All Dragons Destroy Bags?

[Selveem]

According to the helpfile, only Red Dragons (and possibly Black Dragons) should be destroying packs in FK..

Here's what the helpfile says:

Acid breath
===========
Syntax: cast 'acid breath' <target>
cast 'fire breath' <target>
cast 'frost breath' <target>
cast 'gas breath' <target>
cast 'lightning breath' <target>

A magical talent known to dragons and some other creatures is how to turn
the very power of breath into a devastating weapon.

Acid Breath burns the victim with a caustic blast of acid, often destrying
items they are carrying or using.

Fire Breath is a directional attack which envelops the victim in burning
fumes, often burning items they are carrying.

Frost Breath freezes the very air and directs a blast of ice crystals
towards the victim.

Gas Breath fills an entire room with poisonous vapors, leaving the caster
able to breathe however.

Lightning Breath channels multiple bolts of electricity toward the victim,
causing additional damage should they be wearing metal equipment.

Yet, fighting dragons today, the following happened:

<100%hp 0m 96%mv>
The contents of some concealed sleeves spill out onto the ground.
The contents of a shimmering emerald silk money purse spill out onto the ground.
the white dragon's icy breath cloud barely manages to catch Adam, who shivers nonetheless!

[Raona]

Confirmed that frost breath can destroy containers; seeking clarification on whether helpfile or the spell code needs a change. Bug #1014.

[Raona]

Helpfile updated. Makes sense to me, and I work with cryogens regularly: freeze almost anything to super-cold temperatures, and they become very brittle, readily broken if jostled around (as in combat).

Acid and Fire also destroy containers, but poison and electricity do not.

[Lathander]

Actually, it didn’t say that it DIDN’T destroy bags, while the others specifically mentioned it. I agree, cold should freeze and destroy containers.

[Selveem]

If you're going to do that, then containers should get a save just like a PC would. It's only fair. Just because a PC gets hit with fire doesn't mean his belongings ignite, for example.

[Raona]

If you're going to do that, then containers should get a save just like a PC would. It's only fair. Just because a PC gets hit with fire doesn't mean his belongings ignite, for example.

Breath weapons don't automatically destroy anything; I had to breathe on my testchar a goodly number of times before any of his containers went kablooie. I don't think it is a "save," per se, but every container has a good chance of surviving.

[Brar]

Also any spell that protect you from the good element also protects your items I think.

[Harroghty]

The up-to-date help file really answers the mail, I think.

Players should see this and know to avoid bringing their bags into combat with a dragon; many PCs know this also. The best spell of protection is preparation.

[Xryon]

I can't seem to search well on my phone, but I seem to recall a fairly lengthy thread about the destruction of items by dragon being more of an annoyance than a positive game feature. Is there a specific reason why we want our containers destroyed?

[Selveem]

Also any spell that protect you from the good element also protects your items I think.

I understand what you're saying, Harroghty, but as Brar says, any saves (and bonuses you get to saves) or resistances also apply to your items.

Raona, I can understand you didn't have a bag bust, but try carrying three (which, most adventurers have at least three on FK due to space constraints) or more. By the time you kill the dragon in a group even with six or so people, a lot of bags will have burst.

[Nysan]

Raona, I can understand you didn't have a bag bust, but try carrying three (which, most adventurers have at least three on FK due to space constraints) or more. By the time you kill the dragon in a group even with six or so people, a lot of bags will have burst.

Which is why preparation is suggested earlier in the thread. Save the bags with forethought! Leave them on a stabled companion in a nearby town, a simple floating disc spell near the dragon lair... there are dozens of ways to keep the bags away from a unfortunate freezing/burning demise.

That said, there are bags that cannot avoid combat. Containers, such as spell pouches, could use a bit more defenses against flame/frost destruction. Is it challenge, or just annoying spam, when a wizard's/priest's pouch dumps 100 items into a room? Just a thought...