Thank you for keeping the torch alive and relevant in dnd. A little reminder that darkvision still leaves you in a low light environment where things have advantage for hiding from you and the torch helps even the darkvision character. 👍
Water can put out a Torch if you plunge it into water quickly on a 45 degree angle and hold it under the water for a while. I didn't explain that point in the video in detail and said maybe. I don't want to make a demonstration video on the Torch because I have almost set my yard on fire in the past.
Oil-torches will simply extinguish when almost completely submerged, yet, they do not have the amount of oil and heat needed to generate the boilover regarding the conditions you are suggesting for this to happen.
The thaumaturgy spell can be used to turn the torches(or any flamed lightsource) bright light into dim light, or dim light into bright light. This is also not limited to non magical flames. The control flames cantrip can double or halve the areas of bight or dim light get Venmo of by the flame of a torch(or flames light source). The flame is required to be non magical. Also, these affects can stack as long as the flame is non magical. Pretty nice way enhance most mundane light sources and stay aware of your surroundings.
I tend to play humans so often rely torches. I never liked that there was not lot of other uses for torches other than hold onto and then drop when a fight started. I think I will have to some explaining to do, especially about water and oil, or maybe there is a neat little video I could direct them to :). I can now imagine having a pouch of oiled clothe strips, a bundle of sticks in a quiver. I would also have a pouch of sand where I could quickly and easily douse a torch, maybe a bandolier of oil filled baubles. It might be cool to have cloth strips with different flammables too. Thanks for the great ideas.
Cauterize a wound. Use the sticky pitch in the torch as a simple glue. Use the torch as a club. Sharpen the torch and stake a vampire’s heart. Use the torch to keep a door from closing.
Powdered coffee creamer also goes boom, if in cloud form when a torch is applied. Myth Busters gave me SO many ideas. But thanks for the low down on torch construction. I always thought it was a simple stick and a rag (too many Acton movie tropes). I am Very well aware of grease and fire, worked for fast food for 9 years, I have seen grease fires. >^..^
I am glad you understand the physics, it took me a while to figure it out after putting out grease fires and connecting it to Dungeons and Dragons torches.
I remember you were supposed to drop your pack and torch and draw your sword when you heard orcs coming so you could fight by fire light with both hands free. You put out a torch with a leather cap.
Do you have sources for the spreading of torch fire through water? Or did you base this on logic? You need a lot of energy to make water evaporate and then have the torch fuel spread because of that expansion. The water needs to enter the torch, then evaporate inside it to push the oil out so it can burn. If you're using anything that is slow burning (which is nice for torches, so you don't have to get a new one every 10 seconds), it means that the water (even at boiling point) will probably cool the torch too much for the fuel to spread and keep burning. The cooking fires spreading is because there is a lot of energy way higher than the boiling point for water, so the water instantly evaporates and expands, spreading the oil. Try lighting a matchstick and then throw it in a cup of water: Most of the sulfur tip won't even burn, and matches are used for centuries because they burn so well. Throw a torch into a pond, and it will go out. Throw a cup of water onto a torch, and at max you should have a similar effect to pissing on a campfire. Also, easiest way to put out a torch is not sand, but put a cap over it (which will also prevent evaporating excess fuel when it's not burning). Most non-hand held torches have a cap next to it.
_Do you have sources for the spreading of torch fire through water? Or did you base this on logic?_ The answer to both would be no. It is important to understand *why* such kitchen fireballs happen... When one throws water on a grease/oil fire in, say a pot or pan, two things come in to play: polarity of molecules and relative density. Water molecules are polar, oil molecules are non-polar. That is why they do not mix - they are trying to stay as far away from each other as they can. Water is also more dense, so the water immediately sinks below the flaming substance oil, and because water absorbs heat very well and a grease fire is very hot, it immediately evaporates. The steam expands explosively, essentially blowing the oil out before it. Result: the fireballs one sees in videos where some idiot throws water onto a grease fire. The reason a similar such fireball does *_NOT_* happen if one drops or dunks a torch using oil or grease as an accelerant into water has to do with molecule polarity (again) and the structure of the torch itself. Whether it is a heavy wrapping of cloth or a bundle of porous reeds, the torch has to have something for the oil to soak in and cohere to, otherwise it'll just dribble down the handle and set one's hand on fire. With this in mind, also remember that the oil wants to stick with itself and not touch the water. So when a flaming oil torch is dropped into water the oils will "stick with the wick", as it were. With the water surrounding the fuel rather than the fuel surrounding the water, the mechanical pressures on the oil are different than it is when water is dropped into a fire in a pot or pan. So in short, the spectacular fireballs in the aforementioned videos *does not happen.* If one dunks such a flaming torch _underneath_ water, while there will be some initial steam, robbed of oxygen the fire would very quickly go out. Simple as that. Now all that is the theory behind it. As for practical experience, I do have some. When I was in Boy Scouts 'lo these many decades ago, we'd the occasional torchlight parade. Now back then we didn't just buy a buttload of tiki-torches from the local home and garden, we made our own torches, and we made them the old fashion way with oil or paraffin wax. Both substances actually contain roughly the same amount of joules per gram. Anyhoo, one learned to make an effective torch. And learning takes trial and error. And when one had to extinguish one's torches, one dunked it in a tub of water. Sorry for the long post. I hope it was informative. If you've further questions, feel free to ask.
@@HowtoRPG There's actually a lot more to it than that. Suffice it to say, your conjecture is incorrect. I've gone in to detail in my response to Eelco.
I am not sure if I am having a blonde moment, or what the deal is, but can you explain the "OMG big secret" about torches? I've listened 3 times now to the end of the video. You start to lose me around the Greek fire part. I understand the mechanics of oil fires. I understand the idea of Greek fire (which requires an extreme amount of oil to do). But after that you kind of just ramble on about torches thrown on the ground being unable to be stopped, and (more or less) blocking access almost sounding like a wall of fire. Can you clarify what you mean?
Torches don't just go out by dropping them on the ground or wet ground. Water rarely puts out a torch fire, it can also be dangerous to attempt. If you ever make a real Torch it becomes very clear when extinguishing it, but without a demonstration people refuse to believe me.
@@HowtoRPG Sure, dropping a torch doesn't make it go out. But the fighter that drops it on the ground and pulls out his sword I still don't understand. You make it sound like its a wall of fire that prevents movement. Its just a torch on the ground. It can be stepped over without issue. What am I missing?
@@elizabethw7698 It's not a wall of fire and I didn't say that. But an old fashioned Torch is prone to fire spreading and can be placed in a choke point or force a creature to go around it. The flame from older torches is very large and unpredictable. I discovered this in my backyard one day.
@@HowtoRPG lol, be careful with that. Alright. Well thank you for the clarification. I've watched most/all of your equipment videos now and look forward to new content. Especially uses for spells. Minor Illusion and Phantasmal Force would be fantastic ideas, as they both are low level (most games are L1-5), highly customizable, and for the creative player (fits in your series), very useful.
Thank you for keeping the torch alive and relevant in dnd. A little reminder that darkvision still leaves you in a low light environment where things have advantage for hiding from you and the torch helps even the darkvision character. 👍
You are welcome Travis. Yes, light is better than no light.
Water can put out a Torch if you plunge it into water quickly on a 45 degree angle and hold it under the water for a while. I didn't explain that point in the video in detail and said maybe. I don't want to make a demonstration video on the Torch because I have almost set my yard on fire in the past.
Absolutely wonderful. I cant wait to have my players lite everything and everyone on fire.
lol. Glad you liked it.
@@HowtoRPG my dm hates me now that he knows of this -.- worked out pretty well^^
@@DonFranke lol. Don't you worry it's going to bit you eventually when the DM's monsters start carrying torches.
Oil-torches will simply extinguish when almost completely submerged, yet, they do not have the amount of oil and heat needed to generate the boilover regarding the conditions you are suggesting for this to happen.
The thaumaturgy spell can be used to turn the torches(or any flamed lightsource) bright light into dim light, or dim light into bright light. This is also not limited to non magical flames.
The control flames cantrip can double or halve the areas of bight or dim light get Venmo of by the flame of a torch(or flames light source). The flame is required to be non magical.
Also, these affects can stack as long as the flame is non magical. Pretty nice way enhance most mundane light sources and stay aware of your surroundings.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on using torches and spells.
This video is very illuminating! Thank you for sharing these great ideas!
You are welcome :)
I tend to play humans so often rely torches. I never liked that there was not lot of other uses for torches other than hold onto and then drop when a fight started. I think I will have to some explaining to do, especially about water and oil, or maybe there is a neat little video I could direct them to :). I can now imagine having a pouch of oiled clothe strips, a bundle of sticks in a quiver. I would also have a pouch of sand where I could quickly and easily douse a torch, maybe a bandolier of oil filled baubles. It might be cool to have cloth strips with different flammables too. Thanks for the great ideas.
Nice ideas Billy. You are welcome, have fun.
Cauterize a wound. Use the sticky pitch in the torch as a simple glue. Use the torch as a club. Sharpen the torch and stake a vampire’s heart. Use the torch to keep a door from closing.
Nice addition to the list. Thanks for sharing.
Powdered coffee creamer also goes boom, if in cloud form when a torch is applied. Myth Busters gave me SO many ideas.
But thanks for the low down on torch construction. I always thought it was a simple stick and a rag (too many Acton movie tropes). I am Very well aware of grease and fire, worked for fast food for 9 years, I have seen grease fires. >^..^
I am glad you understand the physics, it took me a while to figure it out after putting out grease fires and connecting it to Dungeons and Dragons torches.
I remember you were supposed to drop your pack and torch and draw your sword when you heard orcs coming so you could fight by fire light with both hands free. You put out a torch with a leather cap.
I always had a doubt about dropping a torch do draw a sword/ weapon when playing a human character in dark environments. So the torch doesnt go out!
No the torch does not go out. It's rather tricky to put a torch out safely.
Really good, thank you so much for your videos!
You are going to have a ball. All best.
Do you have sources for the spreading of torch fire through water? Or did you base this on logic?
You need a lot of energy to make water evaporate and then have the torch fuel spread because of that expansion. The water needs to enter the torch, then evaporate inside it to push the oil out so it can burn. If you're using anything that is slow burning (which is nice for torches, so you don't have to get a new one every 10 seconds), it means that the water (even at boiling point) will probably cool the torch too much for the fuel to spread and keep burning. The cooking fires spreading is because there is a lot of energy way higher than the boiling point for water, so the water instantly evaporates and expands, spreading the oil.
Try lighting a matchstick and then throw it in a cup of water: Most of the sulfur tip won't even burn, and matches are used for centuries because they burn so well. Throw a torch into a pond, and it will go out. Throw a cup of water onto a torch, and at max you should have a similar effect to pissing on a campfire.
Also, easiest way to put out a torch is not sand, but put a cap over it (which will also prevent evaporating excess fuel when it's not burning). Most non-hand held torches have a cap next to it.
I know what your trying to say, but you don't understand the heat and flame coming off a torch.
_Do you have sources for the spreading of torch fire through water? Or did you base this on logic?_
The answer to both would be no. It is important to understand *why* such kitchen fireballs happen...
When one throws water on a grease/oil fire in, say a pot or pan, two things come in to play: polarity of molecules and relative density. Water molecules are polar, oil molecules are non-polar. That is why they do not mix - they are trying to stay as far away from each other as they can. Water is also more dense, so the water immediately sinks below the flaming substance oil, and because water absorbs heat very well and a grease fire is very hot, it immediately evaporates. The steam expands explosively, essentially blowing the oil out before it. Result: the fireballs one sees in videos where some idiot throws water onto a grease fire.
The reason a similar such fireball does *_NOT_* happen if one drops or dunks a torch using oil or grease as an accelerant into water has to do with molecule polarity (again) and the structure of the torch itself. Whether it is a heavy wrapping of cloth or a bundle of porous reeds, the torch has to have something for the oil to soak in and cohere to, otherwise it'll just dribble down the handle and set one's hand on fire. With this in mind, also remember that the oil wants to stick with itself and not touch the water. So when a flaming oil torch is dropped into water the oils will "stick with the wick", as it were. With the water surrounding the fuel rather than the fuel surrounding the water, the mechanical pressures on the oil are different than it is when water is dropped into a fire in a pot or pan. So in short, the spectacular fireballs in the aforementioned videos *does not happen.*
If one dunks such a flaming torch _underneath_ water, while there will be some initial steam, robbed of oxygen the fire would very quickly go out. Simple as that.
Now all that is the theory behind it. As for practical experience, I do have some. When I was in Boy Scouts 'lo these many decades ago, we'd the occasional torchlight parade. Now back then we didn't just buy a buttload of tiki-torches from the local home and garden, we made our own torches, and we made them the old fashion way with oil or paraffin wax. Both substances actually contain roughly the same amount of joules per gram. Anyhoo, one learned to make an effective torch. And learning takes trial and error. And when one had to extinguish one's torches, one dunked it in a tub of water.
Sorry for the long post. I hope it was informative. If you've further questions, feel free to ask.
@@HowtoRPG There's actually a lot more to it than that. Suffice it to say, your conjecture is incorrect. I've gone in to detail in my response to Eelco.
@@AlbertaGeek Very informative indeed.
I am not sure if I am having a blonde moment, or what the deal is, but can you explain the "OMG big secret" about torches? I've listened 3 times now to the end of the video. You start to lose me around the Greek fire part. I understand the mechanics of oil fires. I understand the idea of Greek fire (which requires an extreme amount of oil to do). But after that you kind of just ramble on about torches thrown on the ground being unable to be stopped, and (more or less) blocking access almost sounding like a wall of fire. Can you clarify what you mean?
Torches don't just go out by dropping them on the ground or wet ground. Water rarely puts out a torch fire, it can also be dangerous to attempt. If you ever make a real Torch it becomes very clear when extinguishing it, but without a demonstration people refuse to believe me.
@@HowtoRPG Sure, dropping a torch doesn't make it go out. But the fighter that drops it on the ground and pulls out his sword I still don't understand. You make it sound like its a wall of fire that prevents movement. Its just a torch on the ground. It can be stepped over without issue. What am I missing?
@@elizabethw7698 It's not a wall of fire and I didn't say that. But an old fashioned Torch is prone to fire spreading and can be placed in a choke point or force a creature to go around it. The flame from older torches is very large and unpredictable. I discovered this in my backyard one day.
@@HowtoRPG lol, be careful with that. Alright. Well thank you for the clarification. I've watched most/all of your equipment videos now and look forward to new content. Especially uses for spells. Minor Illusion and Phantasmal Force would be fantastic ideas, as they both are low level (most games are L1-5), highly customizable, and for the creative player (fits in your series), very useful.
@@elizabethw7698 You are welcome. Mage Had and Minor Illusion already have videos. There is also the tools series.
does rain make the torch explode in your hand?
No.
If you are evil, you can use it for interrogation, I.e. “torch-ure “
lol
Did I miss how to light a torch in dnd? Action? Tinderbox?
It's in the Player's Handbook.