All Questions
470
questions
2
votes
1
answer
104
views
Can you counter a spell through wall of force? [duplicate]
The party wizard has cast a hemispherical wall of force to trap the evil sorcerer and isolate him from the battle. The sorcerer however knows dimension door, and tries to cast it to escape. Can the ...
- 129k
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What does a player learn when their spell fails for a hidden reason?
(this is effectively this Q&A, but for 5th edition)
Sometimes, a player may try to cast a spell on something, or someone, that is not a valid target or cannot be affected by the spell. Whether it ...
- 9,840
15
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What happens when you target a dead creature with Scrying?
In 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons, the spell Scrying is described, in part, as follows:
You can see and hear a particular creature you choose that is on the same plane of existence as you. The ...
- 4,607
4
votes
2
answers
394
views
Does being in the same space as a swarm reduce the chance of being hit by an attack?
I'm running the Curse of Strahd adventure for DnD 5e.
The party is fighting Baba Lysaga, who already has 3/4 cover, giving her +5 AC as she flies on a skull.
I was thinking about adding Swarms of ...
- 49
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
If a secondary target of the Chain Lightning spell casts Hellish Rebuke as a reaction, who does it target?
In D&D 5e, if the secondary target of the Chain Lightning spell (one of the 3) casts Hellish Rebuke as a Reaction, is Hellish Rebuke resolved against Chain Lightning's first target (the original ...
- 129
7
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How would I deal with an enemy that intends to camp underground until I die from the environment as a level 12 fairy wizard?
This ties in to my previous question, where the answer was that I can't target them with a spell because the ground acts as full cover.
The context for this question is that my enemy (another player) ...
- 1,665
3
votes
1
answer
958
views
Can I use the Guiding Bolt spell to attack a creature that burrowed underground where I can't see them?
Recently, I was in a 4-player level 12 free-for-all, and one of the other characters transformed into an earth elemental and burrowed underground, meaning I couldn't see them. This is an afterthought, ...
- 1,665
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can you cast a Wall of Force into water?
In our current game, we are contemplating to cast a wall of force into a canal that is set into a dungeon corridor, to block the flow of water (which is powering some turbine-like contrivances we want ...
- 129k
8
votes
1
answer
931
views
Can the Hold Person spell target an Eladrin NPC?
In D&D 5th edition, can the Hold Person spell affect an Eladrin NPC?
The Hold Person spell specifically targets "humanoids". Meanwhile, the (NPC/monster) stat blocks for Eladrin say that ...
- 357
2
votes
0
answers
78
views
Do hostiles have advantage when attacking friendly affected by self-casted faerie fire? [duplicate]
I have a rather simple question. Suppose I cast faerie fire and a friendly is in the target cube at that time and thus affected, do hostiles have advantage when attacking it?
I believe the PHB's spell ...
- 121
5
votes
2
answers
275
views
What to do when I shoot a target without AC at long range?
I'm creating some D&D 5e homebrew items based on the magic seeds from Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Ages. Similar to the Sling Bullets of Althemone from the Theros handbook, they're sling bullets with ...
- 53
11
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Can a College of Swords bard use the Slashing Flourish option to apply a Smite spell to all creatures in range?
The description of the Wrathful Smite spell says (PHB, p. 289):
The next time you hit with a melee weapon attack during this spell's
duration, your attack deals an extra 1d6 psychic damage. ...
- 111
-1
votes
1
answer
244
views
What are some use cases for attack rolls that target a location? [closed]
In D&D 5e, a location is effectively a space in a place or a point on a map, as opposed to constituting a discrete object (a location can be a point in midair, for instance). They are defined ...
- 1,089
0
votes
2
answers
449
views
If a net is 10×10, can it hit four medium creatures, by RAW?
This whole question assumes that the canonical Net weapon used for immobilizing a Large creature, is 10ft across; if your answer is based on a presumption that a net weapon isn't 10ft across, please ...
- 1,089
9
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Does casting Dispel Magic on the Illusion created by a Mislead spell also end the Mislead's invisibility?
The Mislead spell has two effects: It creates an illusory copy of the caster that lasts for the duration (concentration, up to 1 hour), and it makes the caster invisible (same conditions as the ...
- 2,222
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
If you're mounted and forced to make a melee attack, do you attack your mount?
I'm a new DM running a 5e combat encounter in which the NPC attacker is mounted on a Riding Horse.
One of the players' characters has just cast Confusion, which indicates that
Each creature in a 10-...
- 779
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can I shoot or use spells from one room to another?
Can I shoot or use spells from one room to another? I can see my opponents through an open door that is between the rooms. My DM told me I could not do that.
- 137
20
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Does Chain Lightning deal damage to its original target first?
When Chain Lightning deals damage, does it deal damage to all targets at once, or does it's original target takes damage first? I ask this question because after damage was taken concentration checks ...
- 460
2
votes
0
answers
45
views
Clarification on spells that require the caster to see the target vs those that don't [duplicate]
Some spells like Command specify that you need to see your target:
You speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range.
Some other spells like Animate Objects don't specify that you ...
- 1,093
5
votes
3
answers
407
views
When and how can targets be chosen for concentration spells such as Fly or Invisibility?
Spells like fly or invisibility have a casting time of 1 action and a range of touch. The spells are worded so that you touch a creature and they can either fly or become invisible with limits up to ...
- 67
8
votes
2
answers
735
views
How easy is it to pinpoint someone's location when you can't see them?
Let's say a Darkness spell is casted on a specific point:
Magical darkness spreads from a point you choose within range to fill a 15-foot-radius sphere for the duration. The darkness spreads around ...
- 21.3k
5
votes
1
answer
578
views
Can a Tricksy fey from the Summon Fey spell place a cube of darkness partially on an enemy, so allies can still target what’s visible at advantage?
The summon fey spell (TCoE, p. 112) summons a fey spirit marked by a chosen mood, which determines the secondary effect of its Fey Step bonus action (after teleporting 30 feet). For the Tricksy mood, ...
- 53
9
votes
3
answers
847
views
Does the Wish spell allow me to cast a lower-level spell (that normally targets a willing creature) on an unwilling creature?
Wish allows casting a lower-level spell 'without meeting its requirements'.
A major restriction to many spells is that it can only be cast on a willing creature. Can I use wish to avoid this ...
- 742
11
votes
1
answer
841
views
Is a container full of objects a valid target for the Enlarge/Reduce spell?
In the last session, my party and I had to rob the major of a city. We needed to retrieve a particular object that proves his actual corruption by the local thieves' guild.
We managed to get into the ...
- 31.2k
2
votes
0
answers
43
views
Can a familiar be resummoned on the other side of a door? [duplicate]
There is a thread about Conjure Elemental not being able to be cast on the other side of a wall due to targeting rules. Does this also apply to bringing a familiar from its extradimensional space? Or ...
- 645
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Can a bard who takes Contingency at 14th level use Spell Glyphs to Contingency-Revivify the party?
Here's the premise- Upcast your glyph of warding as a 7th level spell slot, select spell glyph. Trigger for glyph is "When [Desired Party Member] touches this glyph."
Cast Contingency->...
- 4,490
3
votes
1
answer
222
views
Found Greater Steed and Mislead
The same bard who was using a Hat of Disguise on her Found Greater Steed is now thinking of picking up Mislead.
I agree with the accepted answer on the previous question, that when Find Greater Steed ...
- 54k
7
votes
1
answer
279
views
Is a "clear path to the target" needed for non-spell effects?
The PHB (p.205) specifies the general rule that a "clear path to the target" is required to cast a spell. The rules on cover (p.196) tell us that total cover prevents an attack or a spell.
...
- 213k
12
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Can meteor swarm trigger in the air?
The wording of METEOR SWARM, a 9th level spell, starts with:
Blazing orbs of fire plummet to the ground at four different points you can see within range. Each creature in a 40-foot-radius sphere ...
- 2,120
22
votes
8
answers
8k
views
How do I rationalize to my players that the Mirror Image is completely useless against the Beholder rays? (also non-attack spells)
Some context:
We're running Dragon Heist and the party is brainstorming on a smart combo game plan to fight the Xanathar himself. In this question I've clarified why in our encounter and generally it ...
- 1,929
2
votes
0
answers
100
views
While wearing an Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location, can I cast Divination spells with a range of Self? [duplicate]
Consider the situation: I am wearing an Amulet of Proof against Detection and Location, giving me the following effect:
While wearing this amulet, you are hidden from divination magic. You can't be ...
- 8,141
4
votes
0
answers
87
views
Spell Targeting, Or: Can I use the fire bolt cantrip as a flare gun? [duplicate]
This is intended as a very general question on spell targeting but let's focus on a very specific example.
The fire bolt cantrip description states:
You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object ...
- 141
7
votes
1
answer
963
views
Can Temple of the Gods be cast on a small floating area at sea?
Players want to cast Temple of the Gods on a small floating square at sea. (It involves the shape water cantrip, but I want to put that aside for this question). The spell says it requires to be cast ...
- 2,120
2
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Who holds the bond when the Warding Bond spell is cast through a familiar?
The text of the spell Find Familiar states (emphasis mine):
when you cast a spell with a range of touch, your familiar can deliver the spell as if it had cast the spell.
The spell Warding Bond's ...
- 1,971
5
votes
2
answers
709
views
Who does the Hellish Rebuke spell target when the Warding Bond spell has been cast?
The description of the warding bond spell says, in part (emphasis mine):
This spell wards a willing creature you touch and creates a mystic connection between you and the target until the spell ends.
...
- 111
-6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
By a strict reading of RAW: does Revivify work?
Given the following two facts, through a strict RAW reading (a DM of course can and likely should handwave this issue), is a typical corpse a valid target of Revivify?
Creatures are Objects.
...
user45338
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
If the Raulothim's Psychic Lance spell "dissipates without effect", is the spell slot consumed?
I was reading the description of the Raulothim's Psychic Lance spell (Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, p. 21) and I was left with a question. Raulothim's Psychic Lance gives the following alternative ...
- 113
-5
votes
2
answers
307
views
What happens when Wand of Wonder allows you to cast Detect Thoughts on a creature?
Wand of Wonders has an effect that allows you to target a creature with Detect Thoughts, but Detect Thoughts has a range of self. This is obviously an inconsistency, but how to resolve this?
Do you ...
- 129k
3
votes
1
answer
474
views
What counts as a "specific effect" of the Guards and Wards spell if the Dispel Magic spell is cast on it?
The description of the Guards and Wards spell says:
Guards and wards creates the following effects within the warded area.
Corridors. Fog fills all the warded corridors, making them heavily obscured. ...
- 1,502
9
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can climbing up a tree prevent a creature from being targeted with Magic Missile?
Is climbing treated the same as movement in a combat round? Will my Magic Missile still work, with all the monsters up a tree?
It's a scenario about being attacked in a dense forest, by monsters ...
- 389
5
votes
2
answers
358
views
Does the caster of a tiny hut know whom it affects?
I DM for a party that includes a bard and a warlock, both of whom can cast tiny hut. In a typical dangerous area long rest, the bard casts tiny hut to include the entire party, and then the warlock ...
- 54k
2
votes
1
answer
286
views
Do you choose targets as part of the casting of a spell, or as part of the effect of it? [duplicate]
When casting a spell, do you select targets at the time of casting the spell or when the spell's effects take place?
For an example of when the distinction might matter, consider casting a single-...
- 19.4k
5
votes
2
answers
571
views
Can spells that target creatures affect (damage) the layers of a Prismatic Wall spell?
I know that spells, in general, state what they can target - which is often only creatures. Spells which can target other things like objects (as in Fire Bolt) or magical effects (as in Dispel Magic) ...
- 1,281
14
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Heat Metal vs Sanctuary
My druid cast Heat Metal on an armor-wearing enemy's armor. Then the enemy cast Sanctuary. Then, when while Sanctuary was in effect, I used my bonus action to heat the armor.
The DM said I was ...
- 199
27
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Is there a rule that enables Sending to ignore the spell targeting rules regarding Total Cover?
SRD, page 102 - Spell Targeting:
To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can’t be behind total cover.
SRD, page 177 - Sending:
Sending
Range: Unlimited
The spell doesn't seem ...
- 1,391
3
votes
1
answer
369
views
Can a Leonin avoid targeting allies with the Daunting Roar ability if the Leonin is blinded?
I saw an interesting interaction today about the Leonin Daunting Roar ability. There was a blinded Leonin adjacent to allies and enemies. He wanted to use the Daunting Roar ability. The relevant text ...
- 275
9
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Managing the Manifest Mind
We had our first session with an Order of Scribes wizard the other night, from Tasha's.
Where we left off in our session is that the OoS wizard sent the Mind ahead of the party and encountered what is ...
- 35.9k
8
votes
2
answers
978
views
Can Locate Object find the orb of a Scrying sensor?
The Scrying spell states (emphasis mine):
On a failed save, the spell creates an invisible sensor within 10 feet of the target. You can see and hear through the sensor as if you were there. The ...
- 2,695
1
vote
1
answer
744
views
What can spells cast into a Shield Guardian target?
There is already this question clarifying that you cannot cast spells with a range of self on the Shield Guardian, as you need to be able to target the guardian with the spell. It is clear that you ...
- 129k
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How does the sorcerer's Distant Spell Metamagic option interact with an upcast Hold Person spell?
Hold Person is a spell that upcasts as follows:
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional humanoid for each slot level above 2nd. The humanoids ...
- 1,502