Create Water?

[robgrayert]

So, considering that this Adventure Path mainly takes place in sub-zero temperatures, what happens if someone decides to cast Create Water? I figure if they cast it into a closed container then it's (probably) all good, at least until it gradually cools - but can my PC's use it to coat things in ice or build ice barriers or cause hail or snow or ... ?

I'd generally default to "a spell can never duplicate the effects of a higher-level spell", but then again ... physics. If I was in sub-zero temperatures and could suddenly produce gallons of water wherever I'd like, I'd expect it to freeze, and I'd expect that frozen water to have *some* effect.

[Nohwear]

One suggestion is to rule that it is slightly alcoholic. This would greatly raise the freezing point. Another suggestion is to rule that the gods give you pleasantly hot water to warm you up. Although, this would allow create water to help offset the dangers of the cold.

[Luna eladrin]

It does not freeze at once, so they will have to wait for the effect. I suggest you use it as the grease spell, which is not that much higher level, but with a delay.

[robgrayert]

Luna eladrin wrote:

It does not freeze at once, so they will have to wait for the effect. I suggest you use it as the grease spell, which is not that much higher level, but with a delay.

That's more or less what I was thinking - otherwise we're getting into Minor Creation territory.

It's a quandary. Resource management seems to be crucial in the initial stages of this AP, so being able to make water is a good thing (and having forever-not-freezing water negates a portion of that Survival-check-in-the-rugged-wintery-wilderness feeling) - but being able to shape things out of ice, freeze locks, or make ice spears at-will is obviously a problem.

I'll just say that the water freezes in 1d6 rounds maybe - functioning like an ice sheet, as opposed to Grease per se? Though maybe I'd use the Grease effect if they decided to, say, target an item (ranged touch attack?).

[roloz]

Right, you wouldn't be able to make a wall of ice or anything. Maybe a bunch of snow or larger ice crystals.

Here's a video of some dude in Yakutsk dumping a pot of boiling water off of a balcony. It turns into snow before it hits the ground:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoqOLll2xr0

You could probably make a decent ice patch on the ground. But that would probably take at least a few rounds (and is something you can do with normal water anyway).

[Black_Cat]

The volume of water created at once would stop it from freezing probably - certainly wouldn't be quick in any case.

[Luna eladrin]

It also depends on the temperature. It will not freeze directly when there is only light frost. I think in Yakutsk temperatures can be extremely low.