A 3-foot-long, blazing beam of red-hot fire springs forth from the character's hand. The character wields this bladelike beam as if it were a scimitar. Attacks with the flame blade are melee touch attacks. The blade deals 1d8 points of damage +1 point per two caster levels (maximum +10). Since the blade is immaterial, the character's Strength modifier does not apply to the damage, which is all fire damage. The flame blade can ignite combustible materials such as parchment, straw, dry sticks, and cloth. It can harm any creature who is harmed by magical fire.
The spell does not function underwater.