Ghosts, Wraiths, Specters, etc and Physical Objects

Hello, I have been searching for some kind of definitive take on this, but I'm not finding clarity in discussion. Can "spectral" or "incorporeal" creatures pick up/manipulate objects or use physical weapons? For example, could a group of specters haunting an old fort still equipped with siege weapons use them to attack approaching creatures? Without any explicit statements in the rules texts, I'm guessing it's the DM's call ... "Incorporeal" is only used to describe that movement trait rather than dictate anything else about how the creature operates. Thanks! T

They absolutely can. The trait says that they "can move through other creatures and objects". It's is their choice to move through things.

As an example of this exact thing, the Poltergeist has an attack right in their stat block called "Object Slam" that deals bludgeoning damage.

Personally, I would say no from a flavor standpoint, even though the rules don't prohibit it. The idea of these creatures is that they are not corporal, and them picking up objects kind of shatters that idea.

Quote from Maruntoryx >>

Personally, I would say no from a flavor standpoint, even though the rules don't prohibit it. The idea of these creatures is that they are not corporal, and them picking up objects kind of shatters that idea.

And yet you can hit them with pieces of wood/metal enough times and kill/disperse/destroy/whatever them.

Generally the rules describe how something deviates from what you can expect. So if a create deviates from the expected need to breath, a stat block will cover that. If it has the additional ability of flight that deviates from the expectation of not being able to fly, it states that.

If a creature was unable to interact with the physical world, something you'd expect it to normally be able to do, the creature would have a feature stating as such.

Note, this is not a "the rules don't say I can't" explanation

I don't see why not since one of their schtick is often to manipulate or knock objects to frighten others... 😋

Indeed, in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, there are a couple of Specters.

Careful! The following text is related to that adventure:

Also creatures such as the Will-o-wisps have the Ephemeral tag which states that they cannot carry or move objects. So there’s a tag in the game for those types of creatures. Also it says that the Specter has Incorporeal Movement in which they CAN (not DO) pass through solid objects and if they end their turn there they take damage. If they were completely unable to interact with objects then it wouldn’t matter if they stop inside one. Furthermore they would be immune to physical damage not just resistance.

Seems pretty clear to me (especially when a published module has them doing so, as the person above points out) that they can in fact take the Interact With Object action (lifting/carrying up to 15 lbs based on their Str 1 score) unless using Incorporeal Movement, at which point they would drop it. So they can’t go through a wall, get something, and bring it back through the wall with them.

I ran that adventure but it was a while ago, so thanks for the reminder!