checks to determine which one the creature obeys.
Just compare it to other damaging spells.
If you were to get hit by two Fireballs in one turn, only the stronger of the two spells would do damage, right?
Wait...
What about acid fogs of the same strength?
For continuious effect spells, like acid fog, that would mean that only one has any effect in the overlapping area.
Your two acid fogspells would only combine to make a bigger bank of caustic vapors in an area defined by the two effects combined.
What about acid fogs of the same strength?For continuious effect spells, like acid fog, that would mean that only one has any effect in the overlapping area.
Your two acid fogspells would only combine to make a bigger bank of caustic vapors in an area defined by the two effects combined.
Would the same apply to Flaming Sphere?
Could you not affect a creature that was already burned by a different Flaming Sphere?
What about acid fogs of the same strength?For continuious effect spells, like acid fog, that would mean that only one has any effect in the overlapping area.
Your two acid fogspells would only combine to make a bigger bank of caustic vapors in an area defined by the two effects combined.
Would the same apply to Flaming Sphere?
Could you not affect a creature that was already burned by a different Flaming Sphere?
Acid arrow also jumps to mind.
I'm of a mind that secondary effects like penalties to hit or limited movement don't stack, but damage always does.
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Hey bartleby1982, I don't think an an official ruling on same strength effects is really necessary. The guidelines for Same Effect More than Once in Different Strengths says that the strongest spell would be the one that applies. At the core of that rule is that the affects of one spell is applied and one is not. For two spells of equal strength, just choose one.
You brought up some good points about other non-instantaneous affects. For instance, take Peter's comment on Acid Arrow. If a target is hit with two different instances, what happens? I believe RAW would intend that the second Acid Arrow suppresses the first since they are on the same target. My first reaction to this would be that it doesn't feel right. After all, if I shoot a target with two normal arrows, I do damage for both. Why can't two Acid Arrows work the same...but I think it fits the Combining Magic Effects guidelines better that any other interpretation. I am sure the game is designed this way for purposes of balance.
As for two Flaming Spheres occupying the same space, I would rule that the strongest one would affect the target.
I was also thinking about conditions like Bleed. No matter how many time a Bleed attack hits a target, only the strongest remains active. I can see similar logic being tied to most effects/conditions in the game.
Sorry for the thread res, but what about Solid Fog and Acid Fog? Or Solid Fog, Acid Fog and Cloudkill?
Based on the info above I know the vision wouldn't be worse, but it seems to me you could be slowed, have the acid burning you and taking Con damage since they are all different effects.