So I had a player ask whether he could use Command to break the Fear Ray of a Zombie Beholder. In the moment I said I didn't think so, but I have been thinking about it and now I figured I'd throw it out to you guys. If the Paladin in this case, cast Command on one of his Feared comrades with the command of Attack, would that break the fear?
Not sure that the spell Command makes the target willing to do that command.
I would say this: it seems a case of Combining magical effects, the most potent wins. The most potent effect is the one with the highest DC. Assuming that Command wins over the Fear Ray, keep in mind that Command lasts only for 1 round.
I think the whole point of Command is that it makes the target do something unwillingly, isn't it? Why would there be a save to command a creature to do something it was willing to do?
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Kerrigan, gold dragonborn pact of the chain fiend warlock (8)/favored soul sorcerer (3): Survived Strahd Roland Crowe, stout halfling pirate (7): off working other angles while the party fights giants Alekhine Dorvanellyn, eladrin bladesinger (7): Fighting giants
It's an interesting mix, but I don't think it would really work so well.
For quick reference:
Frightened
A frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight.
The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear.
So, the Paladin casts Command and says "Attack" and it works (I presume some kind of save is given to the PC target, because they are Frightened by hostile magic).
The PC will attempt to attack a nearby viable target. The PC cannot attempt to get close enough to the beholder to attack them, and any other viable target would be chosen first (personal ruling based on the layering spells and conditions). The Paladin can command, but cannot dictate the target. I'd just immediately turn to the frightened PC's player and say "Your character has been commanded to attack. You are dreadfully afraid of the Beholder and will not attempt to get any closer to it. Who's your viable target?"
From there, the dice fall.
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So I had a player ask whether he could use Command to break the Fear Ray of a Zombie Beholder. In the moment I said I didn't think so, but I have been thinking about it and now I figured I'd throw it out to you guys. If the Paladin in this case, cast Command on one of his Feared comrades with the command of Attack, would that break the fear?
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D&D Beyond FoundersThe Command spell will cause the target to follow that command, as long as they are able to.
IIRC the Fear Ray imparts the Frightened condition, so the command spell makes the target want to do something, but they are too afraid to do it.
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Not sure that the spell Command makes the target willing to do that command.
I would say this: it seems a case of Combining magical effects, the most potent wins. The most potent effect is the one with the highest DC. Assuming that Command wins over the Fear Ray, keep in mind that Command lasts only for 1 round.
I think the whole point of Command is that it makes the target do something unwillingly, isn't it? Why would there be a save to command a creature to do something it was willing to do?
Kerrigan, gold dragonborn pact of the chain fiend warlock (8)/favored soul sorcerer (3): Survived Strahd
Roland Crowe, stout halfling pirate (7): off working other angles while the party fights giants
Alekhine Dorvanellyn, eladrin bladesinger (7): Fighting giants
It's an interesting mix, but I don't think it would really work so well.
For quick reference:
Frightened
So, the Paladin casts Command and says "Attack" and it works (I presume some kind of save is given to the PC target, because they are Frightened by hostile magic).
The PC will attempt to attack a nearby viable target. The PC cannot attempt to get close enough to the beholder to attack them, and any other viable target would be chosen first (personal ruling based on the layering spells and conditions). The Paladin can command, but cannot dictate the target. I'd just immediately turn to the frightened PC's player and say "Your character has been commanded to attack. You are dreadfully afraid of the Beholder and will not attempt to get any closer to it. Who's your viable target?"
From there, the dice fall.