Simple RAW 3

[Galgano]

Q415 - If someone casts wall of water and someone casts Fireball and targets an area on the other side of the water, does the fire damage get halved for people on that side of the water? I want to say no because the rules state that it halves fire damage, but the fireball is a streak until it blows up and doesn't deal fire damage until that time.

[Dalebert]

Q 416 What does Zephyros' Journal do? (Common magic item from SKT)

[Erys]

Q415 - If someone casts wall of water and someone casts Fireball and targets an area on the other side of the water, does the fire damage get halved for people on that side of the water? I want to say no because the rules state that it halves fire damage, but the fireball is a streak until it blows up and doesn't deal fire damage until that time.

A415: "[F]ire damage is halved if the fire effect passes through the wall to reach its target."

Fireball is a fire effect from start to finish, if it passes through a wall of water its damage is halved.

[Darrin]

Q417: Is there a 5E equivalent of the arcane mark spell?

We just started a 5E game, and our party has gotten involved in what looks like some sort of smuggling operation with mops. We've discovered the mops are magical, but we're not entirely sure what they are being used for. I'd like to know if there's a low-level spell we could use to "track" their location, to help us determine how the mops are being used. Books are limited at the moment, and I didn't see anything in the PHB that could help, but I haven't had a chance to really dig deep into the books.

[Avonar]

Q417: Is there a 5E equivalent of the arcane mark spell?

We just started a 5E game, and our party has gotten involved in what looks like some sort of smuggling operation with mops. We've discovered the mops are magical, but we're not entirely sure what they are being used for. I'd like to know if there's a low-level spell we could use to "track" their location, to help us determine how the mops are being used. Books are limited at the moment, and I didn't see anything in the PHB that could help, but I haven't had a chance to really dig deep into the books.

A417

The ones I can think of are:

Hunter's Mark - 1st Level - Gives you advantage on tracking the target creature
Locate Creature - 4th Level - You know the direction of a creature if it is within 1000ft
Mind Spike - 2nd Level (See Xanathar's Guide to Everything) - Deals damage and you know the creature's location

[Flashy]

Q417: Is there a 5E equivalent of the arcane mark spell?

We just started a 5E game, and our party has gotten involved in what looks like some sort of smuggling operation with mops. We've discovered the mops are magical, but we're not entirely sure what they are being used for. I'd like to know if there's a low-level spell we could use to "track" their location, to help us determine how the mops are being used. Books are limited at the moment, and I didn't see anything in the PHB that could help, but I haven't had a chance to really dig deep into the books.

A417: Locate Object is a 2nd level spell which allows you to sense the direction of either an object you have seen before or the nearest object of a generic type, as long as it is within 1000 ft. Probably the closest you’ll get to what you want.

[Galgano]

Q418a - when do you apply STR/DEX bonus to attack and damage rolls? I know you do so if you're proficient with a weapon, but can you do so with weapons you aren't proficient with?
Q418b - If you're proficient with blowdarts does that mean you do 1 + DEX score damage?
Q418c - If you're proficient with improvised weapons, can you do more than 1 fire damage with a torch?

[Hyde]

Q418a - when do you apply STR/DEX bonus to attack and damage rolls? I know you do so if you're proficient with a weapon, but can you do so with weapons you aren't proficient with?
Q418b - If you're proficient with blowdarts does that mean you do 1 + DEX score damage?
Q418c - If you're proficient with improvised weapons, can you do more than 1 fire damage with a torch?

A418a You add your STR or DEX mod to attack and damage rolls regardless of proficiency.
A418b Blowgun, 1+dex modifier, but otherwise yes.
A418c That a torch only does 1 fire damage is an exception to normal damage rules, and its attack is not strictly speaking an improvised weapon, so by RAW, no.

[Lombra]

A418c

The feat only does what it says about improvised weapons,but improvised weapons fall under DM judgement, so it's not something you'll find a RAW answer to.

Personally I think that 1d4 fire damage is appropriate for a (lit) torch, but I can also see a torch doing 1d4 bludgeoning damage +1 fire damage, both answers are "RAW" because the RAW says that the DM decides.

[Lord Il Palazzo]

A418c

The feat only does what it says about improvised weapons,but improvised weapons fall under DM judgement, so it's not something you'll find a RAW answer to.

Personally I think that 1d4 fire damage is appropriate for a (lit) torch, but I can also see a torch doing 1d4 bludgeoning damage +1 fire damage, both answers are "RAW" because the RAW says that the DM decides.

A418cThe rules say the torch only does 1 fire damage, but nothing says you don't also add your strength modifier on top of that (which is normal procedures for all melee weapon attacks unless you're getting into finesse etc.). Mike Mearls has tweeted in the past that you're supposed to get your strength bonus on damage with a torch so there's some RAI to go with the RAW as well. (Link: https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/03/28...-with-a-torch/)

That said, yeah. As a DM, I would look at the improvised weapon rules and say "a torch is basically a club that happens to be on fire" and let it deal 1d4 bludgeoning + 1 fire + strength on whichever damage type the player wants, but that's definitely in DM discretion territory.

[Millstone85]

Q419 Can a creature get several levels of exhaustion from the same casting of sickening radiance, over multiple failed saves?

[Erys]

Q419 Can a creature get several levels of exhaustion from the same casting of sickening radiance, over multiple failed saves?

A419: Yes.

[Millstone85]

A419: Yes.

I assume you mean this:

If someone dies from reaching rank 6 of exhaustion from Sickening Radiance, they remain dead from hitting that point even after the spell ends?

Sickening radiance doesn’t raise people from the dead.

But it doesn't say if the previous five ranks of exhaustion were also reached from sickening radiance.

My doubt is over this:

If an already exhausted creature suffers another effect that causes exhaustion, its current level of exhaustion increases by the amount specified in the effect's description.

I am probably reading too much into this. "Another effect" could include another exposure to the same area of effect.

[Erys]

I assume you mean this:

But it doesn't say if the previous five ranks of exhaustion were also reached from sickening radiance.

My doubt is over this:

I am probably reading too much into this. "Another effect" could include another exposure to the same area of effect.

I believe 'another effect' absolutely includes subsequent failed saves to the same Sickening Radiance. There is no caveat limiting the exhaustion and the is no violation of the Stacking Effects Rule if someone gets exposed to the same Sickening Radiance repeatedly over the course of several minutes.

[Jack Bitters]

Q420a Can a war cleric use War God's Blessing to aid the attack roll of someone firing a siege weapon, i.e. a cannon or a trebuchet?

My confusion is that if it's the siege engine making the attack roll, it's attacking as an object and therefore is not subject to things like WGB or bardic inspiration, which specifically call out creatures as the recipients of the attack bonus. But, on the other hand, if it's a creature using the siege engine to attack, then is it become the creature's roll and not the object's?
Q420bWhose roll is it?

Q421 Can an armored Kensai monk still receive the benefits of the Deft Strike ability?

[BobZan]

A421. Yes, but remember that Armored monks do 1 damage with unarmed strikes and doesn't earn bonus action unarmed attack (flurry of blows still doable).

[BobZan]

Q422. Would a Familiar be affected by Inspiring Leader?

[Hyde]

Q420a Can a war cleric use War God's Blessing to aid the attack roll of someone firing a siege weapon, i.e. a cannon or a trebuchet?

My confusion is that if it's the siege engine making the attack roll, it's attacking as an object and therefore is not subject to things like WGB or bardic inspiration, which specifically call out creatures as the recipients of the attack bonus. But, on the other hand, if it's a creature using the siege engine to attack, then is it become the creature's roll and not the object's?
Q420bWhose roll is it?

Q421 Can an armored Kensai monk still receive the benefits of the Deft Strike ability?

A420: While there's no specific rule, siege weapons have their own stat blocks, and make their attacks independent of the stats and proficiency of the operator. It is therefore likely that WGB, etc. does not work. However, this is ultimately up to the DM, and it would be reasonable to rule either way.

A421: I would say not. The "martial arts die" is a function of the "Martial Arts" ability, which you can only gain the benefits of while unarmored, such that an armored monk simply wouldn't have a martial arts die to add using the Deft Strikes ability. It is, however, more interesting to rule the opposite, and allow it, I think.

[Hyde]

Q422. Would a Familiar be affected by Inspiring Leader?

A422: Potentially, as it is a creature. Any familiar capable of understanding the user of Inspiring Leader would be able to gain its benefits. By RAW, this would basically only be if the caster was using the feat.

[Davrix]

So I want to make sure I've got this right. I'm currently a lv 8 paladin and I want to take the last 12 lv's in Sorc. It says I gain 2 first lv spells in the PH at level 1 but it also says you when you level you and if you get another spell to learn you can take any spell you have a spell slot for and change one you know already to a new spell. Now I am assuming those first 2 1st lv spells are locked in but under the multi-class section magic table under such a combo I would have access to Lv 3 spells. So once I level up to a 2nd lv Sorc I can learn a lv 3 spell and change one of my lv 1 spells to a Lv 3 even though under the sorc spell table I wouldn't have access to a lv 3 spell but I do on the multi-class spell slot table?

Have I got this right or have I gone cross eyed :)

[Erys]

Q423

So I want to make sure I've got this right. I'm currently a lv 8 paladin and I want to take the last 12 lv's in Sorc. It says I gain 2 first lv spells in the PH at level 1 but it also says you when you level you and if you get another spell to learn you can take any spell you have a spell slot for and change one you know already to a new spell. Now I am assuming those first 2 1st lv spells are locked in but under the multi-class section magic table under such a combo I would have access to Lv 3 spells. So once I level up to a 2nd lv Sorc I can learn a lv 3 spell and change one of my lv 1 spells to a Lv 3 even though under the sorc spell table I wouldn't have access to a lv 3 spell but I do on the multi-class spell slot table?

Have I got this right or have I gone cross eyed :)

A423:You are a little off.


When you take your first lvl in Sorcerer your spells slots are determined by the multi-class spell chart (phb 165).

As a Pal 8/Sor 1 character you would have the following spell slots: 4 first, 3 second, and 2 third available to cast with.

Your spells known is based solely on your independent classes at their respective levels.

So at ninth you know your (cha mod + 4) pali spells of 1st and/or 2nd lvl, and two 1st lvl sorcerer spells (+4 cantrips). When you reach tenth you are still only a 2nd lvl sorcerer for determining spells known, and can only pick/swap among 1st lvl spells.

With this builds projection you won't actually get 3rd lvl spells until 13th lvl.

[Red Bear]

Q424 is the whip the only finesse, reach weapon?

Q425 is there a finesse two-handed weapon?

Q426 is there a finesse equivalent of the lance?

[Lord Il Palazzo]

Q424 is the whip the only finesse, reach weapon?

A424 Yes.

Q425 is there a finesse two-handed weapon?

A425 No.

Q426 is there a finesse equivalent of the lance?

A426 No.

The weapons table in the Player's Handbook and the SRD is the only one we have right now, outside of a few scattered weapons that have popped up in places like the Monster Manual (like Kuo-Toa Pincer Staffs) which are written up as the attack of a monster rather than a weapon for players to choose or equip. I've never seen an official source for any two-handed or heavy finesse weapon, or any reach finesse weapon besides the whip.

[Avonar]

Q425 is there a finesse two-handed weapon?

A425 No.

Actually, the answer is kind of. A Sun Sword, a magic item in the DMG is a longsword with the Finesse property, meaning it is a Versatile weapon that can be used one or two handed. But that is the only one.

[Arkhios]

Actually, the answer is kind of. A Sun Sword, a magic item in the DMG is a longsword with the Finesse property, meaning it is a Versatile weapon that can be used one or two handed. But that is the only one.

This is true, but the way the standard is set for 5th edition, there's no "magic item market" by default. It falls to "ask your DM" territory if you wish to acquire a specific magic item for your character and/or build it towards such a niche idea.

[Arial Black]

Actually, the answer is kind of. A Sun Sword, a magic item in the DMG is a longsword with the Finesse property, meaning it is a Versatile weapon that can be used one or two handed. But that is the only one.

There is another, in the DMG.

A Moon Blade is a magical longsword. It gains abilities over time, chosen from a table.

One of the options on this table is to give your Moon Blade the finesse property.

[Dalebert]

Q 427 If you take the ritual caster feat, and use wisdom to meet the prerequisite, is that the stat you use to scribe scrolls into your book? Do you get proficiency bonus?

[Escribblings]

Q 428 - Eldritch Smite

The requirement for Divine Smite to use only Paladin spell slots...

DIVINE SMITE
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one paladin spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon's damage. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend.

Was recinded...

PALADIN
Divine Smite (p. 85). You can expend any spell slot, not just a paladin spell slot.

https://media.wizards.com/2015/downl.../Errata_PH.pdf

So what about Eldritch Smite?

ELDRITCH SMITE
Prerequisite: 5th level, Pact of the Blade feature
Once per turn when you hit a creature with your pact weapon, you can expend a warlock spell slot to deal an extra 1d8 force damage to the target, plus another 1d8 per level of the spell slot, and you can knock the target prone if it is Huge or smaller.

Can any slot be used?

Q 428:b

Can Eldritch Smite and Divine Smite be stacked? I'm guessing not as gthat would burn 2 spell slots.

[Kuulvheysoon]

A 428: It's been specified by Jeremy Crawford that you must use a Warlock spell slot (granted by the Pact Magic feature) to power Eldritch Smite.

Eldritch Smite works with warlock spell slots only—the ones you get from Pact Magic. #DND

A 428b: Amusingly enough, there's nothing in the wording to prevent both Divine Smiting and Eldritch Smiting on the same attack. The only condition is having enough spell slots to expend.

[Arkhios]

A 428: It's been specified by Jeremy Crawford that you must use a Warlock spell slot (granted by the Pact Magic feature) to power Eldritch Smite.

A 428b: Amusingly enough, there's nothing in the wording to prevent both Divine Smiting and Eldritch Smiting on the same attack. The only condition is having enough spell slots to expend.

Which, by the way, might have a connection to why it's ruled as it is.