I have been trying to figure out if you can pick which Ability score to use when determining the Spell Attack Bonus on a class feature when multiclassing in spellcasters.
Reason why I want to know is because I was trying to make a movement speed slow build with the Bladesinger’s Extra attack, using the Slasher Feat and Ray of Frost Cantrip to reduce an enemy’s movement speed by 20 feet. But what’s better then a 20 feet movement slow? Exactly, a 30 feet movement slow! So a dip in Fathomless Warlock to use the Tentacle of the Deeps feature would be a nice addition.
In the Tentacle of the Deeps feature it says “When you create the tentacle, you can make amelee spell attack against one creature within 10 feet of it.” The most logical thing would probably be to use your Charisma modifier for this attack seeing as it is a Warlock feature, But I can’t seem to find anything that wouldn’t allow you to use your (in this case) Intelligence modifier to make this attack.
Aswell the Pact Magic as the Spellcasting feature both make it pretty clear you use the according spellcasting ability for your spells, but not for your features. As shown here:
“Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your warlock spells, so you use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a warlock spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.”
With of course “..with one” indicates to spells, and the same states in the spellcasting feature from the Wizard.
So seeing as the Tentacle of the Deeps feature isn’t a spell, can you choose which Spellcasting Ability to use?
Perhaps somebody can remember a rule that I can't, but similar to you I can find a rule for spellcasting abilities and spells, but not spellcasting abilities with features.
I think the intent is that you are supposed to only use your Warlock modifier because it is a Warlock feature. Trying to use another class' bonus feels like cheesing, and I wouldn't allow it at my table (excluding rule of cool of course).
From Making an Attack in the Basic Rules: "Some spells also require an attack roll. The ability modifier used for a spell attack depends on the spellcasting ability of the spellcaster."
"Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus."
I feel like this still specifies only for actual Spells and not everything that is considered a spell attack. But I can understand that they mend to imply spell attacks in general, even though they don't describe class features. Thanks for the clarification!
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I have been trying to figure out if you can pick which Ability score to use when determining the Spell Attack Bonus on a class feature when multiclassing in spellcasters.
Reason why I want to know is because I was trying to make a movement speed slow build with the Bladesinger’s Extra attack, using the Slasher Feat and Ray of Frost Cantrip to reduce an enemy’s movement speed by 20 feet. But what’s better then a 20 feet movement slow? Exactly, a 30 feet movement slow! So a dip in Fathomless Warlock to use the Tentacle of the Deeps feature would be a nice addition.
In the Tentacle of the Deeps feature it says “When you create the tentacle, you can make a melee spell attack against one creature within 10 feet of it.” The most logical thing would probably be to use your Charisma modifier for this attack seeing as it is a Warlock feature, But I can’t seem to find anything that wouldn’t allow you to use your (in this case) Intelligence modifier to make this attack.
Aswell the Pact Magic as the Spellcasting feature both make it pretty clear you use the according spellcasting ability for your spells, but not for your features. As shown here:
“Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your warlock spells, so you use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a warlock spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.”
With of course “..with one” indicates to spells, and the same states in the spellcasting feature from the Wizard.
So seeing as the Tentacle of the Deeps feature isn’t a spell, can you choose which Spellcasting Ability to use?
Rule lawyer by nature, Homebrewer by heart.
Perhaps somebody can remember a rule that I can't, but similar to you I can find a rule for spellcasting abilities and spells, but not spellcasting abilities with features.
I think the intent is that you are supposed to only use your Warlock modifier because it is a Warlock feature. Trying to use another class' bonus feels like cheesing, and I wouldn't allow it at my table (excluding rule of cool of course).
From Making an Attack in the Basic Rules: "Some spells also require an attack roll. The ability modifier used for a spell attack depends on the spellcasting ability of the spellcaster."
From the Multiclassing Spellcasting section of the Basic Rules (link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options#Spellcasting):
"Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus."
As mentioned in a previous post, there is this line buried in the Attack Rolls section of Chapter 9:
I feel like this still specifies only for actual Spells and not everything that is considered a spell attack. But I can understand that they mend to imply spell attacks in general, even though they don't describe class features. Thanks for the clarification!
Rule lawyer by nature, Homebrewer by heart.