The Red, Yellow and Blue layers are destroyed by dealing damage to them, in every case, it states "at least" a certain amount of a certain type. However, it doesn't say if this damage is tracked like HP, or if one has to deal that damage within one instance of damage. In case of the latter, the only spells that could destroy the red layer are Sorcerous Burst (with at least +3 on spellcasting modifier, when very lucky, while being character level 17 or higher should work somewhat reliably) or an upcast Chromatic Orb, since other spells can't deal enough Cold damage to objects (in case of the former, by taking several turns, a Chromatic Orb at level 1 (maybe using the Wizard's level 18 feature) would also work, or alternatively, an Elemental Weapon). I feel like RAW isn't clear on this and as for RAI, I couldn't find anything on the matter on https://sageadvice.eu
I agree over several rounds. Also, I don’t know if it has to only be spells that target objects. In the old way, for example, it was specifically cone of cold, not just cold damage to take down that first layer, iirc. I know I’d allow it that to work, as an example.
Well, the problem is, Cone of Cold is a saving throw spell, and objects can't make saving throws (but they do usually have an AC, at least a Prismatic Wall does). So would you say it just hits automatically (while a Chromatic Orb might miss if unlucky)? In the 2014 rules, I would've agreed that spells which say they target creatures specifically might also be able to target objects in some cases, since so few spells could target both objects and creatures, but in the 2024 rules, there's more spells which can also target objects (e.g. the capability got added to Eldritch Blast and Chromatic Orb (with the latter having some interesting twist in the wording, where it can't hit a creature several times, but could theoretically hit an object several times, not sure if that part is intended or not))
Well, that would be my intuitive idea, too (although, depends on the saving throw; an object might still make a Constitution save? Or even a Strength save, if strongly attached to something or just really heavy? Dexterity save and any of the mental saves don't really make sense, although mental save also generally implies it shouldn't affect objects at all; you can't charm a door), but then, RAW (and with the 2024 updates, I'm pretty sure that's RAI too), every spell I know that requires a saving throw only does so for creatures, and either doesn't affect objects at all, or has a different effect on objects (e.g. Fireball, Burning Hands, Frost Fingers, or Disintegrate), instead of its normal (damage) effect.
EDIT: Ah, the rules explicitly state that they fail all saving throws. Rest of my point still stands though; I do feel these spells not damaging objects is not just RAW, but also RAI.
As for the original question, the Rules Glossary has this rule:
Damage Threshold
A creature or an object that has a damage threshold has Immunity to all damage unless it takes an amount of damage from a single attack or effect equal to or greater than its damage threshold, in which case it takes that entire instance of damage. Any damage that fails to meet or exceed the damage threshold is superficial and doesn’t reduce Hit Points. For example, if an object has a damage threshold of 10, the object takes no damage if 9 damage is dealt to it, since that damage fails to exceed the threshold. If the same object is dealt 11 damage, it takes all of that damage.
Since this spell in question doesn't say anything about the object having a "damage threshold", you just track the damage to it as you normally would -- cumulatively.
Ah, yeah, I found that thread a while back but then didn't really read the comments on it (and then did some research on spells with the 2024 update where I noticed that more of them would affect objects now). I think they make a good point there regarding that, while RAW doesn't say anything on effects on creatures, this probably isn't RAI and sensible DMs should adjudicate it as makes sense. Especially when none of the saving throw spells can, RAW, damage objects (except if they're flammable, and then only 1d4 per turn), even though another rule states that objects always fail saving throws – the latter seems to be a bit pointless given the former and that few effects other than spells need saving throws (and even less of them make sense on objects in the first place). So, I'd guess we can extrapolate from that that RAI is area effect spells like Acid Splash, Fireball or Cone of Cold probably do hit objects (although n-target spells, be it Ray of Frost, Magic Missile, or Steel Wind Strike, can probably not target objects unless they say they do? But that still leaves enough spells that can, so I'm fine with that outcome).
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The Red, Yellow and Blue layers are destroyed by dealing damage to them, in every case, it states "at least" a certain amount of a certain type. However, it doesn't say if this damage is tracked like HP, or if one has to deal that damage within one instance of damage. In case of the latter, the only spells that could destroy the red layer are Sorcerous Burst (with at least +3 on spellcasting modifier, when very lucky, while being character level 17 or higher should work somewhat reliably) or an upcast Chromatic Orb, since other spells can't deal enough Cold damage to objects (in case of the former, by taking several turns, a Chromatic Orb at level 1 (maybe using the Wizard's level 18 feature) would also work, or alternatively, an Elemental Weapon). I feel like RAW isn't clear on this and as for RAI, I couldn't find anything on the matter on https://sageadvice.eu
I understand it to mean the damage is cumulative, so if you reach that amount over several rounds, the layer is destroyed.
I agree over several rounds.
Also, I don’t know if it has to only be spells that target objects. In the old way, for example, it was specifically cone of cold, not just cold damage to take down that first layer, iirc. I know I’d allow it that to work, as an example.
Well, the problem is, Cone of Cold is a saving throw spell, and objects can't make saving throws (but they do usually have an AC, at least a Prismatic Wall does). So would you say it just hits automatically (while a Chromatic Orb might miss if unlucky)? In the 2014 rules, I would've agreed that spells which say they target creatures specifically might also be able to target objects in some cases, since so few spells could target both objects and creatures, but in the 2024 rules, there's more spells which can also target objects (e.g. the capability got added to Eldritch Blast and Chromatic Orb (with the latter having some interesting twist in the wording, where it can't hit a creature several times, but could theoretically hit an object several times, not sure if that part is intended or not))
Objects automatically fail saving throws.
Well, that would be my intuitive idea, too (although, depends on the saving throw; an object might still make a Constitution save? Or even a Strength save, if strongly attached to something or just really heavy? Dexterity save and any of the mental saves don't really make sense, although mental save also generally implies it shouldn't affect objects at all; you can't charm a door), but then, RAW (and with the 2024 updates, I'm pretty sure that's RAI too), every spell I know that requires a saving throw only does so for creatures, and either doesn't affect objects at all, or has a different effect on objects (e.g. Fireball, Burning Hands, Frost Fingers, or Disintegrate), instead of its normal (damage) effect.
EDIT: Ah, the rules explicitly state that they fail all saving throws. Rest of my point still stands though; I do feel these spells not damaging objects is not just RAW, but also RAI.
As for the original question, the Rules Glossary has this rule:
Since this spell in question doesn't say anything about the object having a "damage threshold", you just track the damage to it as you normally would -- cumulatively.
@artemislena I found this Reddit post Prismatic Wall is nearly impossible to Break by RAW : r/dndnext. It's about the 2014 version of the spell, but even so you could find some useful information for your questions.
Ah, yeah, I found that thread a while back but then didn't really read the comments on it (and then did some research on spells with the 2024 update where I noticed that more of them would affect objects now). I think they make a good point there regarding that, while RAW doesn't say anything on effects on creatures, this probably isn't RAI and sensible DMs should adjudicate it as makes sense. Especially when none of the saving throw spells can, RAW, damage objects (except if they're flammable, and then only 1d4 per turn), even though another rule states that objects always fail saving throws – the latter seems to be a bit pointless given the former and that few effects other than spells need saving throws (and even less of them make sense on objects in the first place). So, I'd guess we can extrapolate from that that RAI is area effect spells like Acid Splash, Fireball or Cone of Cold probably do hit objects (although n-target spells, be it Ray of Frost, Magic Missile, or Steel Wind Strike, can probably not target objects unless they say they do? But that still leaves enough spells that can, so I'm fine with that outcome).