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Unveiling the Secrets of Wall of Fire: Duration, Damage, and More!

The Wall of Fire spell has captivated players across various tabletop and video game formats. Its potent combination of area denial and damage makes it a staple for many spellcasters. Whether you’re strategically placing a fiery barrier in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign or controlling the battlefield in Baldur’s Gate 3, understanding the intricacies of this spell is crucial. So, let’s dive right in!

How long does the Wall of Fire last? The answer depends on the context, varying significantly between different game systems and editions.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition): The spell lasts for 1 minute, or until the caster loses concentration.
Baldur’s Gate 3: The Wall of Fire spell lasts for 10 turns, unless the caster loses concentration.

Mastering the Flame: A Comprehensive Guide to Wall of Fire

Beyond mere duration, the Wall of Fire boasts a range of properties that make it a formidable spell. From its damage output to its visual representation, grasping these elements is key to maximizing its effectiveness.

Damage and Saving Throws

The core mechanic of the Wall of Fire centers around dealing fire damage to creatures that come into contact with it. In Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition), one side of the wall, chosen by the caster, inflicts 5d8 fire damage to any creature that ends its turn within 10 feet of that side or inside the wall. A creature also takes the same damage when it enters the wall for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. A successful Dexterity saving throw halves this damage.

Baldur’s Gate 3 mirrors this mechanic, maintaining the 5d8 fire damage and the Dexterity saving throw to halve it. However, remember the duration difference: 1 minute (potentially 10 rounds) in tabletop versus a fixed 10 turns in the video game.

Dispelling the Flames: Ending the Spell

Sometimes, circumstances change, and you need to dismiss your Wall of Fire prematurely. In both Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur’s Gate 3, breaking the caster’s concentration will end the spell. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you can also look under your character portrait at the bottom left; you should be able to click a small white X and stop the spell.

Scaling with Power: Casting at Higher Levels

Many spells become more potent when cast using higher-level spell slots, and the Wall of Fire is no exception. In Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition), when cast using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 4th. This scaling can significantly amplify the spell’s destructive potential.

Visualizing the Wall: Shape and Orientation

The Wall of Fire can manifest as a straight line up to 20 feet long and 20 feet high, or as a ring with a 20-foot diameter. The key is that it must be continuous and based upon a surface from which it then extends. As long as it’s a line, it can be a squiggly line. While you could technically cast it horizontally, it still has to be based upon a surface from which it then extends.

Interactions with Other Elements

The Wall of Fire is, unsurprisingly, vulnerable to certain environmental factors. Like most persistent spells, it will not function in water. Wall of Fire does not stack on top of other Walls of Fire or Incendiary Clouds. If Wall of Fire is touching another Wall of Fire that was cast previously, then the first one is negated and does no additional damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Wall of Fire do damage twice? A creature takes the same damage when it enters the wall for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. The other side of the wall deals no damage.
Do you take damage moving through Wall of Fire? Yes. If you place the wall on a person it deals 5d8 on a failed dex save or half on a successful one. If they walk through (or within 10 ft) it it’s a guaranteed 5d8 damage on a fail and half on a success.
Can Wall of Fire be horizontal? You could cast it horizontally, but it still has to be based upon a surface from which it then extends.
Can you cast Wall of Fire on water? No, like most persistent spells, will not function in water.
Does Wall of Fire have to be straight? No. As long as it’s a line, it can be a squiggly line.
How much damage does Wall of Fire do? One side of the wall deals 5d8 fire damage to each creature that ends its turn within 10 feet of that side or inside the wall. A creature takes the same damage when it enters the wall for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there.
What happens if you run through a Wall of Fire? Running through a Wall of Fire would be extremely dangerous and is not recommended. The temperature of a Wall of Fire can exceed 1000°C (1800°F) and can cause severe burns, lung damage, and even death.
How do you dismiss a Wall of Fire? Look under your portrait at the bottom left in Baldur’s Gate 3, you should be able to click a small white X and stop the spell. You can also break the caster’s concentration to end the spell.
Does Wall of Fire stack with other Walls of Fire? No, Wall of Fire does not stack on top of other Walls of Fire or Incendiary Clouds. If Wall of Fire is touching another Wall of Fire that was cast previously, then first one is negated and does no additional damage.
Can a Fire start inside a Wall? Yes, some electrical fire dangers are hidden inside the walls, but if you know the warning signs, you can keep an electrical fire from happening in your home. Most homeowners know that overloading circuits and using frayed extension cords can lead to electrical fires. Frayed cords, loose wiring, bad insulation, incorrectly sized wires, and wrong wires are all common causes of fire.
How does a Fire start in a Wall? Common causes of fire are poor wiring, frayed cords, loose wiring, bad insulation, incorrectly sized wires, and wrong wires.
Is the smell of smoke after a Fire harmful? Some of the gases emitted and created in fire plumes are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These compounds create the smell of a fire plume (and linger post-fire). Many of the gases emitted by active fires are also harmful to human health.
How do you fix a fire damaged wall? It is possible to paint over smoke-damaged walls. However, you shouldn’t apply paint straight over smoke stains, as doing so won’t cover them up. Start by removing stains with a dry cleaning sponge, followed by a wet cleaning method. Then, apply a durable primer to the walls to prevent the stains from showing through.
What is a Fire Wall? A fire wall contains a fire within the area in which it originated. Openings in fire walls must utilize specific materials and design. Fire walls not only contain the fire, they are designed to withstand force from other structures or items that may collapse within the building, such as inventory or storage.
How do you know if a wall is a fire wall? Fire barrier walls are typically continuous from an exterior wall to an exterior wall, or from a floor below to a floor or roof above, or from one fire barrier wall to another fire barrier wall, having a fire resistance rating equal to or greater than the required rating for the application.

The Everlasting Appeal of Wall of Fire

The Wall of Fire spell continues to be a favorite among players and game developers alike. Its strategic depth and satisfying damage output make it a memorable and impactful addition to any spellcaster’s arsenal. Want to explore more about the educational aspects of gaming? Visit Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org to find resources and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

By understanding the nuances of the Wall of Fire, you can master its fiery power and dominate the battlefield, whether in tabletop adventures or digital realms. So go forth, brave spellcaster, and wield the flames with wisdom and skill!

How long does wall of fire last?