I know that a lto of people asked about this but it is still unclear to me. PHB states that you need to have a clear path to the point in space. MM says that you need to see the creature you affect. So is it like general rule and exception or general rule + one more prerequisite?
And btw. Can you cast fireballs through a keyhole? My player just asked me so i decided to add this question
It is certainly possible to cast spells through small openings. How small might be more up for debate.
Windows are trickier because they provide cover without blocking sight. If something has total cover (no straight lines to target without hitting something solid) you can't target it. So no casting through glass windows.
A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle.
It is certainly possible to cast spells through small openings. How small might be more up for debate.
Windows are trickier because they provide cover without blocking sight. If something has total cover (no straight lines to target without hitting something solid) you can't target it. So no casting through glass windows.
A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle.
I would argue that magic missile would, realistically, break the window. Perhaps give the window an AC of 5 and -4 to saves and see if it happens to be a remarkably sturdy window - if not, it breaks and the spell goes through. I would not consider a target concealed if it's behind a window!
I know that a lto of people asked about this but it is still unclear to me. PHB states that you need to have a clear path to the point in space. MM says that you need to see the creature you affect. So is it like general rule and exception or general rule + one more prerequisite?
Yes, general rule about clear path and specific add-on for some cases, both apply.
And btw. Can you cast fireballs through a keyhole? My player just asked me so i decided to add this question
It would depend on the keyhole, some provide cover and others do not. I would rule that you could not cast Magic Missile, because you cannot both have a clear path from your finger to the target and look at that target at the same time, but fireball only has the clear path requirement, so why not. But it's very much my interpretation.
Okay so if I understand this correctly — it is general + more prerequisites.
What if you are standing near this window and create darts on the other side? Will it work?
What if you target a creature and it is behind this window. Maybe dart hits window, breaks it and then all other darts hit the target normally
Okay so last question. Can you cast magic missle while in non magical darkness (you don't have dark vision). You need to choose a creature but what if you know that that creature is there? You need to see point in space and you do, you just don't have enough light to understand what you see. Is it okay to rule here as "you can't see = no MM can be cast"? And does it apply to Misty Step?
Okay so last question. Can you cast magic missle while in non magical darkness (you don't have dark vision). You need to choose a creature but what if you know that that creature is there? You need to see point in space and you do, you just don't have enough light to understand what you see. Is it okay to rule here as "you can't see = no MM can be cast"? And does it apply to Misty Step?
Those spells are very specific, you need to see the target, if you can't see them, those spells cannot be cast.
From the spell, "Each dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range."
I would not consider a target concealed if it's behind a window!
A target behind a window has full cover, but is not concealed. What generally prevents targeting with spells is full cover, not concealment. Some spells require you to see the target; concealment would prevent targeting in those cases, in addition to full cover. Full cover generally also confers concealment, since most materials are not transparent. Windows (or, in the general case, glass) confer full cover but no concealment, being transparent. This is also true for Wall of Force, for example. It confers full cover, but no concealment.
It is certainly possible to cast spells through small openings. How small might be more up for debate.
Windows are trickier because they provide cover without blocking sight. If something has total cover (no straight lines to target without hitting something solid) you can't target it. So no casting through glass windows.
A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle.
I would argue that magic missile would, realistically, break the window. Perhaps give the window an AC of 5 and -4 to saves and see if it happens to be a remarkably sturdy window - if not, it breaks and the spell goes through. I would not consider a target concealed if it's behind a window!
Magic missile can't target objects, so can't break the window.
The rules are pretty straight forward, you can't target a creature with total cover, which a window can provide, so you can't even start the attack to begin with. If you want to break the window first you can, that would require a different action though.
I know that a lto of people asked about this but it is still unclear to me. PHB states that you need to have a clear path to the point in space. MM says that you need to see the creature you affect. So is it like general rule and exception or general rule + one more prerequisite?
And btw. Can you cast fireballs through a keyhole? My player just asked me so i decided to add this question
It is certainly possible to cast spells through small openings. How small might be more up for debate.
Windows are trickier because they provide cover without blocking sight. If something has total cover (no straight lines to target without hitting something solid) you can't target it. So no casting through glass windows.
I would argue that magic missile would, realistically, break the window. Perhaps give the window an AC of 5 and -4 to saves and see if it happens to be a remarkably sturdy window - if not, it breaks and the spell goes through. I would not consider a target concealed if it's behind a window!
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Okay so if I understand this correctly — it is general + more prerequisites.
What if you are standing near this window and create darts on the other side? Will it work?
What if you target a creature and it is behind this window. Maybe dart hits window, breaks it and then all other darts hit the target normally
All the magic missiles hit simultaneously, so all would hit the window pane at the same time.
You can't create the magic missiles on the other side, since they originate from you.
Oh okay then. Thanks
Okay so last question. Can you cast magic missle while in non magical darkness (you don't have dark vision). You need to choose a creature but what if you know that that creature is there? You need to see point in space and you do, you just don't have enough light to understand what you see. Is it okay to rule here as "you can't see = no MM can be cast"? And does it apply to Misty Step?
Thanks. That is really helpful
Okay. Thank you guys a lot. You are super helpful ✨
From the spell, "Each dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range."
A target behind a window has full cover, but is not concealed. What generally prevents targeting with spells is full cover, not concealment. Some spells require you to see the target; concealment would prevent targeting in those cases, in addition to full cover. Full cover generally also confers concealment, since most materials are not transparent. Windows (or, in the general case, glass) confer full cover but no concealment, being transparent. This is also true for Wall of Force, for example. It confers full cover, but no concealment.
Magic missile can't target objects, so can't break the window.
The rules are pretty straight forward, you can't target a creature with total cover, which a window can provide, so you can't even start the attack to begin with. If you want to break the window first you can, that would require a different action though.
And cover and concealment are not the same.
While most GM's dont use them, there are rules for handling objects in the DMG, pages 246-247.
So while it isnt mandatory, it is indeed RAW.
The issue isn't a lack of rules regarding handling objects, it's that Magic Missile can't target objects, period.