Underwater fire? Bug or WAD?

[Natpy]

I found that fire shield from Charkoal Shield and "small area fire" from firebrand works fine underwater. Is this a bug or WAD? Anyway Charkoal Shield is realy evil underwater chaffcleaner. I think its wrong.

[Endoperez]

Most fire and fire-based evocations don't work under water. There are no exceptions for weapons that deal fire damage, and that wouldn't be trivial either. I could see fire-shield being weakened under water, and removing it alltogether might also fit.

[ano]

Probably there should be no fire shield under water at all because the spell itself cannot be cast there. So, if Charcoal Shield does provide fireshield underwater, this is definitely a bug.
And the same with Fire brand, I think.

[Micah]

UW combat sucks enough as it is, leave the items alone =)

[ano]

Fire shield underwater is at least strange and unthematic

[Micah]

Ano - It's actually not, if you read the charcoal shield description, which is entirely heat-based and doesn't mention anything about actual flame. Besides, it's magic. The fire brand IS flame based, but again, magic. The entire purpose of the items is to be on fire, I don't find it particularly unthematic that a bit of water fails to stop them from filling their purpose (unlike a mage, who is less single-minded and more prone to fatigue). Anyhow, again, UW combat sucks.

[Wauthan]

Heh, I've no trouble imagining a sword and shield so hot that
they "boil" underwater. After all they burn just fine in the
middle of a snowstorm or pouring rain. What's really
interesting is if they set opponents on fire underwater.
Because that would be an awesome special effect in a future
Dominions movie.

Next you will start to complain about frozen enemies not
floating to the surface.

[Sawyer]

I imagine the analog for setting someone on fire underwater would be trapping them in a cloud of boiling bubbles that for some reason won't just float up to the top.

Killing bubbles!

[Saulot]

Bubbles of Doom.

[Sombre]

Another thread where people who like it the way it is can easily come up with explanations and so can people who would like it changed. As to which are more reasonable,..

I don't mind either way, as long as there's a clear description saying 'Does not work underwater' or 'Even works underwater' if it isn't obvious.