You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 necrotic damage, and it can't regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Until then, the hand clings to the target.
If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.
This spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
So here is the thing: it creates the spell effect within the space of the creature, and then you make a spell attack. So since the effect is coming from the same space, there is no cover between the effect and target.
And like Dimension Door, the spell description seems to void the "Clear path to the target" rule since it states "You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range." There is no sight requirement to the spell.
Am I crazy, or does it seem like chill touch ignores cover RAW?
You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 necrotic damage, and it can't regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Until then, the hand clings to the target.
If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.
This spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
So here is the thing: it creates the spell effect within the space of the creature, and then you make a spell attack. So since the effect is coming from the same space, there is no cover between the effect and target.
And like Dimension Door, the spell description seems to void the "Clear path to the target" rule since it states "You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range." There is no sight requirement to the spell.
Am I crazy, or does it seem like chill touch ignores cover RAW?
Dimension Door doesn't void cover, people just commonly disregard the RAW and play it the way everyone thinks it should be played. RAW, neither Dimension Door nor Chill Touch ignore total cover.
You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 necrotic damage, and it can't regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Until then, the hand clings to the target.
If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.
This spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
So here is the thing: it creates the spell effect within the space of the creature, and then you make a spell attack. So since the effect is coming from the same space, there is no cover between the effect and target.
And like Dimension Door, the spell description seems to void the "Clear path to the target" rule since it states "You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range." There is no sight requirement to the spell.
Am I crazy, or does it seem like chill touch ignores cover RAW?
Dimension Door doesn't void cover, people just commonly disregard the RAW and play it the way everyone thinks it should be played. RAW, neither Dimension Door nor Chill Touch ignore total cover.
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
Are you actually targeting anything with dimension door? The spell says nothing about targeting. It says you teleport from one space to another. So got a locked door and a 4th level spell slot burning a hole in your pocket? You can dimension door to the other side by going 5 or 10 feet forward
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
The spell specifically gives the example of going 200 feet straight down... as in, through the floor. It also says it can simply be a place that can be visualized, as in a place you cannot see directly.
Unless the spell's description can override the general rule, the spell's description is nonsensical.
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
Are you actually targeting anything with dimension door? The spell says nothing about targeting. It says you teleport from one space to another. So got a locked door and a 4th level spell slot burning a hole in your pocket? You can dimension door to the other side by going 5 or 10 feet forward
Yes, the spells range is 500ft, so you are targeting a location within that range. In constrast, a spell like Misty step specifies a range of self, because it is targeting the caster.
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
Yes, the spell's text does override it.The target can be any location you can visualize or describe with a direction and a distance. I can describe "behind that door over there" by saying "30 feet west" or whatever. If I've seen the room on the other side, I can visualize it. Therefore, it's a valid target.
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
Yes, the spell's text does override it.The target can be any location you can visualize or describe with a direction and a distance. I can describe "behind that door over there" by saying "30 feet west" or whatever. If I've seen the room on the other side, I can visualize it. Therefore, it's a valid target.
So we know Dimension Door can break that rule. But it does give some text describing how it does that. So do you think Chill Touch does the same by only listing the targeting parameter of "a creature within range"?
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
Yes, the spell's text does override it.The target can be any location you can visualize or describe with a direction and a distance. I can describe "behind that door over there" by saying "30 feet west" or whatever. If I've seen the room on the other side, I can visualize it. Therefore, it's a valid target.
So we know Dimension Door can break that rule. But it does give some text describing how it does that. So do you think Chill Touch does the same by only listing the targeting parameter of "a creature within range"?
No. Dimension door is very specific about what it can target. Chill Touch doesn't include any text that would override general targeting restrictions.
So here is the thing: it creates the spell effect within the space of the creature, and then you make a spell attack. So since the effect is coming from the same space, there is no cover between the effect and target.
And like Dimension Door, the spell description seems to void the "Clear path to the target" rule since it states "You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range." There is no sight requirement to the spell.
Am I crazy, or does it seem like chill touch ignores cover RAW?
Ignoring the D-door comment for a moment. The rules for cover and ranged attacks are not overruled by anything in the description (as opposed to spells like sacred flame that do). So no.
Now about dimension door. Teleportation spells are rather inconsistent with each other in how they are written and not good examples for comparing with other spells. D-door does fully describe being able to go somewhere behind cover without explicitly stating it ignores cover. Comparatively, chill touch is much more vague about whether it ignores cover.
You are the one making the ranged attack. Cover applies unless it specifically says otherwise. You don't start making rules exceptions based on the flavor description unless the RAW is unclear, and it's not unclear here.
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
Going to go ahead and skip 15 posts of people arguing about something else about Dimension Door in favor of focusing on Chapter 10...
You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. ...
A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell's magic. A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below).... To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can't be behind total cover.
Every area of effect has a point of origin, a location from which the spell's energy erupts. ... A spell's effect expands in straight lines from the point of origin. If no unblocked straight line extends from the point of origin to a location within the area of effect, that location isn't included in the spell's area.
A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of the cover.
5E has a hard time keeping straight whether a point of origin and a target are the same thing, and whether a "target" is the creature you effect with a spell or the point of origin within range that a spell effect spreads from, and when to consider you the caster as the point of origin for the spell vs. some other space as the point of origin for the spell's effect, etc etc etc... for every spell you find that works one way, you'll find another that works a different way.
I think that the spell description of Chill Touch is pretty explicit that a force doesn't travel from you the caster towards a target creature, but rather that the caster chooses a space that contains a creature, creates a spell effect there, and then that effect attacks a target enemy (basically, shared-space one-off Spiritual Weapon). That means:
The caster needs to have line of effect in order to place the effect in a given square (half or 3/4 cover ok to target a space with an effect)
That square is now the point or origin for the effect, which makes an attack roll against a creature in that space. The creature has no cover vs. that effect.
So, you can't use Chill Touch against a target in Total Cover, because you can't target that space as the point of origin. But once you target a point of origin through 3/4 or less cover, Chill Touch can attack an enemy in that square with no penalty from cover.
Here is the way I see it: things in Dnd generally don't do more than exactly what they say they do. I understand the confusion about Chill touch, however, because there are things that specifically state that they ignore cover (Sacred Flame, Sharp Shooter, etc.) but Chill touch does not have that as a stated part of it. Given that 5e was designed to be "simple" we should attempt to rule things as simply and consistently as possible and the simplest interpretation of the rules is that is affected by the cover because it is an attack and attacks are affected by cover.
CC above me has given an excellent backdown of a justification for a ruling on the matter, Your original point is also enough to bring about the discussion, I have made my opinion known about it as well. As with most things, it will be up to the DM.
Going to go ahead and skip 15 posts of people arguing about something else about Dimension Door in favor of focusing on Chapter 10...
You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. ...
A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell's magic. A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below).... To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can't be behind total cover.
Every area of effect has a point of origin, a location from which the spell's energy erupts. ... A spell's effect expands in straight lines from the point of origin. If no unblocked straight line extends from the point of origin to a location within the area of effect, that location isn't included in the spell's area.
A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of the cover.
5E has a hard time keeping straight whether a point of origin and a target are the same thing, and whether a "target" is the creature you effect with a spell or the point of origin within range that a spell effect spreads from, and when to consider you the caster as the point of origin for the spell vs. some other space as the point of origin for the spell's effect, etc etc etc... for every spell you find that works one way, you'll find another that works a different way.
I think that the spell description of Chill Touch is pretty explicit that a force doesn't travel from you the caster towards a target creature, but rather that the caster chooses a space that contains a creature, creates a spell effect there, and then that effect attacks a target enemy (basically, shared-space one-off Spiritual Weapon). That means:
The caster needs to have line of effect in order to place the effect in a given square (half or 3/4 cover ok to target a space with an effect)
That square is now the point or origin for the effect, which makes an attack roll against a creature in that space. The creature has no cover vs. that effect.
So, you can't use Chill Touch against a target in Total Cover, because you can't target that space as the point of origin. But once you target a point of origin through 3/4 or less cover, Chill Touch can attack an enemy in that square with no penalty from cover.
"A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of the cover."
The cover rule has its own exception though, and it explains the unobstructed path rule. A beam or projectile must reach the target.
Chill touch's spell attack doesn't originate from the caster though, it originates in the same space as the target, voiding cover.
As for the targeting section, including the unobstructed path rule, it depends upon the spell itself specifying what it targets:
"A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below)."
But Chill Touch never describes targeting a creature. The only point where another rule comes in to describe a target, the spell attack, comes in after the spectral hand is created as the origin of the spell:
"You can make ranged attacks only against targets within a specified range. If a ranged attack, such as one made with a spell, has a single range, you can't attack a target beyond this range."
So there is no point where cover can interfere in targeting, according to the rules as written.
Going to go ahead and skip 15 posts of people arguing about something else about Dimension Door in favor of focusing on Chapter 10...
You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. ...
A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell's magic. A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below).... To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can't be behind total cover.
Every area of effect has a point of origin, a location from which the spell's energy erupts. ... A spell's effect expands in straight lines from the point of origin. If no unblocked straight line extends from the point of origin to a location within the area of effect, that location isn't included in the spell's area.
A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of the cover.
5E has a hard time keeping straight whether a point of origin and a target are the same thing, and whether a "target" is the creature you effect with a spell or the point of origin within range that a spell effect spreads from, and when to consider you the caster as the point of origin for the spell vs. some other space as the point of origin for the spell's effect, etc etc etc... for every spell you find that works one way, you'll find another that works a different way.
I think that the spell description of Chill Touch is pretty explicit that a force doesn't travel from you the caster towards a target creature, but rather that the caster chooses a space that contains a creature, creates a spell effect there, and then that effect attacks a target enemy (basically, shared-space one-off Spiritual Weapon). That means:
The caster needs to have line of effect in order to place the effect in a given square (half or 3/4 cover ok to target a space with an effect)
That square is now the point or origin for the effect, which makes an attack roll against a creature in that space. The creature has no cover vs. that effect.
So, you can't use Chill Touch against a target in Total Cover, because you can't target that space as the point of origin. But once you target a point of origin through 3/4 or less cover, Chill Touch can attack an enemy in that square with no penalty from cover.
"A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of the cover."
The cover rule has its own exception though, and it explains the unobstructed path rule. A beam or projectile must reach the target.
Chill touch's spell attack doesn't originate from the caster though, it originates in the same space as the target, voiding cover.
As for the targeting section, including the unobstructed path rule, it depends upon the spell itself specifying what it targets:
"A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below)."
But Chill Touch never describes targeting a creature. The only point where another rule comes in to describe a target, the spell attack, comes in after the spectral hand is created as the origin of the spell:
"You can make ranged attacks only against targets within a specified range. If a ranged attack, such as one made with a spell, has a single range, you can't attack a target beyond this range."
So there is no point where cover can interfere in targeting, according to the rules as written.
That’s not right. As Ophidimancer explained, the point of origin is the caster. The caster makes the attack, and there’s no text about the attack originating from any other space, like the Echo Knight fighter subclass has. A DM can do whatever makes sense for them; this is just the RAW answer.
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So the text for Chill Touch looks really weird:
So here is the thing: it creates the spell effect within the space of the creature, and then you make a spell attack. So since the effect is coming from the same space, there is no cover between the effect and target.
And like Dimension Door, the spell description seems to void the "Clear path to the target" rule since it states "You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range." There is no sight requirement to the spell.
Am I crazy, or does it seem like chill touch ignores cover RAW?
It would not ignore cover because it is a ranged spell attack and all attacks (spell or not) are affected by cover unless otherwise stated.
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Dimension Door doesn't void cover, people just commonly disregard the RAW and play it the way everyone thinks it should be played. RAW, neither Dimension Door nor Chill Touch ignore total cover.
Dimension Door absolutely ignores cover. If you care to read the spell text, you'll find targeting information that specifically overrides the general "clear path to target" rule: "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as '200 feet straight downward' or 'upward to the northwest at a 45- degree angle, 300 feet.'"
No, the rules you just provided mean you don't need to be able to see the target. Nothing in the rules text, including the part you quoted, lets the spell ignore total cover, which is not a function of sight:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/combat#TotalCover
"A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle."
So, yes, of course you can cast Dimension Door and teleport to your location while blinded and deafened. The rules text you just provided says so. But the rules also say Dimension Door can't target a space behind total cover, and nothing in the spell's text overrides this.
Are you actually targeting anything with dimension door? The spell says nothing about targeting. It says you teleport from one space to another. So got a locked door and a 4th level spell slot burning a hole in your pocket? You can dimension door to the other side by going 5 or 10 feet forward
The spell specifically gives the example of going 200 feet straight down... as in, through the floor. It also says it can simply be a place that can be visualized, as in a place you cannot see directly.
Unless the spell's description can override the general rule, the spell's description is nonsensical.
Edit: Crawford Confirmation https://www.sageadvice.eu/so-you-cant-dimension-door-behind-total-cover-then/
Yes, the spells range is 500ft, so you are targeting a location within that range. In constrast, a spell like Misty step specifies a range of self, because it is targeting the caster.
Yes, the spell's text does override it.The target can be any location you can visualize or describe with a direction and a distance. I can describe "behind that door over there" by saying "30 feet west" or whatever. If I've seen the room on the other side, I can visualize it. Therefore, it's a valid target.
So we know Dimension Door can break that rule. But it does give some text describing how it does that. So do you think Chill Touch does the same by only listing the targeting parameter of "a creature within range"?
No. Dimension door is very specific about what it can target. Chill Touch doesn't include any text that would override general targeting restrictions.
It does give a specific targeting parameter that no other spell has though. The closest analogue I can think of is Spiritual Weapon.
Ignoring the D-door comment for a moment. The rules for cover and ranged attacks are not overruled by anything in the description (as opposed to spells like sacred flame that do). So no.
Now about dimension door. Teleportation spells are rather inconsistent with each other in how they are written and not good examples for comparing with other spells. D-door does fully describe being able to go somewhere behind cover without explicitly stating it ignores cover. Comparatively, chill touch is much more vague about whether it ignores cover.
No it doesn't? It's just a creature within range, same as fire bolt.
Actually, firebolt still specifically comes from the caster, rather than appearing in the target's space.
You are the one making the ranged attack. Cover applies unless it specifically says otherwise. You don't start making rules exceptions based on the flavor description unless the RAW is unclear, and it's not unclear here.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
No, but actually yes.
Going to go ahead and skip 15 posts of people arguing about something else about Dimension Door in favor of focusing on Chapter 10...
5E has a hard time keeping straight whether a point of origin and a target are the same thing, and whether a "target" is the creature you effect with a spell or the point of origin within range that a spell effect spreads from, and when to consider you the caster as the point of origin for the spell vs. some other space as the point of origin for the spell's effect, etc etc etc... for every spell you find that works one way, you'll find another that works a different way.
I think that the spell description of Chill Touch is pretty explicit that a force doesn't travel from you the caster towards a target creature, but rather that the caster chooses a space that contains a creature, creates a spell effect there, and then that effect attacks a target enemy (basically, shared-space one-off Spiritual Weapon). That means:
So, you can't use Chill Touch against a target in Total Cover, because you can't target that space as the point of origin. But once you target a point of origin through 3/4 or less cover, Chill Touch can attack an enemy in that square with no penalty from cover.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
Here is the way I see it: things in Dnd generally don't do more than exactly what they say they do. I understand the confusion about Chill touch, however, because there are things that specifically state that they ignore cover (Sacred Flame, Sharp Shooter, etc.) but Chill touch does not have that as a stated part of it. Given that 5e was designed to be "simple" we should attempt to rule things as simply and consistently as possible and the simplest interpretation of the rules is that is affected by the cover because it is an attack and attacks are affected by cover.
CC above me has given an excellent backdown of a justification for a ruling on the matter, Your original point is also enough to bring about the discussion, I have made my opinion known about it as well. As with most things, it will be up to the DM.
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"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
"A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of the cover."
The cover rule has its own exception though, and it explains the unobstructed path rule. A beam or projectile must reach the target.
Chill touch's spell attack doesn't originate from the caster though, it originates in the same space as the target, voiding cover.
As for the targeting section, including the unobstructed path rule, it depends upon the spell itself specifying what it targets:
"A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below)."
But Chill Touch never describes targeting a creature. The only point where another rule comes in to describe a target, the spell attack, comes in after the spectral hand is created as the origin of the spell:
"You can make ranged attacks only against targets within a specified range.
If a ranged attack, such as one made with a spell, has a single range, you can't attack a target beyond this range."
So there is no point where cover can interfere in targeting, according to the rules as written.
That’s not right. As Ophidimancer explained, the point of origin is the caster. The caster makes the attack, and there’s no text about the attack originating from any other space, like the Echo Knight fighter subclass has. A DM can do whatever makes sense for them; this is just the RAW answer.