If a Pact of the Chain Warlock had an improved familiar that can turn invisible can it still perform the help action to get advantage on attacks, while invisible?
Wasn't sure if it making some noise was enough to cause a distraction large enough to throw off an opponent.
Technically, yes, though you may be asked to specify "how" it meaningfully renders aid.
In principle, helping in combat would consist of convincing the target that you pose an immediate threat, so that it reacts to you and creates an opening for your ally. A Kenku could convincingly imitate a bigger threat with nothing but sound, but an Imp or other improved familiar would have a harder time.
Alternatively, if your familiar can communicate with your ally, they might give them some kind of insight about when and how to strike, but that implies that it has access to worthwhile knowledge to offer.
An Imp from the Nine Hells should have a lot of material to work with: vile insults, dark proficiencies, tortured screams, a well placed wet willy or any other type of distracting behavior that does not rely on sight. That all should work.
An Imp from the Nine Hells should have a lot of material to work with: vile insults, dark proficiencies, tortured screams, a well placed wet willy or any other type of distracting behavior that does not rely on sight. That all should work.
Plenty of material to work with, but not necessarily the skillset to use them effectively.
A Kenku has the Mimicry ability to accurately recreate any sound they've heard, whereas an Imp is a glorified scorpion-monkey.
A wet willy would constitute an attack, which would cause invisibility to drop.
Insults might work against a simple humanoid target, but aren't likely to phase "monsters". (Though, a Bard could certainly find some Cutting Words.)
Help, similar to Hide etc., are things that should get described properly by the players and the DM then decides whether there's a chance for it to succeed (apply the according Action's effects) or not.
Plenty DnD players think they can just call an Action and the effect magically happens but in reality they are supposed to do something (swing a weapon, duck behind a tree out of sight, distract the enemy, etc) for the Action to apply to. If you are in an empty room, you can't hide. If there's no feasible way to distract an enemy or assist an ally, you can't help.
As for an invisible Imp, I'd allow it. The Imp is not intangible so it can still pull on cloths, hair, ears, shout and what not. Literally the only thing it can't do while being invisible is blocking sight. Keep in mind though that making itself noticed will give the enemy opportunity to lash out against your Imp and they aren't exactly durable. They are scouts and tricksters, not fighters.
Help, similar to Hide etc., are things that should get described properly by the players and the DM then decides whether there's a chance for it to succeed (apply the according Action's effects) or not.
Hide's another one I see Rogues try and cheese with a lot. As if all they have to do is roll Stealth and they mysteriously fade from view, even when they're in a completely bare room with no furniture.
An Imp from the Nine Hells should have a lot of material to work with: vile insults, dark proficiencies, tortured screams, a well placed wet willy or any other type of distracting behavior that does not rely on sight. That all should work.
Plenty of material to work with, but not necessarily the skillset to use them effectively.
A Kenku has the Mimicry ability to accurately recreate any sound they've heard, whereas an Imp is a glorified scorpion-monkey.
A wet willy would constitute an attack, which would cause invisibility to drop.
Insults might work against a simple humanoid target, but aren't likely to phase "monsters". (Though, a Bard could certainly find some Cutting Words.)
A Pact of the Chain Imp can most certainly do the Help action while Invisible. By RAW, there is nothing that states it cannot. Now, if you want some kind of justification, simply think mosquito. How often does a mosquito distract you and you can't see it? A IMP can whisper in an ear, or beats it wings, creating an odd wind on the target's face, or whatever.
The key is to remember is that while the Imp is Invisible, it can still be targeted. If the Imp is taking the Help action, then it is not able to try to Hide on the same turn, and can be perceived, through RAW mechanics. If it stays within reach of the target, it can most certainly be attacked at Disadvantage (talking martial attacks, not spells that dictate the target must be seen).
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If a Pact of the Chain Warlock had an improved familiar that can turn invisible can it still perform the help action to get advantage on attacks, while invisible?
Wasn't sure if it making some noise was enough to cause a distraction large enough to throw off an opponent.
Technically, yes, though you may be asked to specify "how" it meaningfully renders aid.
In principle, helping in combat would consist of convincing the target that you pose an immediate threat, so that it reacts to you and creates an opening for your ally. A Kenku could convincingly imitate a bigger threat with nothing but sound, but an Imp or other improved familiar would have a harder time.
Alternatively, if your familiar can communicate with your ally, they might give them some kind of insight about when and how to strike, but that implies that it has access to worthwhile knowledge to offer.
I've seen the Help action abused to all heck, so yeah I'd definitely want an explanation for just how an invisible familiar is Helping in combat.
An Imp from the Nine Hells should have a lot of material to work with: vile insults, dark proficiencies, tortured screams, a well placed wet willy or any other type of distracting behavior that does not rely on sight. That all should work.
Plenty of material to work with, but not necessarily the skillset to use them effectively.
A Kenku has the Mimicry ability to accurately recreate any sound they've heard, whereas an Imp is a glorified scorpion-monkey.
A wet willy would constitute an attack, which would cause invisibility to drop.
Insults might work against a simple humanoid target, but aren't likely to phase "monsters". (Though, a Bard could certainly find some Cutting Words.)
Help, similar to Hide etc., are things that should get described properly by the players and the DM then decides whether there's a chance for it to succeed (apply the according Action's effects) or not.
Plenty DnD players think they can just call an Action and the effect magically happens but in reality they are supposed to do something (swing a weapon, duck behind a tree out of sight, distract the enemy, etc) for the Action to apply to. If you are in an empty room, you can't hide. If there's no feasible way to distract an enemy or assist an ally, you can't help.
As for an invisible Imp, I'd allow it. The Imp is not intangible so it can still pull on cloths, hair, ears, shout and what not. Literally the only thing it can't do while being invisible is blocking sight. Keep in mind though that making itself noticed will give the enemy opportunity to lash out against your Imp and they aren't exactly durable. They are scouts and tricksters, not fighters.
I've never encountered a forum where I got this many "talking to a wall" impressions as this one...
Hide's another one I see Rogues try and cheese with a lot. As if all they have to do is roll Stealth and they mysteriously fade from view, even when they're in a completely bare room with no furniture.
A Pact of the Chain Imp can most certainly do the Help action while Invisible. By RAW, there is nothing that states it cannot. Now, if you want some kind of justification, simply think mosquito. How often does a mosquito distract you and you can't see it? A IMP can whisper in an ear, or beats it wings, creating an odd wind on the target's face, or whatever.
The key is to remember is that while the Imp is Invisible, it can still be targeted. If the Imp is taking the Help action, then it is not able to try to Hide on the same turn, and can be perceived, through RAW mechanics. If it stays within reach of the target, it can most certainly be attacked at Disadvantage (talking martial attacks, not spells that dictate the target must be seen).