Hypnotic Pattern says that it affects every creature in the area that can see the pattern that temporarily flashes up. Do you think it's valid to have the party set up a warning word, so that they would know to close their eyes when it is cast? Basically, the wizard tells the party, "When I yell Gygax, shut your eyes until I yell Safe." That would allow the spell to be cast and affect just enemies. Thoughts from players and DMs? Thanks.
Interesting: as a DM, if the wizard instructs the party that way, I would grant advantage to the party against the saving throw, not complete immunity.
A meticulous DM might also impose blindness at the party for 1 round.
They should get affected by the spell. Otherwise, why would you pick a sorcerer careful spell metamagic or go evokes wizard? There are specific class features that help avoid aoe spells for your teammates. If you give it for free than you kill those class benefits totally.
I don't think it impacts class benefits if you reward cooperative tactics among a group. A careful spell or evoker won't need to pre-plan their tactics, or use up reactions, or demand blindness for a turn, and they can use their class feature for a whole list of spells. Hypnotic Pattern does say you need to see it (and even momentarily blinded creatures can't see it), but you can't really close your eyes to protect yourself from a Fireball.
Using a safe word might work if the caster gets highest initiative and the fight is in the build up phase but in the heat of battle I wouldn't say a safe word would work. Lots of noise, the fighter is getting whacked by mobs, yelling, screaming, at the very least make a roll to see who gets to hear the safe word. Maybe make it a difficult DC and over time the DC drops. Kinda like marching practice for combat.
It's not really any different than playing on a grid and casting your spell in an awkward location that happens to only hit enemies (even though combat is supposed to be dynamic).
That said, I think I'd require that party members use their Reaction to do so.
Seeing as it takes an action to identify a spell the Wizard is going to be spending all his or her time with a readied action to even get to the point of shouting "Gygax!" Or I suppose he could just shout it for any spell being cast which leads to the immensely amusing prospect of a bunch of adventurers staggering about with their eyes closed taking disadvantage on all their attacks.
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Hypnotic Pattern says that it affects every creature in the area that can see the pattern that temporarily flashes up. Do you think it's valid to have the party set up a warning word, so that they would know to close their eyes when it is cast? Basically, the wizard tells the party, "When I yell Gygax, shut your eyes until I yell Safe." That would allow the spell to be cast and affect just enemies. Thoughts from players and DMs? Thanks.
Interesting: as a DM, if the wizard instructs the party that way, I would grant advantage to the party against the saving throw, not complete immunity.
A meticulous DM might also impose blindness at the party for 1 round.
Yup, lots of ways to handle this.
I like the blindness mentioned above, for example.
Personally, I'd allow it by using up the PCs' reactions - if you've already used it, tough luck.
I never thought of that spell working this way. I'll have to keep this in mind...
They should get affected by the spell. Otherwise, why would you pick a sorcerer careful spell metamagic or go evokes wizard? There are specific class features that help avoid aoe spells for your teammates. If you give it for free than you kill those class benefits totally.
I don't think it impacts class benefits if you reward cooperative tactics among a group. A careful spell or evoker won't need to pre-plan their tactics, or use up reactions, or demand blindness for a turn, and they can use their class feature for a whole list of spells. Hypnotic Pattern does say you need to see it (and even momentarily blinded creatures can't see it), but you can't really close your eyes to protect yourself from a Fireball.
Using a safe word might work if the caster gets highest initiative and the fight is in the build up phase but in the heat of battle I wouldn't say a safe word would work. Lots of noise, the fighter is getting whacked by mobs, yelling, screaming, at the very least make a roll to see who gets to hear the safe word. Maybe make it a difficult DC and over time the DC drops. Kinda like marching practice for combat.
It's not really any different than playing on a grid and casting your spell in an awkward location that happens to only hit enemies (even though combat is supposed to be dynamic).
That said, I think I'd require that party members use their Reaction to do so.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
Seeing as it takes an action to identify a spell the Wizard is going to be spending all his or her time with a readied action to even get to the point of shouting "Gygax!" Or I suppose he could just shout it for any spell being cast which leads to the immensely amusing prospect of a bunch of adventurers staggering about with their eyes closed taking disadvantage on all their attacks.