RAW/RAI - Nystul’s Magic Aura Applications

Well, I think the real problem is that damage is by no means the only form of harm out there. "Let me cast flesh to stone on you" is not damage either.

I'm pretty sure Suggestion got reworded in 2024 because they heard complaints about "mother may I" mechanics and suggestion in 2014 was in fact incredibly unclear on what it permitted, and being hardnosed about "sounding reasonable" wound up making the actual examples in the text fail. Unfortunately, what they wound up with was grossly overtuned, and some more reasonable wordings would have eliminated standard use cases.

For example, you could change "The suggestion must sound achievable and not involve anything that would obviously deal damage to the target or its allies." to "The suggestion must sound achievable and not involve anything that would obviously be harmful to the target or its allies.", but “Fetch the key to the cult’s treasure vault, and give the key to me” probably doesn't actually qualify, and even “Stop fighting, leave this library peacefully, and don’t return” is questionable.

Quote from Tarod_ >>

...is that it could then potentially allow you to cast damaging spells that require a Saving Throw (e.g. Fireball or Lightning Bolt) as well.

 

 Sure, I totally get where you're coming from, and if the text said, "The suggestion must sound achievable and not involve anything that could possibly deal damage to the target or its allies," then I'd agree with you 100%.  But because instead of "could possibly" it says "would obviously," the implication is that the possibility of the spell leading to damage is perfectly acceptable, so long as that outcome isn't obvious.

Also, using it to get away with an unresisted fireball or lightning bolt is pretty lame anyway.  Like, yeah, you get to sneak one in with no saving throw, but the damage breaks the charm and ends the Suggestion spell.  It probably hurt, sure, but it's sort of a waste of the spell.