I'm trying to make sure I'm clear about this. If a character with the Sentinel feat is within 5 feet of enemy, and that enemy attacks ANYONE other than the character, the character is allowed an Opportunity Attack. It does not have to be a melee attack against someone nearby, it could be a spell or ranged attack as well. Here is what I base that on.
<From Sentinel Feat> Guardian. Immediately after a creature within 5 feet of you takes the Disengage action or hits a target other than you with an attack, you can make an Opportunity Attack against that creature. <2024 Players Handbook>
<From Combat> When you take the Attack action, you make an attack. Some other actions, Bonus Actions, and Reactions also let you make an attack. Whether you strike with a Melee weapon, fire a Ranged weapon, or make an attack roll as part of a spell..." <2024 Players Handbook>
Based on RAW, I would think this applies to any spell that has an attack roll (but perhaps not spell attacks with no roll, like Hold, Sleep?) but would include AoE spells or any damaging spell. If the enemy spell does damage, does the character get an Opportunity Attack?
And taking this one step further, if the character also has the War Caster feat, could they then use a spell instead of that Opportunity Attack (of course, forgoing the Halt capability of Sentinel since the character no longer hits with the Opportunity Attack)?
It should be a melee attack, because the feat says "you can make an Opportunity Attack against that creature", and "to make the Opportunity Attack, take a Reaction to make one melee attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike against the provoking creature."
EDIT: to get what you want, you would need War Caster instead as you were suggesting:
Reactive Spell. When a creature provokes an Opportunity Attack from you by leaving your reach, you can take a Reaction to cast a spell at the creature rather than making an Opportunity Attack. The spell must have a casting time of one action and must target only that creature.
If I'm understanding the question correctly you're asking if the character with sentinel that is within 5 ft of a creature can make an opportunity attack against that creature if it makes a spell attack or ranged attack against a target other than the character. The answer is yes but things that don't make attack rolls (like fireball, sacred flame, hold person, a breath weapon) don't provoke the guardian opportunity attack because it clearly says "or hits a target other than you with an attack" not "or damages a target other than you".
Your other question about when you can use war caster's reactive spell feature in combination with sentinel the answer is no. This is what reactive spell says.
"Reactive Spell. When a creature provokes an Opportunity Attack from you by leaving your reach, you can take a Reaction to cast a spell at the creature rather than making an Opportunity Attack. The spell must have a casting time of one action and must target only that creature."
Reactive spell can only be used when you can take an opportunity attack because a creature left your reach which does not include the opportunity attack gained by sentinel's guardian feature.
I'm trying to make sure I'm clear about this. If a character with the Sentinel feat is within 5 feet of enemy, and that enemy attacks ANYONE other than the character, the character is allowed an Opportunity Attack. It does not have to be a melee attack against someone nearby, it could be a spell or ranged attack as well. Here is what I base that on.
<From Sentinel Feat> Guardian. Immediately after a creature within 5 feet of you takes the Disengage action or hits a target other than you with an attack, you can make an Opportunity Attack against that creature. <2024 Players Handbook>
<From Combat> When you take the Attack action, you make an attack. Some other actions, Bonus Actions, and Reactions also let you make an attack. Whether you strike with a Melee weapon, fire a Ranged weapon, or make an attack roll as part of a spell..." <2024 Players Handbook>
Based on RAW, I would think this applies to any spell that has an attack roll (but perhaps not spell attacks with no roll, like Hold, Sleep?) but would include AoE spells or any damaging spell. If the enemy spell does damage, does the character get an Opportunity Attack?
And taking this one step further, if the character also has the War Caster feat, could they then use a spell instead of that Opportunity Attack (of course, forgoing the Halt capability of Sentinel since the character no longer hits with the Opportunity Attack)?
Does this sound correct?
Not correct. The Sentinel Guardian feature doesn't let you cast spell but make an Opportunity Attack against that creature, which one melee attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike.
You can't use the War Caster Reactive Spell feature to cast a spell when a creature within 5 feet of youhits a target other than you with an attack with Sentinel because it isn't provoking an Opportunity Attack from you by leaving your reach.
As I reread what I wrote, I see my phrasing wasn't clear and understand the confusion. My question isn't whether the Sentinel can make a spell or ranged attack for the opportunity attack. The question is whether ANY attack by the opponent, whether it is melee, ranged, or spell, allows the opportunity attack. The general thought is this is two melee combatants, but I don't believe it has to be. If the Sentinel is 5 feet from a caster, for example, and the caster makes an attack on another caster who is 60 feet away, but in the Sentinel's party, the Sentinel can then make an opportunity attack on that spellcaster. Thats what I am looking for clarification on.
Ok. I think I follow, and believe your interpretation is based on the qualifier, "by leaving your reach", so would not be applicable for the Sentinel response to an opponent's attacking of another. RAW, that makes sense. But, following the same logic, the War Caster, if he also had the Sentinel feat, WOULD be able to cast a spell, in lieu of an opportunity attack if the opponent tries to "disengage", as that is a movement leaving the War Caster's reach and prompts opportunity attack for the Sentinel. Sound correct?
The two feats would synergize in that scenario, if not in the attack scenario.
Ok. I think I follow, and believe your interpretation is based on the qualifier, "by leaving your reach", so would not be applicable for the Sentinel response to an opponent's attacking of another. RAW, that makes sense. But, following the same logic, the War Caster, if he also had the Sentinel feat, WOULD be able to cast a spell, in lieu of an opportunity attack if the opponent tries to "disengage", as that is a movement leaving the War Caster's reach and prompts opportunity attack for the Sentinel. Sound correct?
The two feats would synergize in that scenario, if not in the attack scenario.
I'd say no, because the triggers for those feats are different (rules simplified):
- Sentinel: you make an Opportunity Attack if the creature take the Disengage action or hits a target other than you - War Caster: you can take a Reaction to cast a spell when a creature provokes an Opportunity Attack from you by leaving your reach
War Caster won't trigger when the creature Disengages.
The Sentinel War Caster only Halt when hitting with an Opportunity Attack, not when casting a spell at the creature rather than making one.
Definitely agree on this point. Haltfeature of Sentinel only works with melee strike from Opportunity Attack. The War Caster feat is very clear that the Reactive Spell occurs instead of the Opportunity Attack.
As I noted above, I can also see where the attack provision of the Sentinel Guardianfeat might not proc the War Caster Reactive Spell opportunity based on the movement provision.
But, I still don't see any reason why the Sentinel feat wouldn't open up the potential frequency for War Caster Reactive Spell, as it allows for another scenario for Opportunity Attack, specifically, during a Disengage . Both qualifications of the Reactive Spell are met: Opportunity Attack and "leaving your reach".
For a frame of reference of what prompted the line of questioning: A War Caster/Sentinel "tank" put his opponent into a "frightened" or disadvantaged state. Unable to respond to the tank, the opponent simply cast a spell at someone else. Based on the Sentinel ability, the tank believed he could cast a Reactive Spell(because he earned an Opportunity Attack from Sentinel). Based on feedback here, I now think that is inaccurate. But if the opponent had determined that retreat was the best option and used their action to Disengage, I believe that he would have been allowed a Reactive Spell.
When a creature within 5 feet of the Sentinel take the Disengage action, it can make an Opportunity Attack against it.
At this point the creature hasn't left the Sentinel's reach and it's movement no longer provoke so Opportunity Attack so War Caster Reactive Spell can't be used either way.
[...] But, I still don't see any reason why the Sentinel feat wouldn't open up the potential frequency for War Caster Reactive Spell, as it allows for another scenario for Opportunity Attack, specifically, during a Disengage . Both qualifications of the Reactive Spell are met: Opportunity Attack and "leaving your reach". [...]
Let's say you don't have Sentinel, only War Caster: if you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks for the rest of the current turn, so Reactive Spell is not triggered.
Not, let's add Sentinel: if you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks for the rest of the current turn, so War Caster is not triggered, but Guardian is triggered and possibly Halt is applied. With Guardian, you're making an attack following the Opportunity Attack rules.
I'm trying to make sure I'm clear about this. If a character with the Sentinel feat is within 5 feet of enemy, and that enemy attacks ANYONE other than the character, the character is allowed an Opportunity Attack. It does not have to be a melee attack against someone nearby, it could be a spell or ranged attack as well. Here is what I base that on.
<From Sentinel Feat> Guardian. Immediately after a creature within 5 feet of you takes the Disengage action or hits a target other than you with an attack, you can make an Opportunity Attack against that creature. <2024 Players Handbook>
<From Combat> When you take the Attack action, you make an attack. Some other actions, Bonus Actions, and Reactions also let you make an attack. Whether you strike with a Melee weapon, fire a Ranged weapon, or make an attack roll as part of a spell..." <2024 Players Handbook>
Based on RAW, I would think this applies to any spell that has an attack roll (but perhaps not spell attacks with no roll, like Hold, Sleep?) but would include AoE spells or any damaging spell. If the enemy spell does damage, does the character get an Opportunity Attack?
And taking this one step further, if the character also has the War Caster feat, could they then use a spell instead of that Opportunity Attack (of course, forgoing the Halt capability of Sentinel since the character no longer hits with the Opportunity Attack)?
Does this sound correct?
It should be a melee attack, because the feat says "you can make an Opportunity Attack against that creature", and "to make the Opportunity Attack, take a Reaction to make one melee attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike against the provoking creature."
EDIT: to get what you want, you would need War Caster instead as you were suggesting:
If I'm understanding the question correctly you're asking if the character with sentinel that is within 5 ft of a creature can make an opportunity attack against that creature if it makes a spell attack or ranged attack against a target other than the character. The answer is yes but things that don't make attack rolls (like fireball, sacred flame, hold person, a breath weapon) don't provoke the guardian opportunity attack because it clearly says "or hits a target other than you with an attack" not "or damages a target other than you".
Your other question about when you can use war caster's reactive spell feature in combination with sentinel the answer is no. This is what reactive spell says.
"Reactive Spell. When a creature provokes an Opportunity Attack from you by leaving your reach, you can take a Reaction to cast a spell at the creature rather than making an Opportunity Attack. The spell must have a casting time of one action and must target only that creature."
Reactive spell can only be used when you can take an opportunity attack because a creature left your reach which does not include the opportunity attack gained by sentinel's guardian feature.
Not correct. The Sentinel Guardian feature doesn't let you cast spell but make an Opportunity Attack against that creature, which one melee attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike.
The Attack action has no relevance here.
You can't use the War Caster Reactive Spell feature to cast a spell when a creature within 5 feet of you hits a target other than you with an attack with Sentinel because it isn't provoking an Opportunity Attack from you by leaving your reach.
As I reread what I wrote, I see my phrasing wasn't clear and understand the confusion. My question isn't whether the Sentinel can make a spell or ranged attack for the opportunity attack. The question is whether ANY attack by the opponent, whether it is melee, ranged, or spell, allows the opportunity attack. The general thought is this is two melee combatants, but I don't believe it has to be. If the Sentinel is 5 feet from a caster, for example, and the caster makes an attack on another caster who is 60 feet away, but in the Sentinel's party, the Sentinel can then make an opportunity attack on that spellcaster. Thats what I am looking for clarification on.
Ok. I think I follow, and believe your interpretation is based on the qualifier, "by leaving your reach", so would not be applicable for the Sentinel response to an opponent's attacking of another. RAW, that makes sense. But, following the same logic, the War Caster, if he also had the Sentinel feat, WOULD be able to cast a spell, in lieu of an opportunity attack if the opponent tries to "disengage", as that is a movement leaving the War Caster's reach and prompts opportunity attack for the Sentinel. Sound correct?
The two feats would synergize in that scenario, if not in the attack scenario.
I'd say no, because the triggers for those feats are different (rules simplified):
- Sentinel: you make an Opportunity Attack if the creature take the Disengage action or hits a target other than you
- War Caster: you can take a Reaction to cast a spell when a creature provokes an Opportunity Attack from you by leaving your reach
War Caster won't trigger when the creature Disengages.
Tulbar Ok i see now what you meant, allow me another take;
A creature provoke an Opportunity Attack if it hits a target other than the Sentinel with any attacks, wether melee, ranged, with a weapon or spell.
If the spell or effect is a result from an area of effect or static damage, it will not provoke because it must hit and therefore make an attack roll.
The Sentinel War Caster only Halt when hitting with an Opportunity Attack, not when casting a spell at the creature rather than making one.
Definitely agree on this point. Halt feature of Sentinel only works with melee strike from Opportunity Attack. The War Caster feat is very clear that the Reactive Spell occurs instead of the Opportunity Attack.
As I noted above, I can also see where the attack provision of the Sentinel Guardian feat might not proc the War Caster Reactive Spell opportunity based on the movement provision.
But, I still don't see any reason why the Sentinel feat wouldn't open up the potential frequency for War Caster Reactive Spell, as it allows for another scenario for Opportunity Attack, specifically, during a Disengage . Both qualifications of the Reactive Spell are met: Opportunity Attack and "leaving your reach".
For a frame of reference of what prompted the line of questioning: A War Caster/Sentinel "tank" put his opponent into a "frightened" or disadvantaged state. Unable to respond to the tank, the opponent simply cast a spell at someone else. Based on the Sentinel ability, the tank believed he could cast a Reactive Spell (because he earned an Opportunity Attack from Sentinel). Based on feedback here, I now think that is inaccurate. But if the opponent had determined that retreat was the best option and used their action to Disengage, I believe that he would have been allowed a Reactive Spell.
When a creature within 5 feet of the Sentinel take the Disengage action, it can make an Opportunity Attack against it.
At this point the creature hasn't left the Sentinel's reach and it's movement no longer provoke so Opportunity Attack so War Caster Reactive Spell can't be used either way.
Let's say you don't have Sentinel, only War Caster: if you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks for the rest of the current turn, so Reactive Spell is not triggered.
Not, let's add Sentinel: if you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks for the rest of the current turn, so War Caster is not triggered, but Guardian is triggered and possibly Halt is applied. With Guardian, you're making an attack following the Opportunity Attack rules.