As you cast the spell, you draw a 10-foot-diameter circle on the ground inscribed with sigils that link your location to a permanent teleportation circle of your choice whose sigil sequence you know and that is on the same plane of existence as you. A shimmering portal opens within the circle you drew and remains open until the end of your next turn. Any creature that enters the portal instantly appears within 5 feet of the destination circle or in the nearest unoccupied space if that space is occupied.
So basically it says that a portal is created on the spot, and anyone who enters is teleported to the destination circle. That's all. In contrast, the Teleport spell, which could be considered an upgrade of Teleportation Circle says this:
This spell instantly transports you and up to eight willing creatures of your choice that you can see within range, or a single object that you can see within range, to a destination you select.
So Teleport specifices that you, the caster, get teleported along with up to 8 others. Teleportation Circle only says that anyone who walks into it is teleported. So my question is, does the caster have to get teleported by the circle? Do they perhaps have to be within it just to cast it, meaning they automatically enter the portal as soon as it appears? Or can you just cast the spell for someone and stay where you are, allowing you to be a sort of a circle operator that creates portals for people but doesn't teleport himself?
Based on the text, Teleportation Circle opens a portal and the caster does not have to enter that portal.
The Teleportation spell is not a strict upgrade to Teleportation circle. The circle goes to a fixed known address (a specific location defined by the sequence of sigils) and it does so without error. The teleport spell on the other hand can be much more risky since there can be errors depending on how familiar the character is with the destination. Teleport is also designed to specifically transport the caster while teleportation circle just opens a portal. There is no limit on the number of creatures that can use the portal, there is only a limit on how long it lasts.
As the spells are written then I would agree that Teleportation Circle does not require the caster to go through the teleport. Though it does require the caster to know the sigils for a permanent circle, which can be closely guarded secrets for a lot of reasons. Teleportation Circle also requires some spell components that the casting consumes and takes a minute, while Teleport is an action and instant and only has a verbal component. So the higher spell slot does get you several advantages!
I've always wanted to use Teleportation Circle as a trap, casting it just before a bunch of criminals came through a door and sending them straight to jail!
That's a great jail trap. The fun part would be convincing the criminals that they want to enter the teleportation circle. Lots of good opportunity for charm / persuasion/ deception in that encounter.
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"Not all those who wander are lost"
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The description of the spell says:
As you cast the spell, you draw a 10-foot-diameter circle on the ground inscribed with sigils that link your location to a permanent teleportation circle of your choice whose sigil sequence you know and that is on the same plane of existence as you. A shimmering portal opens within the circle you drew and remains open until the end of your next turn. Any creature that enters the portal instantly appears within 5 feet of the destination circle or in the nearest unoccupied space if that space is occupied.
So basically it says that a portal is created on the spot, and anyone who enters is teleported to the destination circle. That's all. In contrast, the Teleport spell, which could be considered an upgrade of Teleportation Circle says this:
This spell instantly transports you and up to eight willing creatures of your choice that you can see within range, or a single object that you can see within range, to a destination you select.
So Teleport specifices that you, the caster, get teleported along with up to 8 others. Teleportation Circle only says that anyone who walks into it is teleported. So my question is, does the caster have to get teleported by the circle? Do they perhaps have to be within it just to cast it, meaning they automatically enter the portal as soon as it appears? Or can you just cast the spell for someone and stay where you are, allowing you to be a sort of a circle operator that creates portals for people but doesn't teleport himself?
Based on the text, Teleportation Circle opens a portal and the caster does not have to enter that portal.
The Teleportation spell is not a strict upgrade to Teleportation circle. The circle goes to a fixed known address (a specific location defined by the sequence of sigils) and it does so without error. The teleport spell on the other hand can be much more risky since there can be errors depending on how familiar the character is with the destination. Teleport is also designed to specifically transport the caster while teleportation circle just opens a portal. There is no limit on the number of creatures that can use the portal, there is only a limit on how long it lasts.
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InsiderAs the spells are written then I would agree that Teleportation Circle does not require the caster to go through the teleport. Though it does require the caster to know the sigils for a permanent circle, which can be closely guarded secrets for a lot of reasons. Teleportation Circle also requires some spell components that the casting consumes and takes a minute, while Teleport is an action and instant and only has a verbal component. So the higher spell slot does get you several advantages!
I've always wanted to use Teleportation Circle as a trap, casting it just before a bunch of criminals came through a door and sending them straight to jail!
Find me on Twitter: @OboeLauren
That's a great jail trap. The fun part would be convincing the criminals that they want to enter the teleportation circle. Lots of good opportunity for charm / persuasion/ deception in that encounter.
"Not all those who wander are lost"