I am having a heated discussion with a player who believes that a catapulted object using the spell can potentially hit more players if the first target misses a dex save. He believes that by straight line they mean liek a gun and anything in the 90 feet range in that straight line can potentially be targeted?, The spell seems to say straight line, but does it mean straight out in front on an arc like a real catapult or a straight line like shooting from a gun? Since the object travels 90 feet, if a mob at 30 feet makes his DEX save and dodges, does the poor sap behind him 10 feet further have to make the same DEX save and potentially take damage?
For reference: Catapult. Important bits are bolded below:
Choose one object weighing 1 to 5 pounds within range that isn’t being worn or carried. The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground, stopping early if it impacts against a solid surface. If the object would strike a creature, that creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the object strikes the target and stops moving. When the object strikes something, the object and what it strikes each take 3d8 bludgeoning damage.
The object only stops moving if it either strikes a solid surface, or if a creature fails their saving throw against it. Otherwise, it continues to travel the full distance. So yes, your player is correct: If the first target succeeds on their saving throw, the object does not stop moving and will continue along its straight path. If another creature is in the way, that creature must then make the save, and so on and so forth.
So if you can line up a bunch of creatures, Catapult is almost guaranteed to hit someone.
Thank you. It does seem odd to call the spell Catapult and then have it travel contrary to a catapult. I guess we can assume the projectile bounces and rolls along or whatever.
It does seem odd to call the spell Catapult and then have it travel contrary to a catapult.
Have you seen chill touch? If that misnomer can pass muster without being a touch range spell or do any cold damage, catapult can define any movement pattern it pleases, regardless of the name.
Thank you. It does seem odd to call the spell Catapult and then have it travel contrary to a catapult. I guess we can assume the projectile bounces and rolls along or whatever.
I agree that it's strange. 5e has no such rules for use of missile weapons when shooting into crowds. Typically you'll just roll to hit the chosen target and, if you miss, that will typically be it.
Of the options you mention, I'd go with "whatever". The spell says "The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground" with the only falling mentioned being at 90 feet.
The object just moves through the air in a line, it doesn't roll on the ground. Basically, choose a direction and the object is magically yeeted that way.
As for the name - there is nothing strange about it at all.
What the spell does: throws something with great force.
What the word catapult (verb) means: "to throw something with great force".
A catapult, as a noun, just means a device that throws something with great force. There are some catapults that shot things in an arc and some that shot in a straight line. A slingshot is a type of catapult, for example.
So, really don't understand why anyone is finding this a strange name for a spell that literally replicates the effect of a catapult (noun), and does catapult (verb) things.
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The object just moves through the air in a line, ... there is nothing strange about it at all.
unless you consider things defying gravity to be strange.
I'd chalk this one to a difference in perspectives.
We momentarily defy gravity all the time. We throw things. Plus, it's magic.
A gun catapults a bullet in a straight line - and a lot further than 90 ft. Do you consider that strange? I also don't understand the point as the "strange" was reference to the use of the word "catapult" as a spell name and not with things being thrown magically as a concept.
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"The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground" "... straight line ... falling ..." One person finds this strange. Another person doesn't. What a wonderfully varied world we live in.
"The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground" "... straight line ... falling ..." One person finds this strange. Another person doesn't. What a wonderfully varied world we live in.
All magic spells should be considered strange from the perspective of normal real life physics. They are, specifically, a way in which your character can defy normal laws of reality. Inherently, strange.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
"The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground" "... straight line ... falling ..." One person finds this strange. Another person doesn't. What a wonderfully varied world we live in.
All magic spells should be considered strange from the perspective of normal real life physics. They are, specifically, a way in which your character can defy normal laws of reality. Inherently, strange.
Yep, most here would agree it's strange, though with spells having different forms of strangeness.
Reverse gravity directly produces the effects of d&d gravity but in reverse. Catapult does not directly produce the effects of a catapult. It has a strangeness all of its own.
Catapult does not directly produce the effects of a catapult.
Yes, it does. You launch the object with extreme force. exactly like being launched from a catapult. It travels in a straight line. Unfortunately, unlike normal catapult ammo, the magic fails at 90ft, and the force empowered into the object entirely disappears. This causes the object to clatter the the ground.
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I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
Catapult does not directly produce the effects of a catapult.
Yes, it does. You launch the object with extreme force. exactly like being launched from a catapult. It travels in a straight line. Unfortunately, unlike normal catapult ammo, the magic fails at 90ft, and the force empowered into the object entirely disappears. This causes the object to clatter the the ground.
Objects launched by a real-world catapult travel in a parabolic arc. Objects launched by a Catapult spell travel in a straight line for up to 90 feet because that is what the spell says it does. (I always figured the choice of spell name was intentionally humorous.)
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Helpful rewriter of Japanese->English translation and delver into software codebases (she/e/they)
Catapult does not directly produce the effects of a catapult.
Yes, it does. You launch the object with extreme force. exactly like being launched from a catapult. It travels in a straight line. Unfortunately, unlike normal catapult ammo, the magic fails at 90ft, and the force empowered into the object entirely disappears. This causes the object to clatter the the ground.
Objects launched by a real-world catapult travel in a parabolic arc. Objects launched by a Catapult spell travel in a straight line for up to 90 feet because that is what the spell says it does. (I always figured the choice of spell name was intentionally humorous.)
Okay add in a brief non-gravity interaction while it is affected. There. Mysterious physics of how this -checks notes- magic spell functions is solved.
(Edit: If it was travelling fast enough the rise/fall would be minimal anyway)
Anyway, you guys are confusing the verb "Catapult" with the standard operating constraints of the mundane object/noun catapult.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
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I am having a heated discussion with a player who believes that a catapulted object using the spell can potentially hit more players if the first target misses a dex save. He believes that by straight line they mean liek a gun and anything in the 90 feet range in that straight line can potentially be targeted?, The spell seems to say straight line, but does it mean straight out in front on an arc like a real catapult or a straight line like shooting from a gun? Since the object travels 90 feet, if a mob at 30 feet makes his DEX save and dodges, does the poor sap behind him 10 feet further have to make the same DEX save and potentially take damage?
For reference: Catapult. Important bits are bolded below:
The object only stops moving if it either strikes a solid surface, or if a creature fails their saving throw against it. Otherwise, it continues to travel the full distance. So yes, your player is correct: If the first target succeeds on their saving throw, the object does not stop moving and will continue along its straight path. If another creature is in the way, that creature must then make the save, and so on and so forth.
So if you can line up a bunch of creatures, Catapult is almost guaranteed to hit someone.
Thank you. It does seem odd to call the spell Catapult and then have it travel contrary to a catapult. I guess we can assume the projectile bounces and rolls along or whatever.
Have you seen chill touch? If that misnomer can pass muster without being a touch range spell or do any cold damage, catapult can define any movement pattern it pleases, regardless of the name.
I agree that it's strange. 5e has no such rules for use of missile weapons when shooting into crowds. Typically you'll just roll to hit the chosen target and, if you miss, that will typically be it.
Of the options you mention, I'd go with "whatever". The spell says "The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground" with the only falling mentioned being at 90 feet.
The object just moves through the air in a line, it doesn't roll on the ground. Basically, choose a direction and the object is magically yeeted that way.
As for the name - there is nothing strange about it at all.
What the spell does: throws something with great force.
What the word catapult (verb) means: "to throw something with great force".
A catapult, as a noun, just means a device that throws something with great force. There are some catapults that shot things in an arc and some that shot in a straight line. A slingshot is a type of catapult, for example.
So, really don't understand why anyone is finding this a strange name for a spell that literally replicates the effect of a catapult (noun), and does catapult (verb) things.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
unless you consider things defying gravity to be strange.
I'd chalk this one to a difference in perspectives.
We momentarily defy gravity all the time. We throw things. Plus, it's magic.
A gun catapults a bullet in a straight line - and a lot further than 90 ft. Do you consider that strange? I also don't understand the point as the "strange" was reference to the use of the word "catapult" as a spell name and not with things being thrown magically as a concept.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
"The object flies in a straight line up to 90 feet in a direction you choose before falling to the ground"
"... straight line ... falling ..."
One person finds this strange. Another person doesn't. What a wonderfully varied world we live in.
All magic spells should be considered strange from the perspective of normal real life physics. They are, specifically, a way in which your character can defy normal laws of reality. Inherently, strange.
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
Yep, most here would agree it's strange, though with spells having different forms of strangeness.
Reverse gravity directly produces the effects of d&d gravity but in reverse.
Catapult does not directly produce the effects of a catapult.
It has a strangeness all of its own.
Yes, it does. You launch the object with extreme force. exactly like being launched from a catapult. It travels in a straight line. Unfortunately, unlike normal catapult ammo, the magic fails at 90ft, and the force empowered into the object entirely disappears. This causes the object to clatter the the ground.
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
Objects launched by a real-world catapult travel in a parabolic arc. Objects launched by a Catapult spell travel in a straight line for up to 90 feet because that is what the spell says it does. (I always figured the choice of spell name was intentionally humorous.)
Helpful rewriter of Japanese->English translation and delver into software codebases (she/e/they)
Okay add in a brief non-gravity interaction while it is affected. There. Mysterious physics of how this -checks notes- magic spell functions is solved.
(Edit: If it was travelling fast enough the rise/fall would be minimal anyway)
Anyway, you guys are confusing the verb "Catapult" with the standard operating constraints of the mundane object/noun catapult.
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.