"Fan Errata": a Proposal to Rewrite Some of Poorly Worded Rules of 5e

[Merudo]

Hi Malice. Although you are mostly right according to RAI, you might not be aware that some of what you said isn't supported by RAW. My proposal is to correct the wording of the rules so that RAI = RAW.

I'll take this opportunity to elaborate on what is wrong with the current rules.

Vision & Obscuration: Can a creature see behind mundane darkness, fog cloud, & the darkness spell?

Fog cloud no, and magical darkness no (unless whatever is illuminating the thing on the other side is magical light of a higher level than the darkness). Non magical darkness, yes.

If some clown is standing 100 feet away from you with a lit torch you can see them, despite the darkness between you.

By RAW, there is no distinction between mundane darkness, fog cloud, & magical darkness. All provide heavy obscuration, which block sight only when trying to look into the area (not behind it).

Rest: Under which conditions can a PC take a short or long rest, and can the two types of rests be combined?

Whenever they get 1 (or 8) or more uninterrupted hours of doing nothing else other than sitting quietly by the fire, sleeping, talking or light activity, and the DM doesnt exersize his veto.

One issue: by RAW you can take a short rest within a long rest, although that is not RAI.

Another: by RAW the Circle of Dreams Druid can gain a near permanent +5 to Stealth & Perception through Hearth of Moonlight and Shadow by constantly starting rests.

"Enter the spell's area": What's the definition of "entering a spell's area" for spells such as Moonbeam & Cloud of Daggers?

When a creature enters the area, not the other way around.

There is some ambiguity here regarding the definition of "enter".

Dropping a Weapon: Is dropping a weapon "free", or does it use the object interaction action?

You can interact with an object as part of the action you use the object for. Otherwise it's an action, unless there is no appreciable movement or time required (dropping something) in which case it's not an action at all.

By RAI, dropping an object is not intended to cost any action.

Shield Master: When can the shield push be taken?

As a bonus action, after you take the Attack action.

You might want to familiarize yourself with the flip-flopping of Jeremy Crawford on this issue.

Surprise: What happens if a character only notices some of the threats, but not all of them?

They're not surprised.

The text is "Any character or monster that doesn’t notice a threat is surprised", which can be interpreted as "If there exists a threat that isn't noticed by a character or monster, that character or monster is surprised.

Dead Creature: Is a dead creature still a creature, or is it an object?

A corpse is an object, not a creature. It's also a 'dead creature' for the purposes of Raise Dead. It can be both.

Revivify targets "a creature that has died", so the spell does nothing according to RAW.

Casting more than one spell: Under which conditions can a PC cast more than one spell during a turn?

Any time they havent cast a spell as a bonus action, in which case the only other spell they can cast that turn is a single cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.

Feel free to Fireball, Counter the counterspell flung at your fireball, and then [action surge] Fireball again all on your turn.

The rule is confusing: you can't both cast a Bonus Action spell & a reaction spell on the same turn, or a Bonus Action Spell & an Action Surge Fireball.

Wild Shape: Which feature(s) can be used in Wild Shape?

Every single class and racial feature, or feature from any other source, that is compatible with your new shape.

Of course. But it is often unclear what features are compatible with the new shape.

Cases in point: can a Lizardfolk benefit from Natural Armor while Wild Shaped into a Giant Constrictor Snake? And can a Druid speak Common while Wild Shaped into a Giant Elk?