Simple RAW for 5e 4: Smackdown v. RAW

[Dalebert]

The spell says attacks with the smaller weapon do less damage. The bolt is ammo. The weapon is the crossbow which is still small, so the dmg is reduced.

The shield thing could work but Shields aren't big enough to block most tunnels. It would have to be a pretty small tunnel. And your DM will have to decide how well it blocks the tunnel, e.g. what DC athletic check to move it.

[No brains]

Q362 When a creature takes 'overflow' damage that breaks Wildhsape or Polymorph, how do immunities, resistances, and vulnerabilities work?

Example A: A salamander is polymorphed into crab and hit with fireball for 30 damage. Is the salamander immune to the overflow damage?

Example B: A commoner is polymorphed into a skeleton* and takes 30 bludgeoning damage. Is the overflow damage still doubled by the skeleton's vulnerability to bludgeoning damage?

*I know polymorph can't turn a creature into a skeleton, I was just reaching for some creature that had a vulnerability.

Q363 Are there any beasts that have a damage vulnerability?

Anybody care to take another crack at this one?

[heavyfuel]

Q 373

Can a Rogue perform a ranged sneak attack past a weapon's first range assuming he's not at Disadvantage?

I could swear seeing a rule against it somewhere, but can't find it, so I might be imagining it

[PhoenixPhyre]

Q 373

Can a Rogue perform a ranged sneak attack past a weapon's first range assuming he's not at Disadvantage?

I could swear seeing a rule against it somewhere, but can't find it, so I might be imagining it

A 373 That depends on exactly how you consider the rule on Sneak Attack.

Is it
a) if you have no conditions imposing disadvantage (even if canceled out)

OR

a) if you are not rolling the check at disadvantage (either no disadvantage at all or canceled out).

Case A, no it doesn't work.
Case B, you're fine.

I personally read it as case B. But I've heard people argue for case A.

[E’Tallitnics]

Q 373

Can a Rogue perform a ranged sneak attack past a weapon's first range assuming he's not at Disadvantage?

I could swear seeing a rule against it somewhere, but can't find it, so I might be imagining it

A373: Yes he can.

Sneak Attack (in part)
“You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.”

Note that doesn't say anything about having had disadvantage on the role, so it applies to the role being made.

He can pop out from being hidden, have the sharpshooter feat, or any other method of gaining advantage on the attack role to cancel out the disadvantage from using the long range of the weapon.

Do note that the other parts must also be valid: Another enemy within five feet and that creature can't be incapacitated.

[Chronos]

Re 373:

Having both advantage and disadvantage is not the same thing as having neither (even though, in both cases, you roll only one die). If you have both advantage and disadvantage, and some other condition arises that would give you advantage or disadvantage, that new condition doesn't change anything. But if you have neither, then that new condition would change things. From this, we conclude that canceling advantage and disadvantage is not the same as not having either: You still have both. And so a rogue attacking a blinded foe at long range still has disadvantage, and thus still cannot sneak attack.

On the other hand, there are other ways to attack at long range without any disadvantage at all. If you have the Sharpshooter feat, then long range does not impose disadvantage.

[E’Tallitnics]

Re 373:

Having both advantage and disadvantage is not the same thing as having neither (even though, in both cases, you roll only one die). If you have both advantage and disadvantage, and some other condition arises that would give you advantage or disadvantage, that new condition doesn't change anything. But if you have neither, then that new condition would change things. From this, we conclude that canceling advantage and disadvantage is not the same as not having either: You still have both. And so a rogue attacking a blinded foe at long range still has disadvantage, and thus still cannot sneak attack.

On the other hand, there are other ways to attack at long range without any disadvantage at all. If you have the Sharpshooter feat, then long range does not impose disadvantage.

R373: Nope. I quoted the RAW, you’re drawing conclusions.

Here’s another quote, “If circumstances cause a roll to have both advantage and disadvantage, you are considered to have neither of them, and you roll one d20.”

So RAW you do not, “still have both”.

[Chronos]

This leads to a contradiction, then, if you have advantage and disadvantage which cancel out, and then something else gives you advantage.

[Galithar]

This leads to a contradiction, then, if you have advantage and disadvantage which cancel out, and then something else gives you advantage.

No contradiction. Any number of sources of advantage cancel any number of sources of disadvantage, and vice versa. You don't compare two sources, cancel them, and then continue to calculate other sources. You do all of them at once. A single source of advantage cancels an unlimited number of sources of disadvantage.

[rlc]

Q374 I actually just remembered something that came up in a session awhile back: a Cambion used Fiendish Charm on the barbarian, so the wizard dispelled it. I said that it wasn't a spell, but he said that you can dispel rifts, so it doesn't have to be a spell. I ended up ruling it that the barbarian got to reroll the save with advantage (probably would've given a third chance, since it was a third level spell, but the barbarian got it on the second roll), but what was the official RAW answer?

[PhoenixPhyre]

Q 374I actually just remembered something that came up in a session awhile back: a Cambion used Fiendish Charm on the barbarian, so the wizard dispelled it. I said that it wasn't a spell, but he said that you can dispel rifts, so it doesn't have to be a spell. I ended up ruling it that the barbarian got to reroll the save with advantage (probably would've given a third chance, since it was a third level spell, but the barbarian got it on the second roll), but what was the official RAW answer?

A 374
Fiendish Charm does not use a spell slot, say it's a spell, say it's magical, or come from a magic item, so it is not susceptible to dispel magic. Dispel magic has no effect.

[Millstone85]

A 374
Fiendish Charm does not use a spell slot, say it's a spell, say it's magical, or come from a magic item, so it is not susceptible to dispel magic. Dispel magic has no effect.

R374

This is the checklist you should go through to determine if the game considers something "magical" for the purpose of things like antimagic field, as explained in the Sage Advice Compendium.

But the case of dispel magic is simpler than that, as it only affects spells. And indeed, Fiendish Charm is not a spell.

he said that you can dispel rifts

What was he referring to, exactly?

[rlc]

A 374
Fiendish Charm does not use a spell slot, say it's a spell, say it's magical, or come from a magic item, so it is not susceptible to dispel magic. Dispel magic has no effect.

So my original ruling was correct then. I was kind of going with a lot of rule of cool stuff, but I figured I'd ask, just out of curiosity. Thank you.

R374
What was he referring to, exactly?

I'm not sure, exactly. I'm guessing it was either from another campaign he was in, or something from Critical Role, since he said he watches that a lot. He says he's learning a lot about the game from it, but he seems to say a lot of things that aren't actually RAW. I'm mostly fine with things not being perfect, but there have been some head scratchers.

[Millstone85]

I'm not sure, exactly.

If it turns out there is in fact a rule, somewhere, that says a rift can be closed with dispel magic, it will have to be put in the context of D&D being a game of exceptions and special cases. The general rule remains that only spells are affected.

[chevyboys]

Q 375
If a wizard with a 20 intelligence takes a feat that would normally increase his intelligence, but can't because of the limit of 20, can that player apply the increase point to wisdom or charisma?

[PhoenixPhyre]

Q 375
If a wizard with a 20 intelligence takes a feat that would normally increase his intelligence, but can't because of the limit of 20, can that player apply the increase point to wisdom or charisma?

A375 by RAW, no. The point is lost.

[Wyverntamer]

New here, don't know for sure it hasn't been asked yet but...
Q376
At what level do you cast innate spells like the Yuan-Ti pureblood's version of Animal Friendship? It states that: 'You can cast animal friendship an unlimited number of times with this trait, but you can target only snakes with it.' But nowhere does it state what level you cast it at. Is there any RAW clarification of that?

[Millstone85]

A376 I believe the Sage Advice Compendium has the answer.

What level is a spell if you cast it without a spell slot? Such a spell is cast at its lowest possible level, which is the level that appears near the top of its description.

[honeybunch]

Q 377

Can Glyph of Warding be used to cast any summoning spells?

The text of the spell says "The spell [stored in Glyph of Warding] must target a single creature or an area."

However, it also mentions that, "If the spell summons hostile creatures or creates harmful objects or traps, they appear as close as possible to the intruder and attack it," seemingly indicating that it can be used to summon.

No summoning spell currently in the game targets a single creature, and no summoning spell lists an area in the range/area section. Conjure Elemental instructs the career to "choose an area of air, earth, fire, or water that fills a 10-foot cube within range," but it does so only within the body of the spell. Most other summoning spells indicate that summoned creatures "appear in unoccupied spaces that you can see within range," but give no indication that these unoccupied spaces are targeted.

Q 378

Can Wall of Force be cast via a Glyph of Warding? (note that any requirement for a spell cast through GoW to be harmful has been errataed away)

I wouldn't have considered this a possibility, but given that GoW is apparently intended to be able to hold summoning spells, I think Wall of Force may also be a valid option. Like Conjure Elemental, it has no area given in the Range/Area section, but the body of the spell defines an area.

[Wyverntamer]

Q379
Which spell would win, Sunburst or Maddening Darkness? Sunburst says that it removes all Darkness, magical or not, in its area, while MD says that all spells of 8th level or lower fail to illuminate the area.

[E’Tallitnics]

Q 377

Can Glyph of Warding be used to cast any summoning spells?

The text of the spell says "The spell [stored in Glyph of Warding] must target a single creature or an area."

However, it also mentions that, "If the spell summons hostile creatures or creates harmful objects or traps, they appear as close as possible to the intruder and attack it," seemingly indicating that it can be used to summon.

No summoning spell currently in the game targets a single creature, and no summoning spell lists an area in the range/area section. Conjure Elemental instructs the career to "choose an area of air, earth, fire, or water that fills a 10-foot cube within range," but it does so only within the body of the spell. Most other summoning spells indicate that summoned creatures "appear in unoccupied spaces that you can see within range," but give no indication that these unoccupied spaces are targeted.

Q 378

Can Wall of Force be cast via a Glyph of Warding? (note that any requirement for a spell cast through GoW to be harmful has been errataed away)

I wouldn't have considered this a possibility, but given that GoW is apparently intended to be able to hold summoning spells, I think Wall of Force may also be a valid option. Like Conjure Elemental, it has no area given in the Range/Area section, but the body of the spell defines an area.

A377: Yes. As per the text you quoted any conjuration spell has the creature(s) brought forth as close as possible to the target and the creature(s) attack said target.

A378: From the spell description, "You can store a prepared spell of 3rd level or lower in the glyph by casting it as part of creating the glyph." and, "When the glyph is triggered, the stored spell is cast."

Therefore when the GoW is cast at a higher level to include WoF the caster 'pre-determines' the size and shape of the wall.

[E’Tallitnics]

Q379
Which spell would win, Sunburst or Maddening Darkness? Sunburst says that it removes all Darkness, magical or not, in its area, while MD says that all spells of 8th level or lower fail to illuminate the area.

A379: Sunburst by virtue of the text that states it dispels any darkness created by a spell. That would mean that Maddening Darkness would be dispelled if even a millimeter of Sunburst interacted with it.

[Corran]

Q 380
The cantrip magic stone specifies that hurling the pebbles is a spell attack Now, as far as I understand it, this is true even if a sling is being used to attack with the pebbles. Am I right?

If so, does anyone get proficiency with this spell attack, aside for my character who I assume gets it? Will my group's fighter for example add his proficiency bonus to that attack? What about someone who can cast spells? Is it any different for them? Will they get to add their proficiency bonus because they can do spell attacks already? Maybe only those who have picked the cantrip or perhaps have it on their spell list?

Thanks in advance.

[Arkhios]

Q 380
The cantrip magic stone specifies that hurling the pebbles is a spell attack Now, as far as I understand it, this is true even if a sling is being used to attack with the pebbles. Am I right?

If so, does anyone get proficiency with this spell attack, aside for my character who I assume gets it? Will my group's fighter for example add his proficiency bonus to that attack? What about someone who can cast spells? Is it any different for them? Will they get to add their proficiency bonus because they can do spell attacks already? Maybe only those who have picked the cantrip or perhaps have it on their spell list?

Thanks in advance.

Tentative A 380.

I think I read about this before, that it is indeed a spell attack now, even if shot with a sling. And that everyone who is capable of throwing or shooting the pebbles is intended to add their proficiency bonus and your spellcasting modifier to the roll to hit.

Tentative, because I'm not entirely sure where I read it. But FWIW, that's how I've interpreted it so far, and we've had zero complications or conflicts.

[E’Tallitnics]

Q 380
The cantrip magic stone specifies that hurling the pebbles is a spell attack Now, as far as I understand it, this is true even if a sling is being used to attack with the pebbles. Am I right?

If so, does anyone get proficiency with this spell attack, aside for my character who I assume gets it? Will my group's fighter for example add his proficiency bonus to that attack? What about someone who can cast spells? Is it any different for them? Will they get to add their proficiency bonus because they can do spell attacks already? Maybe only those who have picked the cantrip or perhaps have it on their spell list?

Thanks in advance.

A 380: Proficiency Bonus. You add your proficiency bonus to your attack roll when you attack using a weapon with which you have proficiency, as well as when you attack with a spell.

That’s the RAW and there’s no text that states that you must be a spell caster to use your proficiency bonus when you attack with a spell.

So it’s: Caster’s Spellcasting Ability Modifier + Attacker’s Proficiency Bonus = Modifier To Hit.

[Wyverntamer]

Q381
Couldn't find anything about it online so... What are the rules a mount that is unmounted during combat abides by? Does the owner control it or the DM? Does it go on its own initiative or during the rider's initiative? Is it still limited in actions as a mounted one is or does it have all it's own actions?

[E’Tallitnics]

Q381
Couldn't find anything about it online so... What are the rules a mount that is unmounted during combat abides by? Does the owner control it or the DM? Does it go on its own initiative or during the rider's initiative? Is it still limited in actions as a mounted one is or does it have all it's own actions?

A381: The creature would revert to a normal, i.e. unmounted, creature. What happens next is up to the DM.

[FrancisBean]

Q382

These are both on specific wording in Totem Barbarian L14, Totemic Attunements for Wolf and Elk.

(A)

While you're raging, you can use a bonus action on your turn to knock a Large or smaller creature prone when you hit it with melee weapon attack.

This doesn't say you use a bonus action to attempt to knock a creature prone; it says you do it. Am I missing something, or is this, RAW, an automatic success whenever you meet the conditions (successfully hit it and expend a bonus action)? I'm having trouble believing that I'm reading this right, since almost all other "knock prone" options give the target a save or something.

(B)

While raging, you can use a bonus action during your move to pass through the space of a Large or smaller creature. That creature must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC 8 + your Strength bonus + your proficiency bonus) or be knocked prone and take bludgeoning damage equal to 1d12 + your Strength modifier.

I'm assuming that there's nothing here which avoids the problems in moving through another creature's square: it counts as difficult terrain, and it permits an opportunity attack if you leave the threatened zone. Is that right?

[leogobsin]

Q382

These are both on specific wording in Totem Barbarian L14, Totemic Attunements for Wolf and Elk.

(A)
This doesn't say you use a bonus action to attempt to knock a creature prone; it says you do it. Am I missing something, or is this, RAW, an automatic success whenever you meet the conditions (successfully hit it and expend a bonus action)? I'm having trouble believing that I'm reading this right, since almost all other "knock prone" options give the target a save or something.

(B)
I'm assuming that there's nothing here which avoids the problems in moving through another creature's square: it counts as difficult terrain, and it permits an opportunity attack if you leave the threatened zone. Is that right?

A328
(A) It says you knock them prone, you knock them prone. It just happens.

(B) Nothing in the description says those rules don't apply, so they still do.

[Corran]

Q 383
About the ring option of the wall of fire spell. Assuming I select the outside side of the ring to be the one that deals damage, then do we take damage if we are inside the ring?

Thanks in advance.