I am DMing a game where one of my players (a sorcerer) had only one 3rd-level spell slot, but wanted to twin the 3rd-level casting of the spell (Chaos Bolt, a 1st-level base spell) with a 2nd-level casting of that spell, thus expending one 3rd-level slot, one 2nd-level slot, and two sorcery points instead of two 3rd-level slots and three sorcery points. I allowed him to do so because it doesn't seem to break the mechanic to allow him to cast a 3rd-level spell and its 2nd-level version instead of casting two 3rd-level versions.
The PH says this regarding how twinned spell works: "When you cast a spell that targets only one creature and doesn’t have a range of self, you can spend a number of sorcery points equal to the spell’s level to target a second creature in range with the same spell (1 sorcery point if the spell is a cantrip)." Best I can tell according to the wording "equal to the spell's level," I believe the RAW means that he technically cannot do what I allowed. Am I correct in my interpretation of the RAW? If so, is there something mechanic-wise that would suggest I shouldn't allow him to use twinned spell that way again?
Just a quick note. Twinned spell being used with Chaos Bolt is very hotly contested in the D&D community at the moment. Inquisitive Coder is no doubt leaning on Jeremy Crawford's twitter response which seems to state it cannot be twinned. However, Crawford inserted language into his definition of Twinned Spell which is not RAW and thus is very suspect. He asserted that a spell can only be Twinned if it can AFFECT only 1 creature however the ability as written states that a spell can be Twinned if it TARGET'S only 1 creature.
Because the casting of Chaos Bolt only target's one creature and a random effect of Chaos Bolt POTENTIALLY targets another, there are many in the D&D community that feel it can be Twinned since when cast it only target's one creature. This sort of logic is also debating when Twinning things like Ice Knife & Dragon's Breath spells.
Ultimately it's up to the DM at the table. There are fair arguments to go either way with the decision really.
That's not RAW in general. Ex: Fireball potentially affects many creatures but does not have to target any of them. "Target" has a very specific meaning in the context of D&D combat. This is why Crawford's interpretation on twinned spell is so widely debated. He imputed meaning which is not there except by his fiat. Now it very well may be RAI but it is not strictly RAW. Even James Haeck in his Sorcerer class guide comments concedes there is much room for debate on this particular metamagic.
Just a question on Sorcery point slots...can I use a Sorcery point slot to do 2 spells at once..not a double shot of one spell...eg. hit 2 targets (friendlies) one with mage Armour, one with enhance ability..?
Just a question on Sorcery point slots...can I use a Sorcery point slot to do 2 spells at once..not a double shot of one spell...eg. hit 2 targets (friendlies) one with mage Armour, one with enhance ability..?
Nope. Twinned spell let's you target 2 folks with the same buff spell. There are very few things that let you break the spell casting action economy of 1 Spell Slot spell and 1 cantrip at max.
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I am DMing a game where one of my players (a sorcerer) had only one 3rd-level spell slot, but wanted to twin the 3rd-level casting of the spell (Chaos Bolt, a 1st-level base spell) with a 2nd-level casting of that spell, thus expending one 3rd-level slot, one 2nd-level slot, and two sorcery points instead of two 3rd-level slots and three sorcery points. I allowed him to do so because it doesn't seem to break the mechanic to allow him to cast a 3rd-level spell and its 2nd-level version instead of casting two 3rd-level versions.
The PH says this regarding how twinned spell works: "When you cast a spell that targets only one creature and doesn’t have a range of self, you can spend a number of sorcery points equal to the spell’s level to target a second creature in range with the same spell (1 sorcery point if the spell is a cantrip)." Best I can tell according to the wording "equal to the spell's level," I believe the RAW means that he technically cannot do what I allowed. Am I correct in my interpretation of the RAW? If so, is there something mechanic-wise that would suggest I shouldn't allow him to use twinned spell that way again?
Twinned Spell doesn't use a second spell slot. You're not casting a spell twice; you're casting it once with two targets instead of one.
A spell's level always matches the level of the slot used to cast it. Chaos Bolt cast with a 3rd level slot is always going to be a 3rd level spell.
Chaos Bolt can't be twinned anyways because it has the potential to target another creature if both d8s roll the same number.
Oh, I see! That makes twinned spell far better. Also, thank you for the clarification on Chaos Bolt and for your quick reply.
Just a quick note. Twinned spell being used with Chaos Bolt is very hotly contested in the D&D community at the moment. Inquisitive Coder is no doubt leaning on Jeremy Crawford's twitter response which seems to state it cannot be twinned. However, Crawford inserted language into his definition of Twinned Spell which is not RAW and thus is very suspect. He asserted that a spell can only be Twinned if it can AFFECT only 1 creature however the ability as written states that a spell can be Twinned if it TARGET'S only 1 creature.
Because the casting of Chaos Bolt only target's one creature and a random effect of Chaos Bolt POTENTIALLY targets another, there are many in the D&D community that feel it can be Twinned since when cast it only target's one creature. This sort of logic is also debating when Twinning things like Ice Knife & Dragon's Breath spells.
Ultimately it's up to the DM at the table. There are fair arguments to go either way with the decision really.
If a spell affects a creature, it's targeting that creature.
That's not RAW in general. Ex: Fireball potentially affects many creatures but does not have to target any of them. "Target" has a very specific meaning in the context of D&D combat. This is why Crawford's interpretation on twinned spell is so widely debated. He imputed meaning which is not there except by his fiat. Now it very well may be RAI but it is not strictly RAW. Even James Haeck in his Sorcerer class guide comments concedes there is much room for debate on this particular metamagic.
Just a question on Sorcery point slots...can I use a Sorcery point slot to do 2 spells at once..not a double shot of one spell...eg. hit 2 targets (friendlies) one with mage Armour, one with enhance ability..?
Nope. Twinned spell let's you target 2 folks with the same buff spell. There are very few things that let you break the spell casting action economy of 1 Spell Slot spell and 1 cantrip at max.