Questions tagged [line-of-effect]
For questions about "line of effect", a term used in D&D and other RPGs to describe a physically clear and unobstructed path between two points - typically the caster of a spell (or other source of an effect) and the intended target.
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Can You Cast a Spell Into an Area You Can’t See?
The 2024 Player's Handbook update changes the way spell targeting works—and I think it means you can now cast spells into fog, darkness, or even into a Leomund’s Tiny Hut.
2014 Rules
A CLEAR PATH TO ...
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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 ...
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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, ...
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Can a gelatinous cube block line of effect
If there is a 20-foot by 10-foot passage, can two adjacent gelatinous cubes (or similarly large ooze) block line of effect? If the cleric casts prayer, are enemies behind the cubes protected from the ...
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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.
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How does a line-pattern weapon interact with the Seeking tag?
If a Lancer weapon has both a line pattern and the Seeking tag, how does its attack work?
For example, suppose a pilot equips the Death's Head Railgun (which normally attacks in a 20 space line) and ...
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Does the fact Spirit Guardians has range self, affect whether the area of effect goes around corners?
Spirit Guardians has a Range of Self (15-foot radius) (and adds in the description that the Spirits "flit around you to a distance of 15 feet for the duration")
Given this situation:
The ...
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Can moonbeam cast through a wall of force? [duplicate]
Moonbeam states that:
A silvery beam of pale light shines down in a 5-foot-radius, 40-foot-high cylinder centered on a point within range. Until the spell ends, dim light fills the cylinder.
There ...
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How exactly do cylinder spells and effects "ignore obstructions" in their areas? Or what kinds of obstructions they can realistically ignore?
So, Spell descriptions on Area entry says:
When casting a cylinder-shaped spell, you select the spell’s point of origin. This point is the center of a horizontal circle, and the spell shoots down ...
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Does Eldritch Blast travel in a straight line?
My DM and I have researched this at length and we can't seem to find an answer anywhere. Eldritch Blast states:
A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell ...
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Are there any spells that can damage a creature in another creatures stomach?
Under Casting a Spell > targets there is the following section:
A Clear Path to the Target
To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can't be behind total cover. If you place an ...
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When casting a spell through the Wildfire Druid's Enhanced Bond feature, who would need a clear path to the target?
The Circle of Wildfire druid's Enhanced Bond feature states (UA: Cleric, Druid and Wizard, p. 3):
...In addition, when you cast a spell with a range other than self, the spell can originate from you ...
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Does the Scrying spell require you to have a clear path to the target in order to work?
The section "A Clear Path to the Target", on page 205 of the PHB states "To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can’t be behind total cover."
The description of the Scrying ...
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How does the Darkness spell react with solid objects obstructing the spell's area?
I recently played with a mob that could cast deeper darkness at will. Up until now the spell seemed very clear to me, because I just considered that there was basically a sphere of 60 feet around the ...
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Does the Eyebite Spell Work Through a Wall of Force?
Does the Eyebite spell work through a Wall of Force? Or is it blocked by Full Cover, even if the target can be seen?
This question is similar to this, but contrarily to Gaze effects the spell Eyebite ...
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When you cast a spell with "effect" entry, do you have to have line of effect to every portion of the effect to be created?
When you cast a spell with “effect” entry, do you have to have line of effect to every portion of the effect to be created?
Some examples of where it can be relevant:
Casting Summon Monster to ...
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What happens when you cast Fog Cloud behind a wall?
I'm puzzled by the "a clear path to the target" rule.
To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can't be behind total cover.
This seems straightforward: you can't target a ...
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Can the Minor Illusion spell be cast without line of sight?
Can minor illusion be cast without line of sight?
For example, could you cast it behind a wall or through a closed door? Or do you need to see where it’s being manifested? I can't seem to find any ...
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Can you use line-of-sight abilities (such as shadow jaunt) if you have blind sight to a location?
Scenario is: your character is blind, but has blind sight. Can this character use blind sight to shadow jaunt to a location within his range of sight (LOS) (usually 60 ft) or does this not apply?
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Could a Warlock with Ghostly Gaze and Sacred Flame attack through a wall? [duplicate]
The Eldritch Invocation Ghostly Gaze allows the Warlock to see through solid objects out to 30' for as long as she concentrates (up to 1 minute).
For our scenario, our Warlock's nemesis has managed ...
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Can I use Arcane Eye to cast a Fireball past a solid wall?
One of my players is interested in using Arcane Eye and Fireball in conjunction. From looking at this thread here:
Area spells and line of sight, it seems that if a player cannot SEE the target, then ...
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Does Lightning Bolt affect everyone in its line of effect?
I'm looking for clarification on a spell effect. The specific spell in question is lightning bolt, 3rd-level Sorcerer/Wizard spell. It has an area of a 120-ft line. Does it pass through enemies? If I ...
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Can spells be cast through a Wall of Force?
The spell description of wall of force is silent on the question of whether spell effects can pass through the wall. The semi-relevant part of the description states:
Nothing can physically pass ...
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Consequences of Blindness on casting spells?
Which types of spells can a Blinded caster still target as accurately as usual? Which ones require extra steps or give penalties because of blindness? Which ones can simply not be targeted at all, ...
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What do characters know about the battlefield?
The PCs generally know where all enemies are and vice versa (except those who are Hidden). They also know the effects of all zones and other buffs that are in effect. This is part of the "all the ...
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