Playing around with it for the first time. Had a question.
It says its a spell but it does not seem to list verbal somatic or material components. So if I am correct I can cast it while holding something in one or both hands?
Playing around with it for the first time. Had a question.
It says its a spell but it does not seem to list verbal somatic or material components. So if I am correct I can cast it while holding something in one or both hands?
You don't cast it. It's an attack you make using the attack action.
The text of the ability has no rules specifying your hands are relevant to it in any way other than that it uses your Dexterity, which is meaningless - a Monk also uses Dexterity to kick or headbutt someone. So ask your DM, but there's no reason to assume you need any open hands to use it.
Playing around with it for the first time. Had a question.
It says its a spell but it does not seem to list verbal somatic or material components. So if I am correct I can cast it while holding something in one or both hands?
It is a "ranged spell attack", not a spell. The term "ranged spell attack" has specific meaning within the rules of D&D 5E.
I think you would need some way to get through the prerequisite of being able to cast at least one spell. But with that dealt with, it seems to me that it would work to extend range and overcome cover.
Your range would not be doubled as it is NOT casting a spell, BUT it would ignore half and 3/4 cover as it IS a ranged spell attack. You would have to either multiclass OR use a race with inherent spellcasting (Tiefling, High Elf, Dark Elf, etc.).
It also gets you a free attack-roll cantrip from (probably) the Cleric or Druid list, (of which there are none from Cleric) which is either Magic Stone (debatable as the attack is not part of the casting of the spell), Primal Savagery, Produce Flame, Shillelagh (debatable again; see Magic Stone), or Thorn Whip.
None of these are very good options. And since it has to have an attack roll, it will scale based on your chosen class base stat. SO unless you also have a decent Int/Cha on top of your Dex/Wis/Con, this might not do much for you on the cantrip side.
I agree that Magic Stone and Shillelagh likely aren't acceptable. But wouldn't Booming Blade or Green-Flame Blade be OK? The attack roll for those spells aren't something that can, possibly, if you like to, happen at some later point but rather something done directly as a part of casting the spell. As a bonus those would also let you use a "good" stat for the attack.
I was going only from the Druid list as I am assuming any Monk would want to use Wis as their spellcasting stat. Booming Blade and Green-Flame Bladeare on the Wizard list, meaning you would need to use Int, which is more than likely the dump stat for any Monk.
Well no, you wouldn't. BB and GFB are not spell attacks, they are weapon attacks made as part of a spell so they would use whatever stat the Monk normally uses for to-hit/damage with the weapon. So even if they dump INT then BB wouldn't suffer at all while GFB will lose a bit of damage v the secondary target. That's why I though it was interesting to discuss if they would be acceptable choices for the Spell Sniper feat.
I think you would need some way to get through the prerequisite of being able to cast at least one spell. ...
If you wait until 8th level to take Spell Sniper, you should meet the prerequisite because Sun Soul's Searing Arc Strike allows you to cast Burning Hands.
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Playing around with it for the first time. Had a question.
It says its a spell but it does not seem to list verbal somatic or material components. So if I am correct I can cast it while holding something in one or both hands?
You don't cast it. It's an attack you make using the attack action.
The text of the ability has no rules specifying your hands are relevant to it in any way other than that it uses your Dexterity, which is meaningless - a Monk also uses Dexterity to kick or headbutt someone. So ask your DM, but there's no reason to assume you need any open hands to use it.
Sounds good
It is a "ranged spell attack", not a spell. The term "ranged spell attack" has specific meaning within the rules of D&D 5E.
.... could Spell Sniper feat augment this attack?
I think you would need some way to get through the prerequisite of being able to cast at least one spell. But with that dealt with, it seems to me that it would work to extend range and overcome cover.
Agreed, this seems like a reasonable take.
I agree that Magic Stone and Shillelagh likely aren't acceptable. But wouldn't Booming Blade or Green-Flame Blade be OK? The attack roll for those spells aren't something that can, possibly, if you like to, happen at some later point but rather something done directly as a part of casting the spell. As a bonus those would also let you use a "good" stat for the attack.
Well no, you wouldn't. BB and GFB are not spell attacks, they are weapon attacks made as part of a spell so they would use whatever stat the Monk normally uses for to-hit/damage with the weapon. So even if they dump INT then BB wouldn't suffer at all while GFB will lose a bit of damage v the secondary target. That's why I though it was interesting to discuss if they would be acceptable choices for the Spell Sniper feat.
If you wait until 8th level to take Spell Sniper, you should meet the prerequisite because Sun Soul's Searing Arc Strike allows you to cast Burning Hands.
Four-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!