I am starting to play a Moon Druid soon and want to take the Telepathic Feat at level 4 to be able to communicate with my party while being wildshaped - also, there are tons of shenanigans you can do with that, like terrorizing a paranoid NPC while being a cat and speak to him in his mind.
I know that a telepathic ability cannot replace the verbal component of a spell - but how about a verbal command?
Some spells, like Conjure Woodland Beings say that you can issue a "verbal command" to your summoned creatures. Could this command be telepathic?
I know I could cast the spell, issue the command to "attack all enemies until they are dead" and then bonus action wildshape, but sometimes you want to change an already given command
I don't think telepathy qualify as verbal components as it involve chanting words and making sounds with them;
Verbal: Most spells require the chanting of mystic words. The words themselves aren't the source of the spell's power; rather, the particular combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in motion. Thus, a character who is gagged or in an area of silence, such as one created by the silence spell, can't cast a spell with a verbal component.
I would personally allow it. It doesn't seem broken and is a fun way to use your abilities with synergy.
I could see an argument for telepathic not technically counting as verbal, since verbal components of a spell cannot be. But I'd personally allow it for the commands, assuming that the creature is able to understand your command.
I'd also allow it. With the idea being that you need to do something actively to command the creatures. It seems like it fits. If someone was playing a character who used sign language, I'd certainly allow that to count as a verbal component, even though it isn't "spoken" in the sense of making a sound.
The only issue that comes to mind is, enemies can hear verbal commands (or see sign language) as opposed to telepathic signals being effectively secret communication. So, it could give the player a slight tactical advantage doing it telepathically over using their mouths. But then, the bad guys would be able to do it, too, so it would even out.
I see, so there is no sage advice or footnote in the PHB about it except the definition of the verbal component.
So I guess it is ultimately a DM decision. Thanks y'all!
if it helps as a forever DM
Telepathy as a spellcasting component is a no-go, as you have already acknowledged. but *absolutely* telepathic *commands* work for the purposes of commanding minions summoned by spells or the Command spell at my tables.
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Telepathy as a spellcasting component is a no-go, as you have already acknowledged.
The problem with this is the Thri-Kreen, who can't speak. Can they not be a caster? Most spells require V and you can't insist on the metamagic ability to remove it every time. If you allow them...then it becomes problematic as you try to explain why the Thri-Kreen can do it telepathically but others can't, or why the Thri-Kreen can skip the V component.
I think a more universal solution is that you can do it telepathically - but it requires an "open-broadcast" form that functions similarly to an actual verbal component, everyone can hear it that would have heard the verbal component of the spell.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Telepathy as a spellcasting component is a no-go, as you have already acknowledged.
The problem with this is the Thri-Kreen, who can't speak. Can they not be a caster? Most spells require V and you can't insist on the metamagic ability to remove it every time. If you allow them...then it becomes problematic as you try to explain why the Thri-Kreen can do it telepathically but others can't, or why the Thri-Kreen can skip the V component.
I think a more universal solution is that you can do it telepathically - but it requires an "open-broadcast" form that functions similarly to an actual verbal component, everyone can hear it that would have heard the verbal component of the spell.
the kreen's verbal components aren't telepathic. They'll make their components in Thri-Kreen, or otherwise making noises via their mandibles, just like anyone else.
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
I only brought up the Thri-Kreen because they have no spoken language and can't issue commands verbally. Seemed relevant to what the OP was asking. As a general rule, I try to apply rules as evenly as possible at my table, so what applies for Telepathy for one character should apply to all characters with Telepathy when ever possible. I was not trying to highjack the thread and I apologize.
I only brought up the Thri-Kreen because they have no spoken language and can't issue commands verbally. Seemed relevant to what the OP was asking. As a general rule, I try to apply rules as evenly as possible at my table, so what applies for Telepathy for one character should apply to all characters with Telepathy when ever possible. I was not trying to highjack the thread and I apologize.
And that's what I'm saying. Telepathic *commands* count as verbal for the purposes of Command and other spells that require verbal commands for control or whatever.
But the thri-kreen still use their physical mandibles to Verbal Component, recognizable audible sound (even if not words) that still do magic.
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
I'd also allow it. With the idea being that you need to do something actively to command the creatures. It seems like it fits. If someone was playing a character who used sign language, I'd certainly allow that to count as a verbal component, even though it isn't "spoken" in the sense of making a sound.
The only issue that comes to mind is, enemies can hear verbal commands (or see sign language) as opposed to telepathic signals being effectively secret communication. So, it could give the player a slight tactical advantage doing it telepathically over using their mouths. But then, the bad guys would be able to do it, too, so it would even out.
The silent aspect of telepathy is countered by its limited range and the need for line of sight.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Hi Folks!
I am starting to play a Moon Druid soon and want to take the Telepathic Feat at level 4 to be able to communicate with my party while being wildshaped - also, there are tons of shenanigans you can do with that, like terrorizing a paranoid NPC while being a cat and speak to him in his mind.
I know that a telepathic ability cannot replace the verbal component of a spell - but how about a verbal command?
Some spells, like Conjure Woodland Beings say that you can issue a "verbal command" to your summoned creatures. Could this command be telepathic?
I know I could cast the spell, issue the command to "attack all enemies until they are dead" and then bonus action wildshape, but sometimes you want to change an already given command
Good question.
With the Thri-kreen coming out in the next book, does telepathy count as "verbal"?
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
I don't think telepathy qualify as verbal components as it involve chanting words and making sounds with them;
Plaguescarred, I know, I explicitly mentioned that. But a verbal command is not the verbal component of a spell, isn't it?
So you are saying they shouldn't cast the Command spell since no one other than other Thri-kreen can understand them.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Verbal commands are not the same thing as verbal casting.
Casting must be Verbal, commands can be telepathic.
No its not but the only definition we have for verbal is spoken so its hard to tell when verbal is mentioned if it can involves soundless non-speech.
I dont think telepathy is verbal by all means but ask your DM anyway.
I would personally allow it. It doesn't seem broken and is a fun way to use your abilities with synergy.
I could see an argument for telepathic not technically counting as verbal, since verbal components of a spell cannot be. But I'd personally allow it for the commands, assuming that the creature is able to understand your command.
I'd also allow it. With the idea being that you need to do something actively to command the creatures. It seems like it fits. If someone was playing a character who used sign language, I'd certainly allow that to count as a verbal component, even though it isn't "spoken" in the sense of making a sound.
The only issue that comes to mind is, enemies can hear verbal commands (or see sign language) as opposed to telepathic signals being effectively secret communication. So, it could give the player a slight tactical advantage doing it telepathically over using their mouths. But then, the bad guys would be able to do it, too, so it would even out.
I see, so there is no sage advice or footnote in the PHB about it except the definition of the verbal component.
So I guess it is ultimately a DM decision. Thanks y'all!
if it helps as a forever DM
Telepathy as a spellcasting component is a no-go, as you have already acknowledged. but *absolutely* telepathic *commands* work for the purposes of commanding minions summoned by spells or the Command spell at my tables.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
The problem with this is the Thri-Kreen, who can't speak. Can they not be a caster? Most spells require V and you can't insist on the metamagic ability to remove it every time. If you allow them...then it becomes problematic as you try to explain why the Thri-Kreen can do it telepathically but others can't, or why the Thri-Kreen can skip the V component.
I think a more universal solution is that you can do it telepathically - but it requires an "open-broadcast" form that functions similarly to an actual verbal component, everyone can hear it that would have heard the verbal component of the spell.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
the kreen's verbal components aren't telepathic. They'll make their components in Thri-Kreen, or otherwise making noises via their mandibles, just like anyone else.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
I only brought up the Thri-Kreen because they have no spoken language and can't issue commands verbally. Seemed relevant to what the OP was asking. As a general rule, I try to apply rules as evenly as possible at my table, so what applies for Telepathy for one character should apply to all characters with Telepathy when ever possible. I was not trying to highjack the thread and I apologize.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
And that's what I'm saying. Telepathic *commands* count as verbal for the purposes of Command and other spells that require verbal commands for control or whatever.
But the thri-kreen still use their physical mandibles to Verbal Component, recognizable audible sound (even if not words) that still do magic.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
The silent aspect of telepathy is countered by its limited range and the need for line of sight.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Since you spent a feat to get Telepathic, as a DM I would allow its use for providing instructions to your previously summoned creatures.