Winter may be almost over, but that doesn't mean that your players won't be dishing out a Ray of Frost or two this spring. Spells that deal cold damage are a staple of any magical arsenal, but it can be difficult to come up with descriptions that truly capture the chilling effects of frost and ice in the heat (I'm sorry) of the moment. That's why I've thrown together a list of cold damage descriptions to help you add an extra layer of detail to your combat encounters. From leaving your enemies frozen and immobile to turning their limbs blue with frostbite, these descriptions will help you bring the full impact of cold spells to life. So bundle up, grab your dice, and let's get ready to freeze some enemies!
Even if you only use Wizards of the Coast materials, there are A LOT of different spells in the game. I have tried to make things as generic as possible but if these just aren't working, consider asking your player to describe the effects of their spell on the target.
Roll | Description |
1 | The enemy shivers violently as the spell hits them, their teeth chattering audibly as they struggle to stay warm. |
2 | The enemy's breath comes out in visible puffs as the spell hits them, their body temperature dropping rapidly in response to the freezing cold. |
3 | The enemy's movements become sluggish and clumsy as the spell hits them, their muscles seizing up in response to the intense cold. |
4 | The enemy howls in pain as your spell hits them with a blast of freezing cold, leaving them shivering and trembling as their internal temperature plummets. |
5 | Your spell hits the enemy with a blast of frigid air, leaving their skin blackened with frost bite. |
6 | A shard of ice shoots from your spell and pierces the enemy's flesh, freezing the area around the wound as the ice spreads through their body. |
7 | The enemy's skin turns a pale blue as the spell hits them, their blood vessels constricting in an attempt to conserve heat. |
8 | The enemy's eyes water and their nose runs as the spell hits them, their body trying to protect itself from the extreme cold. |
9 | The enemy's skin becomes dry and cracked as the spell hits them, the cold sapping the moisture from their body. |
10 | The enemy's movements become uncoordinated and erratic as the spell hits them, their coordination disrupted by the freezing temperature. |
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