History Main / FireBalls

A [[StockSuperpower common power]] for [[PlayingWithFire pyro-elementalists]], [[FunctionalMagic wizards]], {{psychic|Powers}}s, [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]], and even [[KiManipulation martial artists]]. Fire, in spite of its [[IncendiaryExponent fearsome appeal]], is not known for being tangible or portable. Rolling it into a ball gives it the semblance of a physical structure, and lets you throw it, bounce it and dodge it at will, which are quite desirable traits in VideoGames and tabletop games.

%%* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'': Cure Rouge of ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5GoGo'' and Cure Sunny of ''Anime/SmilePrettyCure'' have fireball attacks.%%Which are?

* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'': Fireball is a staple spell that depending on the game, fires one or a multitude of small burning missiles that deal damage when they hit; the number sometimes increasing with repeated usage. There's also Burn Strike, a bigger DeathFromAbove variant, and Flare Bomb, an explosive [[HomingProjectile seeking]] variant.

* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'': These are Agito's most common attacks, whether in the form of multiple small ones or one huge fireball.

%%* ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'': This is the secondary trademark attack of Lina Inverse. Of course, her primary trademark attack is really just this on massive amounts of steroids.%%This doesn't say what either her "secondary trademark" or her "primary one" are. "On massive amounts of steroids" is not actually descriptive.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighter'':

** ''ComicBook/HumanTorch'': While Johnny Storm mostly uses his power to shoot beams of flame, he sometimes tosses fireballs instead.

Not to be confused with ''Anime/{{Fireball}}'', GreatBallsOfFire or OutrunTheFireball. A SubTrope of EnergyBall and PlayingWithFire. In cases where the fireball is a living thing in its pwn right, see ElementalEmbodiment and EvilLivingFlames.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighter'':
** While the Hadouken is informally called a fireball, it really isn't; it's just a regular [[EnergyBall ball of ki]]. However, Ryu and Akuma can imbue their ki with fire with the Shakunetsu Hadouken (Scorching Hadouken).
** A more direct example is seen in Dhaslim's "Yoga Fire" where he spits a fireball that can engulf his opponent.
** In the Malibu ''[[ComicBook/MalibuComicsStreetFighter Street Fighter]]'' comic, the base Hadouken and Sagat's Tiger Shot were fireballs.

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1296467267099866600
%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.

Fireballs have a tendency to move in an unusual fashion -- possibly hovering or drifting at slow speeds, or by bouncing along the ground. What happens when a fireball impacts is, similarly, entirely up in the air. Maybe [[StuffBlowingUp Stuff Blows Up]], leaving a [[SphereOfDestruction sphere of annihilation]]. Other times, it just puffs out like a harmless burst of wind. Only sometimes does it actually set things on fire.

Not to be confused with ''Anime/{{Fireball}}'', GreatBallsOfFire or [[OutrunTheFireball Outrunning The Fireball]]. A SubTrope of EnergyBall.

[[folder:Anime And Manga]]

* ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'': This is pretty much the secondary trademark attack of Lina Inverse. Of course, her primary trademark attack is really just this on massive amounts of steroids.
* Sasuke in the earlier ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' episodes attacked with a giant fireball. He later makes another version that isn't only solid, but is capable of ''plowing through a stone wall''. His older brother Itachi's version of the same attack looks like a miniature sun.
* [[GenderBender Natsuru]] in ''LightNovel/{{Kampfer}}'' has this as [[strike:his]] ''her'' main offensive power.
* Ace of ''Franchise/OnePiece'' takes this to its biggest proportions in the fight with [[spoiler: Blackbeard.]]

* In the ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' franchise, these are Agito's most common attacks, may it be in the form of multiple small fireballs, or one huge fireball.
* Cure Rouge of ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5GoGo'' and Cure Sunny of ''Anime/SmilePrettyCure'' have fireball attacks.

* In ''Animation/HappyHeroes'', Huo Haha is seen shooting fireballs out of his MagicWand on a couple of occasions to attack the Supermen.

* ComicBook/HumanTorch: When he doen't use his power to shoot a beam of flame, he will toss fireballs instead.
* ''Franchise/XMen'': When fighting, Sunfire is prone to alternate fireballs with streams of flame.
* ''ComicBook/MalibuComicsStreetFighter'' have the famous Hadouken and Sagat's Tiger Shot, which now appears to literally be made of fire as opposed to energy, although it is called a fireball in the game community as well.
* In ''ComicBook/CourtneyCrumrinAndTheNightThings'', fireball spells are Courtney's main method of offense.
* In ''ComicBook/SupermanFamily'' #168, ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} fights "Lemon-Lips" Romero, a wannabe sorcerer who, among other things, can summon and hurl around man-sized fireballs.
* In ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' storyline ''ComicBook/TwoForTheDeathOfOne'', one of the spells used by Syrene to delay Lord Satanis while she carries out her scheme are giant, red fireballs which leave a trail of orange blazes in their wake.

* "Here, Scarecrow! Wanna play ball?" from ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''. Yep, the idea of a hurled fireball [[OlderThanTelevision has been with us for a while now]].
* Belying its VideoGame origins, the ending of the final showdown of the Film/MortalKombatTheMovie has Liu Kang hurling a five inch version of one in order to blast [[BigBad Shang Tsung]] into the SpikesOfDoom. (Compare with Dan from the StreetFighter games.)
* In the extended cut of ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing'', Saruman throws one of these at the heroes when he is trapped in Orthanc.

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': Despite the entire purpose of wizardry being to ''not'' use magic, the Dean has an enormous enthusiasm for throwing fireballs at things, and Ridcully has been known to do so as well. [[WordOfGod Pratchett]] has stated fireballs are one of the few acts of magic he'll let wizards get away with these days.

** Harry Dresden uses these on occasion, although mostly for intimidation. In combat he uses focused rays of fire. He also complained, during a roleplaying session, that the fireball in the game didn't behave realistically, as its area of destruction was a perfect sphere and didn't take convection into account.
** Wizards in general tend to prefer fire when it comes to offensive magic. What ''kind'' of fire they use is up to personal preference--heat rays, fireballs, and small mortars are all mentioned.
* In ''Literature/TheMagicians'', one of the first battle spells our heroes learn is fireball.
* Wizard's Fire in ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'' series. Literally an enormous sphere of liquid fire, almost napalm-like.
* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', fireballs are a basic form of attack used preferentially against Shadowspawn. Most Aes Sedai and Wise Ones can throw them, having different techniques for doing so. The Asha'man, on the other hand, are trained specifically for combat, and use far more effective measures, like an expanding wall of flame and molten earth. The Dragon Reborn even teaches some of them how to make exploding fireballs that act almost like grenades.

* In ''Literature/TheQuestOfTheUnaligned'', Laeshana summons a fireball for use as a light source when the party is trapped in a cave. Later, we see the villain throw fireballs at Alaric.
* In ''Literature/RiversOfLondon'', Peter has been taught this (a combination of ''lux'' [light] with some other spells and an adjective that lets it be thrown) , but prefers to use a simple ''impello'' (pushing) spell in combat -- he'd rather knock an opponent off their feet to be arrested than incinerate them. Despite this, and Nightingale's admonitions about unnecessary experimentation, he's been trying to create a homing version, but has thus far only produced a ''lux'' that buzzes around erratically.

* ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}''. If demons aren't using fireballs, they're chucking {{Energy Ball}}s.
* ''{{Series/Buffy|TheVampireSlayer}}'' didn't often use these, and in fact, Wesley's attempt to launch one in the ''{{Series/Angel}}'' series finale was intercepted by the target, an old warlock with one foot in the grave, who simply sucked the fireball into his own palm and let it dissipate.

* ''Franchise/PowerRangers''/''Franchise/SuperSentai'' Plenty of fireballs get thrown around.
* [[MagicFromTechnology Galen]] sometimes makes fireballs in ''Series/{{Crusade}}''. In fact, he does it twice in one episode. First, to get Eilerson's attention (nothing like a fist-sized fireball two inches from your face to get you to shut up for a second). When Eilerson stops talking, Galen opens his coat, and has the fireball fly in. It's left to the interpretation whether it was an illusion or not. The second time is when he, angry at [[spoiler:the telepathic alien]], generates a fireball and prepares to throw it, before [[TheCaptain Gideon]] intervenes, claiming that Galen is not a murderer. Anyone who has read ''The Passing of the Techno Mages'' trilogy knows better.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': In contrast to their [[Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire book]] counterparts, whose magic is more subtle, the Children of the Forest in the show can apparently cast fireballs. They behave more or less like the famous ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' spell: a small fiery bead that whizzes toward the target and explodes on impact into a ball of flame.

* ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'': Hera killed Hercules' family with balls of fire from the sky, and he called them "fireballs" at least once.

* The evil genie in ''Pinball/TalesOfTheArabianNights'' throws these (in the form of pinballs) at the player.
* In ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombiesPinball'', the Torchwood Pea turns pinballs into these.
* Appears in Creator/{{Bally}}'s classic ''Pinball/{{Fireball}}'', of course.
* The Wicked Witch attacks with these in ''Pinball/TheWizardOfOz''[='s=] Fireball Mode.

* An old trick not seen much in shows later than 1998, [[Wrestling/EdFarhat the original Sheik]], Wrestling/JerryLawler and Wrestling/JimCornette all did it. The closest thing to a famous post Wrestling/{{WCW}} example would be Wrestling/{{Kane}}, though even then he did it rarely after the demise of the company. It is more popular in some regions than others, such as El Mega Triple Campeon de Wrestling/{{AAA}} throwing fireballs around Mexico and the Caribbean but not making much mark in the continental USA, where his use of them in Wrestling/WrestlingSocietyX killed the promotion's tv deal when it upset MTV executives. The effects of a fireball range from burn marks to {{temporary blindness}} to [[ManOnFire instant blazes]]. They are considered a cheat during matches but can be used for "heroic" actions in other circumstances, such as when a baby {{face}} is cornered by multiple enemies or protecting a charge.
** The reason why fireballs fell out of favor in North America is due to a notorious botch in the match between Wrestling/HulkHogan and Wrestling/UltimateWarrior at the 1998 Halloween Havoc PPV. The match was supposed to end with Hogan throwing a fireball into Warrior's face, but Hogan took forever to get the trick ready, leading to several awkward moments as he fumbled around trying to light the flash paper. Then when he finally succeeded, the flash paper burnt up too quickly and the fireball went off in Hogan's face, singeing his eyebrows and beard. Overnight, the trick's credibility was completely dead.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': Fireball is perhaps the definitive Sorcerer/Wizard spell, having been carried over into all editions of the game. The spell shoots a "glowing, pea-sized bead" that explodes upon impact into a gigantic sphere of flame (the actual "fireball"), doing nasty damage over a twenty-foot radius, making it the first ranged AOE damage spell that Magic Users can cast. There's also Flaming Sphere, a 10' wide ball of fire that rolled around on the ground at the caster's will. And then there's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Delayed Blast Fireball]] and [[UpToEleven Meteor Swarm]]. Non-core improvements include things like Fallion's Fabulous Fireball (runs a programmed path), Teleport Fireball or Symkalr's Forest (does not affect plant matter) / Friendly (e.g. don't burn elves) / Unfriendly (e.g. burn only orcs) / Deathbane (undead-only, but bypassing usual fire protections) Fireball spells that all cause the same damage as a basic fireball, but snuffs any fires they created.
* Taken further in [[ComicStrip/KnightsOfTheDinnerTable Hackmaster]], which has multiple Fireball spells for every spell level.
* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' has [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=221550 Fireball]] as the ''iconic'' red direct damage card. It has been reprinted in some form in most sets and was part of one of ''Magic''[='s=] earliest GameBreaker combos - the CastFromHitPoints based [[https://www.mtgvault.com/superdave644/decks/channel-fireball/ Channel Fireball]] Deck.
* An effective spell in ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}: Magic'' that will set many things on fire. It gives access to the more powerful Explosive Fireball spell.
* And a popular way of turning flammable nearby objects into flaming and exploding nearby objects in ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}''. Early versions of the game had it as a normalish spell; later ones split 'elemental' magic off.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' has a fireball spell. It's the signature spell in its lore, meaning any and all wizards using that law can have it.
* Just one of the many Blast spells used by sorcerers in TabletopGame/FengShui.
* The German role-playing game ''Midgard'' features a version that can explode for fairly significant damage for a game that normally goes out of its way to try to avert the "magic as fantasy artillery" trope...with the slight drawbacks being that the fireball manifests right next to the caster, floats through the air at a ''very'' sedate pace (about one foot per second), and can go off prematurely if its creator's concentration is disrupted before it has reached its intended position.

* In ''Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'', during one of the confrontations between Raoul and the Phantom, the Phantom shoots fireballs out of his staff at Raoul.

* Voldemort in ''Ride/HarryPotterAndTheEscapeFromGringotts'' at Ride/UniversalStudios attempts to torture the riders with a skull-shaped fireball, but is thwarted by the main characters.

* ''VideoGame/{{Warlords}}'', a 1980 Atari game, had the players trying to break down each other's forts with fireballs - put into play by a flying dragon - which could be bounced off the players' shields and even ''caught'' on them, but would blast bricks out of a wall.
-->There be warlords of brawn and might\\
Defending their crowns of gold;\\
Beware the power of The Black Knight,\\
A power-hungry foe!\\
The dragons spit their fireballs:\\
Warlords! Hold up your shields!\\
'Tis time to protect your castle walls\\
Until The Black Knight yields.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' series loves this trope -- fireballs are used in many different varieties by many different characters and monsters, up to and including the Big D himself. [[AllThereInTheManual The manual]] explains that fire is the easiest element to conjure magically, because it's essentially molecular chaos. Simply flood the environment with magic and fire is the usual result. Forming that into a cohesive ball and projecting it is apparently the next easiest trick.
* ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'' provides it as one of the most basic parts of the Mage's arsenal and is one of their only options for causing splash damage. It's quickly outclassed, and is thus learned mostly for the sake of gaining access to better spells.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' series, as a Mage spell that does prodigious splash damage.
* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' has a fireball spell. It can also be used to set stuff (that is, the ''Grease'' spell) on fire.
** Fireball itself is a bread-and-butter spell for any mage. Wide area of effect, deals good damage on impact, then deals damage over time ''and'' has a knockdown effect? Hells ''yes'' we want it. The only drawback is you have to use two other spell slots for the lackluster Flame Blast and Flaming Weapon spells to get it.
* The ''VideoGame/EyeOfTheBeholder'' series (which was based on the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' rules) had not only the spell itself, but also traps that would launch a Fireball at the unlucky victim.

** [[PlayingWithFire Fire-based magic]] is a staple of the Destruction school of magic throughout the series, [[ElementalPowers rounding out]] the FireIceLightning trio with [[AnIcePerson Frost]] and [[ShockAndAwe Shock]] magic. The most basic form of a ranged fire spell is a simple fireball. More powerful versions exist, giving the fireball greater damage and/or a larger AreaOfEffect explosion.

* The Flame Dart spell in the ''VideoGame/QuestForGlory'' series of RPG / AdventureGame hybrids.
* In one ''VideoGame/GoldenSun: The Lost Age'' lighthouse, there are several traps that consist of an obstacle-ridden hallway you need to navigate while a statue periodicaly hurls ginormous fireballs at you that cause damage and send you back to the beginning of the hallway.
** There are also several Psynergy that use fireballs: "Fire" and its upgrades, "Fireball" and "Inferno"; "Juggle" and its upgrades, "Heat Juggle" and "Fiery Juggle"; and "Raging Heat" and its upgrades, "Fiery Abyss" and "Dire Inferno."

* Averted in ''VideoGame/NetHack'': its 'fireball' spell simply creates several fiery explosions.
* In some ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games and related Creator/SquareEnix games, the fire/fira/firaga spells are represented by fireballs, although most games they are more of summoning flames at the target destination. Other spells may or may not count as well, again on a game by game basis.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', Fire, and Fira are summoning flames at the feet of the target, but Firaga summons a condensed ball of fire that crashes into the target and explodes.
** In ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'', the Fire/Fira/Firaga spells shoots medium sized fireballs, in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' Cloud's Fire/Fira/Friaga spells take the same form, rather than the pillar of flame the spells took on in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''
*** Also from the ''Dissidia'' games, [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI Terra's]] Fire attack has her launch a fireball, which, interestingly, homes while clinging to the ground.[[note]]In the prequel, this attack can link to an explosive Firaga HP attack if it connects[[/note]] Kefka's fire-based attacks also take the form of {{Roboteching}} fireballs, and the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII Onion Knight's]] Firaga attack has him launch a fireball in an arc that explodes for HP damage upon connection (3 at once if he's in his Sage SuperMode).
** In most ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' games, Fire/Fira/Firaga are homing fireballs. There's also Mega Flare, a large fireball that nukes everything in sight when it explodes, and Firaga Burst, a gigantic fireball that shoots over a dozen smaller ones at nearby targets.
*** In ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2'', the fire spells are, in order of Fire to Firaga, a homing fireball, a non-homing fireball, and an exploding napalm ball.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' has Fire spells form one half of the BlackMage[='s=] main offensive repetoire, the other half being [[AnIcePerson Blizzard spells]]. Their playstyle revolves around switching between Astra Fire and Umbral Ice [[StanceSystem stances]]: Astral Fire increases Fire spells' attack power and MP cost, while Umbral Ice trades off attack power for MP regeneration. RedMage[=s=] also have a fireball in the form of the Verfire spell.
* The Flame Core Psych acts as this in ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', with the added bonus of being a PinballProjectile that can bounce off of the screen and enemies for additional damage.
* ''VideoGame/BlackSigil'''s [[BlackMagicianGirl Aurora]] has spells that are along the line of {{Fireballs}}, More Fireballs, and [[UpToEleven Really Big Fireballs]].
* Fireball in the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' is a staple spell that depending on the game, fires one or a multitude of small burning missiles that deal damage when they hit; the number sometimes increasing with repeated usage. There's also Burn Strike, a bigger DeathFromAbove variant, and Flare Bomb, an explosive [[HomingProjectile seeking]] variant.
* Surprisingly averted in the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' games. While there are a whole host of energy balls in-game (including a move called EnergyBall that is Grass-type and a ''Steel-type'' energy ball called Flash Cannon), there is no 80 power ball-shaped Fire-type move.
** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' introduced the move Searing Shot, a signature move of the expected Mew counterpart Victini, which has an impressive 100 base power. And if you look at it, Ember might count as well (the user shoots many tiny balls of fire at the opponent).
** ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'' gives us an actual fireball in Pyro Ball, Cinderace's signature move. Bonus points for using its feet to heat the pebble that serves as the projectile's core, and its 120 base power surpasses Searing Shot.
* ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'': The [[MagicFromTechnology so called "Tech Power"]] Incinerate is this in all but name.
* The ''VideoGame/StarOcean'' series has this as a basic fire spell. At higher levels, it can split into 3 separate fireballs, dealing greater damage.
* In ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'', one of the first powers gained by the fire spirit Salamander is this. The fireballs get larger at higher levels.
* ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'': A good way to 'lockpick' for the impatient. Oh and useful against enemies I guess.
* Mages in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' can shoot fireballs, as well as Pyroblasts, fireball's larger slower cousin. Warlocks also get Incinerate (an unusual-looking fireball with a snakelike movement pattern), [[PoweredByAForsakenChild Soul Fire]], and [[TechnicolorFire Chaos Bolt]]. There are a great number of other fire spells, but most of them don't use an EnergyBall form.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'': Just punch a brick ceiling, grab a flower half the size of your body, and change into white overalls. Or just blow it out of your mouth if you're a plant, a turtle or a dinosaur. (Some of these fireballs bounce along the ground, while others just drift through the air.) Fireball creatures known as Podoboos are also known to hang out in lava pits, and some of their cousins just float around in mid-air.
** These powers are also used by the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' versions of these characters. Mario's are pretty much the same as in his own games, whereas Luigi's go in a straight line (defying gravity) and are green.
** Conversely, fireballs are ''enemies'' in the original ''Mario Brothers'' game. Despite being fire, if you're really lucky, you can kill it by hitting the ground under one.
* The Curry powerup in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' allows you to spit a constant tri-directional stream of fireballs at your enemies.
* OlderThanTheNES with ''VideoGame/MarioBros'' and its wavy fireballs.
* Fireballs tend to be blown at you by Zo(l/r)as, statues, burning eyeballs and such in the early ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games. A spell in ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' lets you toss them around with your sword, which was the [[KillItWithFire only way to damage]] certain enemies.
* ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' features a fireball gun. The fireballs, of course, bounce along the ground.
* These show up as enemy projectiles in ''VideoGame/GunstarHeroes'', too.
* A fireball is a standard projectile in ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} 3''. There's also a spell that hurls a fireball to stun a target.
* While the famous Hadouken from ''VideoGame/StreetFighter'' is informally called a fireball, it really isn't; it's just a regular [[EnergyBall ball of ki]]. However, Ryu and Akuma can imbue their ki with fire with the Shakunetsu Hadouken (Scorching Hadouken).
** A more direct example is seen in Dhaslim's "Yoga Fire" where he spits a fireball that can engulf his opponent.
** In the Malibu ''[[ComicBook/MalibuComicsStreetFighter Street Fighter]]'' comic, the base Hadouken and Sagat's Tiger Shot were fireballs.
* VideoGame/{{Kirby}} can turn himself into one, or spit them out, when he gets the right ability.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' series has violas and multiviolas, which are fireball ''creatures''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Purple}}'' has a power-up that lets you throw destructive ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros''-like fireballs that can melt frost-blocks.
* The "Gouenken" spell from ''VideoGame/{{Bujingai}}''. Starts with a relatively small ball and end up with a miniature sun in level 3.
* Dracula in ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' uses fireballs as his main attack in most games and besides ol' Drac - there are the bone pillar enemies, fishmen in some versions and etc that will spit fireballs at you. In some games, you can get variants of this ability.
* Castlevania-spiritual successor ''VideoGame/BloodstainedRitualOfTheNight'', Miriam can absorb abilities from the demons she faces. Among them are Flame Cannon and 8-bit Fireball which hurl a salvo of fireballs.
* Imps in the ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' series love throwing fireballs at you. Cacodemons spit them at you. Hell Knights and Barons of Hell hurl green fireballs that hurt a lot more. And Mancubi and Revenants shoot fireballs at you that act a lot like rockets -- and the Revenant's have the ability to home in on you like a heatseeker.
* ''VideoGame/{{Albion}}'' has them in the form of spells, as well as parts of dungeon traps and puzzles. When seeing them, the resident scientist is left wondering what holds them together and speculates that the planet is intentionally {{troll}}ing psysicits.
* In ''VideoGame/JoeAndMac'', players can throw fireballs to incinerate enemies.
* ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'' has ''Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon's Keep'', where one of the special grenade mods is called Fireball. As expected, instead of a grenade, your character fires a flaming ball that explodes on contact an enemy or terrain. Unfortunately, it's also a PainfullySlowProjectile. LeadTheTarget!
* In keeping with its goofy and incredibly nonsensical tone, especially [[HolidayMode around the holidays]], ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' has the Helltower magic spells for Scream Fortress 2013. One of the most common ones is the fireball spell, which allows any player to fire a [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience team-colored]] flaming blast that behaves much like a rocket. The Meteor Shower spell is somewhat similar, but instead of simply damaging or igniting a target, it transforms into an AreaOfEffect HerdHittingAttack that rains actual explosive fireballs in the immediate area.
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' has the Fireball element, the tier 1 Red attack. A ball of flame appears, and launches three fireballs before launching itself. The tier 2 Magma Bomb works similarly.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Faria}}'', fireballs are stationary, invincible hazards that appear completely at random in some tower rooms.
* A fairly common bullet type in ''Videogame/{{Touhou}}'', and one that's gone through a few variations. First ''Embodiment of Scarlet Devil'' had ugly spiked ball looking things. Then ''Imperishable Night'' introduced an oddly liquid looking substitute that had an unclear hitbox and was a pain to dodge. Then ''Mountain of Faith'' introduced spheres with animated auras, of which warm-colored versions work well for fire.

** The first ''Shantae'' game had Fire Balls that worked like improved [[SpikyBallsOfDoom pike balls]], revolving around Shantae at a faster rate to protect her from enemies.

* ''VideoGame/BraveHeroYuusha'': Flickerflames have a Fireball spell.
* ''VideoGame/BlackAndWhite'': There's the offensive Miracle 'Fireball'.
* ''VideoGame/MarvelPuzzleQuest'': The Uncommon Character: Human Torch (Johnny Storm)'s Fireball ability:
--> Johnny hurls a fistful of flame, torching the opponent.
* When you have Phoenix, Crystal and eventually the Human Torch in ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance3TheBlackOrder'', you can expect some epic-sized fireballs to be hurled.
* ''VideoGame/DarkCastle'' has always featured fireballs. In the 3rd game, Merlin will give you the fireball spell, cue the flaming death of mooks.
* Kalypso Media's ''Elements of War'' is set TwentyMinutesInTheFuture, where humanity has the technology to manipulate weather. One such futuristic unit is the F1-BL Fireball, a helicopter that can shoot fireballs at ground enemies.
* In ''VideoGame/WarhammerDarkOmen'', even before you get your first wizard your warband has someone capable of shooting fireballs. The commander Morgan Bernhardt is the proud owner of [[CoolSword Grudgebringer, a magical sword that's been enchanted to cast the fireball spell]].
* In ''Gemstone Warrior'' and its sequel ''Gemstone Healer'' from SSI if you want to scratch your enemies, shoot them with your crossbow. If you want them dead, use a [[OneHitKill fireball on them]]. Unfortunately your supply of fireballs is very limited and finding them in the underworld is rare.
* Creator/{{Capcom}} had ''VideoGame/MagicSword'' where the second last weapon the heroes can pick up is the Flame Sword which can shoot powerful fireballs.
* ''VideoGame/DragonsCrown'', both the Wizard and Sorceress have abilities that let them shoot fireballs. If the Elf has learned Elemental Lore and is standing near a source of fire (such as a torch in hand), she can shoot fireballs as well.
* Main character, Areus in ''VideoGame/TrinitySoulsOfZillOll'' can hurl medium-ranged fireballs as a skill from the Rune Fighter class.
* ''VideoGame/GianaSistersDS'': Punk Giana has the power to shoot red fireballs at enemies.
* The ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy'' series: A staple fire spell for Natalie is literally called "Fireball".

* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Elliot and Justin fight a fire summon that spits fireballs. These fireballs are more like grenades than anything else though and have more explosive punch than heat.
* ''Webcomic/IrregularWebcomic'' has a character [[GrimReaper Death by Insanely Overpowered Fireballs]], and of course:
-->'''Kyros:''' [[CatchPhrase channeling mana...]]
* Vaarsuvius from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' casts Fireball quite often. During the Battle of Azure City, [[BigBad Xykon]] casts its big brother Meteor Swarm at [[BaldBlackLeaderGuy Roy]], [[spoiler: leading to Roy's death]].
* Prestige from ''Webcomic/RustyAndCo'' can throw them. Eventually. She'll save it for a suitable time.
* In ''Webcomic/FriendshipIsDragons'', [[http://friendshipisdragons.thecomicseries.com/comics/219 Twilight is annoyed with the Poison Joke]].

* In ''Webcomic/YokokasQuest'', Mao's primary use of magic in combat is to throw fireballs. He also [[IneffectualDeathThreats tries to scare Yin away with a fireball]] as a child.

* In the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', mage Fey has cast these, although only at opponents it wouldn't kill or disfigure. The crazed pyrokinetic Fireball didn't have any such qualms.

* The fire-benders in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' and ''WesternAnimation/LegendOfKorra'' can produce these, among other fire-manipulation tricks. They're usually emitted through the hands and feet during punches and kicks.

A [[StockSuperpower common power]] for [[PlayingWithFire pyro-elementalists]], [[FunctionalMagic wizards]], {{psychic|Powers}}s, [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]], {{Man Eating Plant}}s, and even [[KiManipulation martial artists]]. Fire, in spite of its [[IncendiaryExponent fearsome appeal]], is not known for being tangible or portable. Rolling it into a ball gives it the semblance of a physical structure, and lets you throw it, bounce it and dodge it at will, which are quite desirable traits in VideoGames and tabletop games.

** Conversely, these are ''enemies'' in the original Mario Brothers game. Despite being fire, if you're really lucky, you can kill it by hitting the ground under one.

* [[MagicFromTechnology Galen]] sometimes makes fireballs in ''Series/{{Crusade}}''. In fact, he does it twice in one episode. First, to get Eilerson's attention (nothing like a fist-sized fireball two inches from your face to get you to shut up for a second). When Eilerson stops talking, Galen opens his coat, and has the fireball fly in. It's left to the interpretation whether it was an illusion or not. The second time is when he, angry at [[spoiler:the telepathic alien]], generates a fireball and prepares to throw it, before [[TheCaptain Gideon]] intervenes, claiming that Galen is not a murderer. Anyone who has read ''[=ThePassingOfTheTechnoMages=]'' trilogy knows better.

* [[MagicFromTechnology Galen]] sometimes makes fireballs in ''Series/{{Crusade}}''. In fact, he does it twice in one episode. First, to get Eilerson's attention (nothing like a fist-sized fireball two inches from your face to get you to shut up for a second). When Eilerson stops talking, Galen opens his coat, and has the fireball fly in. It's left to the interpretation whether it was an illusion or not. The second time is when he, angry at [[spoiler:the telepathic alien]], generates a fireball and prepares to throw it, before [[TheCaptain Gideon]] intervenes, claiming that Galen is not a murderer. Anyone who has read ''ThePassingOfTheTechnoMages'' trilogy knows better.

* The ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy'' series: A staple fire spell of Player 2, a.k.a Natalie. Usually called the singular, and part of her BlackMagic, a.k.a [=BMagic=] set:
** ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy1'': She's called Player 2 here:
---> Hits the enemy of moderate '''Fire''' damage.
** ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy2'': She's called Player 2 here:
---> Basic Fire magic.\\
May lower foe's magic defense\\
'''Power''': 70
'''Accuracy''': 110
'''Element''': 100% Fire

* An old trick not seen much in shows later than 1998, [[Wrestling/EdFarhat the original Sheik]], Wrestling/JerryLawler and Wrestling/JimCornette all did it. The closest thing to a famous post Wrestling/{{WCW}} example would be Wrestling/{{Kane}}, though even then he did it rarely after the demise of the company. It is more popular in some regions than others, such as El Mega Triple Campeon de Wrestling/{{AAA}} throwing fireballs around Mexico and the Caribbean but not making much mark in the continental USA, where his use of them in Wrestling/WrestlingSocietyX killed the promotion's tv deal when it upset MTV executives. The effects of a fireball range from burn marks to {{temporary blindness}} to [[ManOnFire instant blazes]]. They are considered a cheat during matches but can be used for "heroic" actions in other circumstances, such as when a baby {{face}} is cornered by multiple enemies or protecting a charge.[[/folder]]

* Belying its VideoGame origins, the ending of the final showdown of the VideoGame/MortalKombat movie has Liu Kang hurling a five inch version of one in order to blast [[BigBad Shang Tsung]] into the SpikesOfDoom. (Compare with Dan from the StreetFighter games.)

* ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy1'': Player 2 has a Fireball spell:
--> Hits the enemy of moderate '''Fire''' damage.

->'''Genkai:''' Hm... I think I've seen this technique before...
->'''Botan:''' You mean like Shorin might have stolen that technique from some psychic?
->'''Genkai:''' No that's not it. I'm just saying he's throwing fireballs. It's a very cliche anime technique.

* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' has Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon's Keep, where one of the special grenade mods is called Fireball. As expected, instead of a grenade, your character fires a flaming ball that explodes on contact an enemy or terrain. Unfortunately, it's also a PainfullySlowProjectile. LeadTheTarget!

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': Fireball is perhaps the definitive Sorcerer/Wizard spell, having been carried over into all editions of the game. the spell shoots a "glowing, pea-sized bead" that explodes upon impact into a gigantic sphere of flame (the actual "fireball"), doing nasty damage over a twenty-foot radius, making it the first ranged AOE damage spell that Magic Users can cast. There's also Flaming Sphere, a 10' wide ball of fire that rolled around on the ground at the caster's will. And then there's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Delayed Blast Fireball]] and [[UpToEleven Meteor Swarm]]. Non-core improvements include things like Fallion's Fabulous Fireball (runs a programmed path), Teleport Fireball or Symkalr's Forest (does not affect plant matter) / Friendly (e.g. don't burn elves) / Unfriendly (e.g. burn only orcs) / Deathbane (undead-only, but bypassing usual fire protections) Fireball spells that all cause the same damage as a basic fireball, but snuffs any fires they created.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': Fireball is a signature spell carried over into all editions of the game. the spell shoots a "glowing, pea-sized bead" that explodes upon impact into a gigantic sphere of flame (the actual "fireball"), doing nasty damage over a twenty-foot radius, making it the first ranged AOE damage spell that Magic Users can cast. There's also Flaming Sphere, a 10' wide ball of fire that rolled around on the ground at the caster's will. And then there's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Delayed Blast Fireball]] and [[SpamAttack Meteor Swarm]]. Non-core improvements include things like Fallion's Fabulous Fireball (runs a programmed path), Teleport Fireball or Symkalr's Forest (does not affect plant matter) / Friendly (e.g. don't burn elves) / Unfriendly (e.g. burn only orcs) / Deathbane (undead-only, but bypassing usual fire protections) Fireball spells that all cause the same damage as a basic fireball, but snuffs any fires they created.

* Fireballs tend to be blown at you by Zo(l/r)as, statues, burning eyeballs and such in the early ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games. A spell in ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' lets you toss them around with your sword.

* Vaarsuvius from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' casts Fireball quite often.

--->There be warlords of brawn and might\\

* ''Warlords'', a 1980 Atari game, had the players trying to break down each other's forts with fireballs - put into play by a flying dragon - which could be bounced off the players' shields and even ''caught'' on them, but would blast bricks out of a wall.
--->There be warlords of brawn and might
--->Defending their crowns of gold;
--->Beware the power of The Black Knight,
--->A power-hungry foe!
--->The dragons spit their fireballs:
--->Warlords! Hold up your shields!
--->'Tis time to protect your castle walls
--->Until The Black Knight yields.

Fireballs have a tendency to move in an unusual fashion - possibly hovering or drifting at slow speeds, or by bouncing along the ground. What happens when a fireball impacts is, similarly, entirely up in the air. Maybe [[StuffBlowingUp Stuff Blows Up]], leaving a [[SphereOfDestruction sphere of annihilation]]. Other times, it just puffs out like a harmless burst of wind. Only sometimes does it actually set things on fire.

* ''{{LightNovel/Slayers}}'': This is pretty much the secondary trademark attack of Lina Inverse.
** Of course, her primary trademark attack is really just this on massive amounts of steroids.

* When they don't use their powers to shoot a beam of flame, guys like ComicBook/HumanTorch and [[ComicBook/UncannyXMen Sunfire]] will toss fireballs instead.

[[folder:Comic Strips]]
* Recap/TintinTheSevenCrystalBalls: In this story a ball of lightning crashes through the chimney during a storm inside the household and spins around across the room, causing grief damage to certain characters' clothers and even causing Professor Calculus to spin around too while sitting in his chair. Then the lightning ball crashes into a Inca mummy behind glass, causing it to explode without a trace.
[[/folder]]

* Harry Dresden, of ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', uses these on occasion, although mostly for intimidation. In combat he uses focused rays of fire. He also complained, during a roleplaying session, that the fireball in the game didn't behave realistically, as its area of destruction was a perfect sphere and didn't take convection into account.

* ''ComicBook/FirePower'' involves a hidden Shaolin sect that has the [[SupernaturalMartialArts unique skill of generating heat]]. The height of this martial art is the ability to throw a fireball, something that hasn't been done in decades.

* ''ComicBook/FirePower'' involves a hidden Shaolin sect that has the [[SupernaturalMartialArts unique skill of throwing fireballs]].