Error in Cloud of Daggers

Cloud of Daggers is the only spell that says it is a "Cube centered on a point". Cubes are supposed to originate from a point on one of their faces. Is it supposed to be a Sphere? or is it not supposed to be centered on the point?

Quote from DnDmentil >>

Cloud of Daggers is the only spell that says it is a "Cube centered on a point". Cubes are supposed to originate from a point on one of their faces. Is it supposed to be a Sphere? or is it not supposed to be centered on the point?

D&D rules operate on a "specific beats general" system. If a spell uses a Cube AoE that says it works slightly differently from the definition of a Cube AoE, that's an example of a specific rule (the spell) overriding a general rule (the definition of a Cube AoE). There are a few other spells that do this kind of thing; it's not a contradiction and it's not an error.

What would be the reason for this change though? Unless I'm mistaken there's no practical difference between a Cube centered on point and normal Cube, other than the fact that on a grid it becomes annoying. Seems to me like it's a mistake.

Just because "specific beats general" doesn't mean that this isn't an error

Quote from DnDmentil >>

What would be the reason for this change though? Unless I'm mistaken there's no practical difference between a Cube centered on point and normal Cube, other than the fact that on a grid it becomes annoying. Seems to me like it's a mistake.

Just because "specific beats general" doesn't mean that this isn't an error

If it's an error, it's been there for 12 years and no one has thought to correct it despite many opportunities, so that seems unlikely.

The logical reason for it would be just as you said: it's easier to place where you want it on a grid, if you're playing that would. However, in practice it doesn't really make any difference which way a Cube is defined if the origin point isn't next to the caster.