A
fireball spell is an explosion of flame that detonates with a low roar and deals 1d6 points of fire
damage per
caster level (maximum 10d6) to every creature within the
area. Unattended objects also take this
damage. The explosion creates almost no pressure.
You point your finger and determine the
range (distance and height) at which the
fireball is to burst. A glowing, pea-sized bead streaks from the pointing digit and, unless it impacts upon a material body or solid barrier prior to attaining the prescribed
range, blossoms into the
fireball at that point. (An early impact results in an early detonation.) If you attempt to send the bead through a narrow passage, such as through an arrow slit, you must "hit" the opening with a ranged touch attack, or else the bead strikes the barrier and detonates prematurely.
The
fireball sets fire to combustibles and damages objects in the
area. It can melt metals with low melting points, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, and bronze. If the
damage caused to an interposing barrier shatters or breaks through it, the
fireball may continue beyond the barrier if the
area permits; otherwise it stops at the barrier just as any other spell effect does.