Wall of force doesn't state that it's full cover nor qualifies as such.
While a Wall of Force doesn't explicitly says it provide total cover, it certainly qualify as such since nothing can physically pass through the wall and cover be walls, trees, creatures, and other obstacles. The Dev also offer an opinion in that sense.
I wouldn't see the reason to mention that nothing physically can pass through the wall when that's all walls that are physical. Total cover isn't talking about something like wall of force in its example and if it's considered so it ends up with windows providing it. Total cover requires complete concealment, it's required. Another requirement for total cover is not being able to be targeted by a spell. As in not seen. Seeing the target is required for almost every spell, so is having a line of effect like say fireball if it's completely around you. The fact that you can be being targeted behind a wall of force with a spell that doesn't physically pass through means it isn't total cover because you can see them. The weave doesn't suddenly disappear inside a wall of force. The dev would be wrong by the games own admission and lore unless said dev thought every spell had a physical line of connection and that brings many more problems than wall of force itself would present.
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell," Doesn't qualify, many spells specify if you see the target and target directly. Hideous Laughter would still qualify for affecting the target. "although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect." Wall of force qualifies for this since it blocks anything physical. Fireball physically goes around corners as an example. The problem is that it can be 360 meaning it can't do that. "A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle." Something you blatantly not are since you're out in the open, albeit behind an invisible force. To be concealed is to be hidden away, the stealth skill defines it as such. Would you say the rogue can stealth (Conceal themselves or are already concealed) because they're behind a wall of force? No. It fails every definition of full cover because it isn't a normal wall, just like wall of fire isn't a normal wall and you can attack through it physically. There is a reason it isn't in the sage advice compendium.
Windows do provide total cover according to the Devs.
The is a difference between cover and obscurement. Being completely concealed by an obstacle in the context of total cover refers to "covering or obstructing a path to" not "preventing vision." like obscurement per se. Cover is about physical obstacle intervening in between attackers and targets, regardless if it can see through or not.
@DerynDraconis Is a glass window considered a total cover for the purpose of targeting a creature with Hold Person spell?
@JeremyECrawford A solid obstacle, regardless of material, can provide total cover. A closed window counts.
@TubaDanCross could a wizard make a sphere around a creature using wall of force and then chill touch to damage them through the wall?
@JeremyECrawfordUnless a spell says otherwise, you can't target someone behind total cover (PH, 204).
Sage Advice Compendium actually officially ruling a similar case with Resilient Sphere;
If you are affecting a target with telekinesis and an ally put you inside Otiluke’s resilient sphere, can you continue affecting the target or other targets with the existing telekinesis spell? You can maintain your telekinetic grip on a target you were already affecting, but you can’t affect a new target. The sphere provides total cover that stops you from targeting anything outside it.
Homebrew a Wand of Disintegration. 2-3 charges maybe? On encounters with "boss" types, a minion has one and uses it to destroy the wall. Why are minions suddenly carrying around these freakin' wands? Well, the BBEG HAS been watching and knows how to get rid of them. Sometimes the minion will get to fire the wand and clear the wall, other times the party kills said minion before the wand gets used. In either case, the group could find the wand while looting and now understand their enemies are wise to their trick and thus it might not be the "easy win" they had hoped for.
I recently saw a lore video about a dragon with wands connected to it's wings to use like guns on a plane and I'm here for it.
Though personally I think the idea of a dragon swooping in with a swarm of animated staves and wands behind them is a much cooler vibe. Now that's an epic level dragon encounter. Just use the animated staff stat blocks as minions.
Hear me out.... I'd either talk to the player, and either change the spell somehow, or remove it from you game and let them pick a new spell. Here's why;
Yes, you can do stuff to counter it as a GM, but then you are specifically designing encounters to nullify the impact of the play/spell anyhow. It 's going to get obvious very fast that every time this is cast, there happens to be a counterspell ready, or disintegrate, or 10 minions to cause concentration checks. The DM wastes time on thinking the crap up and the player gets to have their turn and spellslot made worthless.
The alternative is to leave it as is and allow it to completely trivialize fights, turning them into a forgone conclusion with very little if any challenge.
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Windows do provide total cover according to the Devs.
The is a difference between cover and obscurement. Being completely concealed by an obstacle in the context of total cover refers to "covering or obstructing a path to" not "preventing vision." like obscurement per se. Cover is about physical obstacle intervening in between attackers and targets, regardless if it can see through or not.
@DerynDraconis Is a glass window considered a total cover for the purpose of targeting a creature with Hold Person spell?
@JeremyECrawford A solid obstacle, regardless of material, can provide total cover. A closed window counts.
@TubaDanCross could a wizard make a sphere around a creature using wall of force and then chill touch to damage them through the wall?
@JeremyECrawford Unless a spell says otherwise, you can't target someone behind total cover (PH, 204).
Sage Advice Compendium actually officially ruling a similar case with Resilient Sphere;
I recently saw a lore video about a dragon with wands connected to it's wings to use like guns on a plane and I'm here for it.
Though personally I think the idea of a dragon swooping in with a swarm of animated staves and wands behind them is a much cooler vibe. Now that's an epic level dragon encounter. Just use the animated staff stat blocks as minions.
Hear me out....
I'd either talk to the player, and either change the spell somehow, or remove it from you game and let them pick a new spell. Here's why;
Yes, you can do stuff to counter it as a GM, but then you are specifically designing encounters to nullify the impact of the play/spell anyhow. It 's going to get obvious very fast that every time this is cast, there happens to be a counterspell ready, or disintegrate, or 10 minions to cause concentration checks. The DM wastes time on thinking the crap up and the player gets to have their turn and spellslot made worthless.
The alternative is to leave it as is and allow it to completely trivialize fights, turning them into a forgone conclusion with very little if any challenge.