Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Assuming an 11th level Life Cleric takes background as Magic Initiate Druid. Takes Poison Spray and Starry wisp as cantrips and healing word as spell. My logic says that if spell sniper is taken then it affects all cantrips/spells with an attack roll regardless of source. On DND Beyond it doesn't increase the range of either. Should the Wisdom modifier be added if the cleric has taken Potent Spellcasting at 7th? Am i mistaken in my thinking? (As an aside Healing Word does not show as a levelled up spell at 2nd to 6th on DND Beyond from the Magic Initiate maybe the same with Cure wounds for any classes.)
You're correct that Spell Sniper should affect all cantrips that use an attack roll, including Starry Wisp and the 2024 version of Poison Spray (though not the 2014 version). D&D Beyond may not have implemented the range increase, but it does still apply.
However, the Wisdom modifier should not be added to the damage rolls for these spells, since Potent Spellcasting specifically says it only applies to Cleric cantrips, and cantrips you get from a feat are not Cleric cantrips.
The issue with Magic Initiate spells not showing up as castable with spell slots is a known issue that's been reported many times; it's not clear if D&D Beyond plans on doing anything about it.
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Ty for your answer
Another question related to Spell Sniper:
Does Spell Sniper work with Star Druid's Archer Form? It is described as a "ranged spell attack".
Archer. A constellation of an archer appears on you. When you activate this form and as a Bonus Action on your subsequent turns while it lasts, you can make a ranged spell attack, hurling a luminous arrow that targets one creature within 60 feet of yourself. On a hit, the attack deals Radiant damage equal to 1d8 plus your Wisdom modifier.
I would say that no, Spell Sniper does not apply to Archer. Spell Sniper specifies "When you cast a spell that has a range of at least 10 feet and requires you to make an attack roll, you can increase the spell’s range by 60 feet." Starry form is not a spell, but a subclass feature which uses Wild Shapes.
Neither is the Archer's bonus attack in Starry Form a spell even though it is described as a ranged spell attack, it does not meet the criteria for a Spell as described in Chapter 7 of the PHB. For example, "every spell has a level from 0 to 9," and the Archer bonus attack has no level. Nor does it meet the criteria for casting without slots, nor does this have an entry in the listing of Spells.
The Archer's bonus attack not counting as a spell is a good thing though, as it allows you to both cast a higher level spell and also still attack with your bonus action. That's the main benefit of choosing that form in the first place.
This is one of those odd areas where it's possible to make a "spell attack" without actually casting a spell.
The old (2014) version of Spell Sniper did have one part that worked with the Stars Druid attack, because it said "your ranged spell attacks ignore half cover and three-quarters cover". However, the 2024 version changed this to "your attack rolls for spells ignore half cover and three-quarters cover". It's a subtle difference but it does matter in this specific case, and I think things like this are probably why they changed it.
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I would argue it works . even though its not a spell it is a ranged spell attack it would be mind numbingly stupid nerf it for no reason . so they could have worded it better but it still sounds like it works. also it works on dnd beyond so i think its intended to work.
Under the 5e/2014 rules for Spell Sniper, something which has a ranged spell attack will benefit from that feat. Under 5.5e/2024, Spell Sniper requires a spell to be cast, and just having a ranged spell attack does not make something a spell.
DnD Beyond is not the rules. Something working on DnD Beyond does not mean it follows the rules. Nor does something not working on DnD Beyond change something which does follow the rules into something which does not.
I think it's perfectly reasonable to house-rule that Spell Sniper does apply to "spell attacks" that aren't from spells. It makes thematic sense and I don't think it would cause any mechanical problems.
If the question is "Do I, wagnarokkr, think it should work that way?" or "Would I, wagnarokkr, rule it that way at my table?" the answer is Yes.
If the question is "Does it work that way according to a strict reading of the official rules?" the answer is definitely No.
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