The wording here is a bit confusing. It's an AoE, but it only mentions "a target." Does it mean that you have to select a target from that AoE, and only it is affected? Or is the target anyone within the AoE? Having an AoE that only affects a single target seems a bit redundant, although I can see it being functional if you get to pick the target from those that did/did not save from the AoE. That made sense, right?
You choose a point within range and cause psychic energy to explode there. Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature with an Intelligence score of 2 or lower can’t be affected by this spell. A target takes 8d6 psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
After a failed save, a target has muddled thoughts for 1 minute. During that time, it rolls a d6 and subtracts the number rolled from all its attack rolls and ability checks, as well as its Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration. The target can make an Intelligence saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
The target is any creature that fails the saving throw. Using singular language is standard for a spell that can affect between none and some creatures.
Basically, think of it as each creature that fails the save is classes as a 'target', and the effects apply to all creatures classed as a target.
5E has a problem with using "target" to mean two different things interchangeably: the target of the spell (which can be a creature, object, or point within range), and the target of the spell's effect (which is one or more creatures, objects, active spell effects, squares, etc. effected). The target in the first sense of Synaptic Static is "a point within range." It then effects multiple "targets" within its area of effect.
The wording here is a bit confusing. It's an AoE, but it only mentions "a target." Does it mean that you have to select a target from that AoE, and only it is affected? Or is the target anyone within the AoE? Having an AoE that only affects a single target seems a bit redundant, although I can see it being functional if you get to pick the target from those that did/did not save from the AoE. That made sense, right?
The target is any creature that fails the saving throw. Using singular language is standard for a spell that can affect between none and some creatures.
Basically, think of it as each creature that fails the save is classes as a 'target', and the effects apply to all creatures classed as a target.
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It's the same wording as Fireball for example. Anyway, target in this case means looking at each creature in the AoE one-by-one.
5E has a problem with using "target" to mean two different things interchangeably: the target of the spell (which can be a creature, object, or point within range), and the target of the spell's effect (which is one or more creatures, objects, active spell effects, squares, etc. effected). The target in the first sense of Synaptic Static is "a point within range." It then effects multiple "targets" within its area of effect.
See also Ice Knife.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
Thanks, y'all! That helps a ton!