The example it gives of fireball is precisely the “other way around” example you’re saying doesn’t exist. We have a spell, which itself talks about its point of origin point in space, and it’s affected creature targets. Chapter 10 uses that spell as an example that spells “like” Fireball target their points of origin, treat their points of origin as “the target,” however you want to say it.
If that isn’t to illustrate a general rule that points of origin for AOEs are targets, again, please explain what that sentence was for.
That sentence in the Range section is there to help you understand the concept of range. What is the range of Fireball? 150ft. And what must be within 150ft, is it the creatures I want to hit? No, "the point in space where the ball of fire erupts" must be within 150ft. The creatures could be beyond that distance and still be hit by the spell.
The usage of "target" throughout the Range section is attempting to assist in the "targeting process" which involves choosing things within the range. The section about Range is not a great area to search for definitions of what is or isn't a target. The concept of "targets of spells" is better laid out in the section labeled "Targets".
Ascribing a motivation to a sentence that tells you “this is what the target of an AOE spell is!” that results in “aw jeez I guess we!re never told what the target of an AOE spell is” is what I mean by failing to take yes for an answer. RAI, who knows what anything means, intentions are ephemeral. RAW, Chapter 10 says that a point of origin is a target, and never says that it isn’t, so it is. Period.
Ascribing a motivation to a sentence that tells you “this is what the target of an AOE spell is!” that results in “aw jeez I guess we!re never told what the target of an AOE spell is” is what I mean by failing to take yes for an answer. RAI, who knows what anything means, intentions are ephemeral. RAW, Chapter 10 says that a point of origin is a target, and never says that it isn’t, so it is. Period.
But we do know what the targets of AOE spells are. Check the section called "Targets". It's written there. Then for further clarification, read the spell description of the spell in question.
The Range section is explaining how range works, and what must be in range. It says "for a spell like magic missile, the target is a creature". Spells like magic missile are spells with a description that begins with something like: "...hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range..."
Then the section says "for a spell like Fireball, the target is a point in space". Spells like Fireball are spells with a description that begins with something like: "...to a point you choose within range..."
Those are quotes from the spell descriptions. The Range section is explaining how that thing you have to choose (as found mentioned in the spell description) must be within the range. It is not assigning definitions to either "target" or "point of origin". And it is definitely not saying "for any spell which has a point of origin for a spell effect, that point of origin must be considered a target of the spell". It just isn't saying that. Not RAW. Not at all.
Now, is BB a spell like magic missile, or like Fireball? How does its description start: "...make a melee attack... against one creature within 5 feet of you...". That is not much like Fireball at all. No talk of points, so no need to think about points of origin being targets.
One can debate if being made to make a weapon attack as part of BB makes you a target, but considering you are choosing to make that attack as part of the casting of the spell (just like you are choosing to wave your hands and shoot the magic missiles), I don't consider that to be sufficient to be "affected by the spell".
Why are these spells different than similar ranger or paladin spells? What is wrong with, say, how wrathful smite works that makes it too good for booming blade other than concentration?
That sentence in the Range section is there to help you understand the concept of range. What is the range of Fireball? 150ft. And what must be within 150ft, is it the creatures I want to hit? No, "the point in space where the ball of fire erupts" must be within 150ft. The creatures could be beyond that distance and still be hit by the spell.
The usage of "target" throughout the Range section is attempting to assist in the "targeting process" which involves choosing things within the range. The section about Range is not a great area to search for definitions of what is or isn't a target. The concept of "targets of spells" is better laid out in the section labeled "Targets".
Ascribing a motivation to a sentence that tells you “this is what the target of an AOE spell is!” that results in “aw jeez I guess we!re never told what the target of an AOE spell is” is what I mean by failing to take yes for an answer. RAI, who knows what anything means, intentions are ephemeral. RAW, Chapter 10 says that a point of origin is a target, and never says that it isn’t, so it is. Period.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
But we do know what the targets of AOE spells are. Check the section called "Targets". It's written there. Then for further clarification, read the spell description of the spell in question.
The Range section is explaining how range works, and what must be in range. It says "for a spell like magic missile, the target is a creature". Spells like magic missile are spells with a description that begins with something like: "...hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range..."
Then the section says "for a spell like Fireball, the target is a point in space". Spells like Fireball are spells with a description that begins with something like: "...to a point you choose within range..."
Those are quotes from the spell descriptions. The Range section is explaining how that thing you have to choose (as found mentioned in the spell description) must be within the range. It is not assigning definitions to either "target" or "point of origin". And it is definitely not saying "for any spell which has a point of origin for a spell effect, that point of origin must be considered a target of the spell". It just isn't saying that. Not RAW. Not at all.
Now, is BB a spell like magic missile, or like Fireball? How does its description start: "...make a melee attack... against one creature within 5 feet of you...". That is not much like Fireball at all. No talk of points, so no need to think about points of origin being targets.
One can debate if being made to make a weapon attack as part of BB makes you a target, but considering you are choosing to make that attack as part of the casting of the spell (just like you are choosing to wave your hands and shoot the magic missiles), I don't consider that to be sufficient to be "affected by the spell".
Why are these spells different than similar ranger or paladin spells? What is wrong with, say, how wrathful smite works that makes it too good for booming blade other than concentration?
So Ritual Casting should have two different names? Because it works similarly, but differently for different classes.