Do Spells make sounds?

[Sentack]

This isn't about the art of casting a spell. We know some spells have verbal components to them. The question is, when a spell is unleashed, does it make a sound. Does a Fireball make an explosion sound? Does summoning a monster make a sound? Does casting invisibility make a sound? Heck, do they make any light as well?

This came up because there was a question about trying to cast a spell while being quiet. The players were far away that they couldn't be heard, but the spell was being centered further away and the question of sight and sound at the target came up.

What do people think?

[wraithstrike]

There is really no rule for this. The default answer is not unless text specifically says it does.

[SlimGauge]

For some spells, it's obvious.

Dancing Lights makes light.
Ghost Sound makes sounds.

The effects of a spell can make noise.

Acid Splash makes acid that lasts one round, so for one round you could hear the acid sizzle on a target of appropriate material. The DC to hear this is entirely up the GM. (certain combinations of acid and target may sizzle more or less or not at all, consult a physical chemist).

Summon a bear and that bear may roar as part of his attack routine. If you have some way of communicating with the bear, you might be able to ask him to be quiet.

Reading the description of fireball, it does describe detonation with a low roar.

[The Morphling]

The rule of thumb here is "common sense." Assuming the non-magical equivalent of such a spell would make noise, the spell makes noise too. For example, the rules don't say that a tree falling in the forest (let's assume someone is there to hear it) makes noise. But it's obvious it does make noise.

Same with spells. Don't arbitrarily add a "gong" sound effect to charm person but you'd hear a little splash and sizzle with an acid splash and hydraulic push sounds like a wave splashing.

[Ciaran Barnes]

The rules don't say that weapons make sound either, but according to the entry for the perception skill battle makes sound, so we can draw from that whatever conclusions we care to.

[ericthetolle]

I'm pretty sure that Magic Missile makes a "pew pew pew!" sound. At least it does when I use it.

[Owly]

ericthetolle wrote:

I'm pretty sure that Magic Missile makes a "pew pew pew!" sound. At least it does when I use it.

I just tried this out in-game, and Ericthetolle is right. It does indeed make a "pew pew pew!" sound.

[Shadowborn]

Owly wrote:

ericthetolle wrote:

I'm pretty sure that Magic Missile makes a "pew pew pew!" sound. At least it does when I use it.

I just tried this out in-game, and Ericthetolle is right. It does indeed make a "pew pew pew!" sound.

I beg to differ.

[Titania, the Summer Queen]

Shadowborn wrote:

Owly wrote:

ericthetolle wrote:

I'm pretty sure that Magic Missile makes a "pew pew pew!" sound. At least it does when I use it.

I just tried this out in-game, and Ericthetolle is right. It does indeed make a "pew pew pew!" sound.

I beg to differ.

That's funny, mine sound like the lasers from a tie -fighter as it's making a. Strafeing run.... including the whine of the air foils. (Comes from my whirlwinding my arms!)

[Titania, the Summer Queen]

Titania, the Summer Queen wrote:

Shadowborn wrote:

Owly wrote:

ericthetolle wrote:

I'm pretty sure that Magic Missile makes a "pew pew pew!" sound. At least it does when I use it.

I just tried this out in-game, and Ericthetolle is right. It does indeed make a "pew pew pew!" sound.

I beg to differ.

That's funny, mine sound like the lasers from a tie -fighter as it's making a. Strafeing run.... including the whine of the air foils. (Comes from my whirlwinding my arms!)

Probably why I get AOOied so often, or smacked on the back of my head by my fellow adventurers.

[Xaratherus]

Titania, the Summer Queen wrote:

Shadowborn wrote:

Owly wrote:

ericthetolle wrote:

I'm pretty sure that Magic Missile makes a "pew pew pew!" sound. At least it does when I use it.

I just tried this out in-game, and Ericthetolle is right. It does indeed make a "pew pew pew!" sound.

I beg to differ.

That's funny, mine sound like the lasers from a tie -fighter as it's making a. Strafeing run.... including the whine of the air foils. (Comes from my whirlwinding my arms!)

That's the somatic component. The verbal component is "Stay on target!"

[Fomsie]

I don't know, but I know that most of my Fire spells have a distinct "FWOOSH" sound when used.

[Titania, the Summer Queen]

My sanctuary spell has a result of " pew pew pew, altar"

[Ciaran Barnes]

Some spell casters using Color Spray or some sort of "Prismatic" spell have been known to shout "Taste the rainbow!" without warning. I can testify that this is not a unique occurrence.