Greetings fellow adventurers, today I come seeking guidance on the RAW for the War Caster feat and the Booming Blade cantrip.
Now, the scenario I'm envisioning is that my Hexblade warlock (level 5) takes an attack of opportunity on an enemy leaving her melee range, but rather than blow one of her few spell slots on them, she uses the Booming Blade cantrip to empower her blade and take a melee strike that'll not only inflict an additional d8 of thunder damage to whatever weapon damage she inflicts on a successful hit, but deal an extra 2d8 since he's willingly moving before the start of her next turn.
So, is this a viable application of the War Caster feat/Booming Blade spell?
Cause it seems like 3d8 extra damage on an AOO at fifth level might seem a bit excessive, or am I misreading/miscalculating the rules/damage.
Thanks in advance for your input, and may the chests you find be forever bereft of tongues and teeth.
Greetings fellow adventurers, today I come seeking guidance on the RAW for the War Caster feat and the Booming Blade cantrip.
Now, the scenario I'm envisioning is that my Hexblade warlock (level 5) takes an attack of opportunity on an enemy leaving her melee range, but rather than blow one of her few spell slots on them, she uses the Booming Blade cantrip to empower her blade and take a melee strike that'll not only inflict an additional d8 of thunder damage to whatever weapon damage she inflicts on a successful hit, but deal an extra 2d8 since he's willingly moving before the start of her next turn.
So, is this a viable application of the War Caster feat/Booming Blade spell?
Cause it seems like 3d8 extra damage on an AOO at fifth level might seem a bit excessive, or am I misreading/miscalculating the rules/damage.
Thanks in advance for your input, and may the chests you find be forever bereft of tongues and teeth.
You can use booming blade and war caster, you are right. Tho it can stop moving and it only takes 2d8.
Yes. Booming blade is being changed and there are some voices saying that its range is now self (5 ft.). That means new version can't be used with war caster (because it has 2 targets)
At fifth level, Booming Blade does 1d8 on the initial, strike then ups the movement damage to 2d8, since, at lower levels, it only does the extra 1d8 when it moves. So, best case scenario for my warlock, it deals 1d8 + weapon damage, then another 2d8 as it keeps moving. But, you're right that it can choose to stop moving once it's been hit, assuming it knows what's happened to it.
At Higher Levels. At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 thunder damage to the target, and the damage the target takes for moving increases to 2d8
I guess the confusion's gonna come with the whole, "As part of the action used to cast this spell, you must make a melee attack with a weapon against one creature within the spell's range," bit of the spell, since it would still technically count as a spell attack. Unless they completely reword it in Tasha's to remove that anonymity.
So I read somewhere, not sure where, but if I remember correctly now booming blade and green flame blade are self(5ft.) but that only means that the origin of the spell is on you but the target is within 5ft. of you so you can still cast it with war caster feat as an opportunity attack. I think that they changed range 5ft. to self(5ft.) so it can't be combined with spell sniper feat or other means to extend its range
So I read somewhere, not sure where, but if I remember correctly now booming blade and green flame blade are self(5ft.) but that only means that the origin of the spell is on you but the target is within 5ft. of you so you can still cast it with war caster feat as an opportunity attack. I think that they changed range 5ft. to self(5ft.) so it can't be combined with spell sniper feat or other means to extend its range
Oh my gods, they nerfed them to not work with war caster anymore! Range of self makes it so the enemy is not the only target of the spell, thus preventing war caster from using it.
So I read somewhere, not sure where, but if I remember correctly now booming blade and green flame blade are self(5ft.) but that only means that the origin of the spell is on you but the target is within 5ft. of you so you can still cast it with war caster feat as an opportunity attack. I think that they changed range 5ft. to self(5ft.) so it can't be combined with spell sniper feat or other means to extend its range
Oh my gods, they nerfed them to not work with war caster anymore! Range of self makes it so the enemy is not the only target of the spell, thus preventing war caster from using it.
I'd have to agree with that. War caster says: "The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature."
While booming blade says: "Range: Self (5-foot radius)"
You make a melee attack against a creature within 5' as part of the casting of the spell "You brandish the weapon used in the spell's casting and make a melee attack with it against one creature within 5 feet of you." but since the target of the SPELL (not the melee attack) is clearly Self ... you can't use it with warcaster since that specifies spells that only target the creature triggering the opportunity attack. So RAW, booming blade from Tasha's does not work with War Caster.
---
In terms of interaction with the Spell Sniper feat, the range of Self (5-foot radius) could arguably be Self (10-foot radius) ... obviously self doesn't change but since the 5 foot radius is part of the range then it should work. Spell Sniper: "When you cast a spell that requires you to make an attack roll, the spell's range is doubled."
Booming Blade works fine with War Caster. a range of "self: x" means that you're the spell's point of origin, not its target. The Tasha's changes only stopped it from working with Spell Sniper.
Yes. Booming blade is being changed and there are some voices saying that its range is now self (5 ft.). That means new version can't be used with war caster (because it has 2 targets)
What is "self (5 ft)" supposed to mean? From reading the spell, ignoring the 'range', it is clear the spell has one target, the caster. Yes there is an effect that only works on someone within 5ft, but that is like saying the spell "Light" affects multple creatures because the light extends 20ft from the touched object.
Yes. Booming blade is being changed and there are some voices saying that its range is now self (5 ft.). That means new version can't be used with war caster (because it has 2 targets)
What is "self (5 ft)" supposed to mean? From reading the spell, ignoring the 'range', it is clear the spell has one target, the caster. Yes there is an effect that only works on someone within 5ft, but that is like saying the spell "Light" affects multple creatures because the light extends 20ft from the touched object.
Stupid misintrepration.
Seems a reasonable interpretation, but unfortunately, it is expressly opposite to the one that the designers expressed as their intention.
So I read somewhere, not sure where, but if I remember correctly now booming blade and green flame blade are self(5ft.) but that only means that the origin of the spell is on you but the target is within 5ft. of you so you can still cast it with war caster feat as an opportunity attack. I think that they changed range 5ft. to self(5ft.) so it can't be combined with spell sniper feat or other means to extend its range
Oh my gods, they nerfed them to not work with war caster anymore! Range of self makes it so the enemy is not the only target of the spell, thus preventing war caster from using it.
No, they nerfed it to not work with Twinned Spell. It having a range of self doesn't make it target you, so it is still a viable combo.
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Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Yes. Booming blade is being changed and there are some voices saying that its range is now self (5 ft.). That means new version can't be used with war caster (because it has 2 targets)
What is "self (5 ft)" supposed to mean? From reading the spell, ignoring the 'range', it is clear the spell has one target, the caster. Yes there is an effect that only works on someone within 5ft, but that is like saying the spell "Light" affects multple creatures because the light extends 20ft from the touched object.
Stupid misintrepration.
Range does not equal target. You only target the creature you are hitting. War Caster still allows you to use Booming Blade. stop it.
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Booming Blade and Green-flame Blade work with War Caster but Green-flame Blade can be used with War Caster to make an Attack of Opportunity only if you do not hit a second target with its “jump”’effect. This is why it says it CAN and doesn’t say MUST. Neither spell can be used with Twinned Spell or any effect that increases the range of a spell such as Spell Sniper or Distant Spell because the range is Self with a radius. For either of those effects to be applicable, you would need a range other than Self or Touch because they move the point of effect but do not increase the area of effect. For example, you could apply Spell Sniper or Distant Spell to the range of where a Fireball goes off but not increase its area of effect to 120 feet.
This also means that Reach effects do not apply to Booming Blade or Green-flame Blade, such as with some polearms or a bugbear’s increased reach of 10 feet.
As for being a “nerf,” per Jeremy Crawford, this was always the intended effect but the poor wording in SCAG was not corrected as quickly as it should have been.
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Greetings fellow adventurers, today I come seeking guidance on the RAW for the War Caster feat and the Booming Blade cantrip.
Now, the scenario I'm envisioning is that my Hexblade warlock (level 5) takes an attack of opportunity on an enemy leaving her melee range, but rather than blow one of her few spell slots on them, she uses the Booming Blade cantrip to empower her blade and take a melee strike that'll not only inflict an additional d8 of thunder damage to whatever weapon damage she inflicts on a successful hit, but deal an extra 2d8 since he's willingly moving before the start of her next turn.
So, is this a viable application of the War Caster feat/Booming Blade spell?
Cause it seems like 3d8 extra damage on an AOO at fifth level might seem a bit excessive, or am I misreading/miscalculating the rules/damage.
Thanks in advance for your input, and may the chests you find be forever bereft of tongues and teeth.
You can use booming blade and war caster, you are right. Tho it can stop moving and it only takes 2d8.
https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/663512273504219136?s=20
Please note this spell is likely being changed in the release of Tasha’s Cauldron...this may change how these mechanics interact
Yes. Booming blade is being changed and there are some voices saying that its range is now self (5 ft.). That means new version can't be used with war caster (because it has 2 targets)
At fifth level, Booming Blade does 1d8 on the initial, strike then ups the movement damage to 2d8, since, at lower levels, it only does the extra 1d8 when it moves. So, best case scenario for my warlock, it deals 1d8 + weapon damage, then another 2d8 as it keeps moving. But, you're right that it can choose to stop moving once it's been hit, assuming it knows what's happened to it.
At Higher Levels. At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 thunder damage to the target, and the damage the target takes for moving increases to 2d8
I guess the confusion's gonna come with the whole, "As part of the action used to cast this spell, you must make a melee attack with a weapon against one creature within the spell's range," bit of the spell, since it would still technically count as a spell attack. Unless they completely reword it in Tasha's to remove that anonymity.
Thanks for the potential update!
I asked the same question a few years ago if you want to give it a read:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/rules-game-mechanics/29566-opportunity-attacks-and-booming-blade-question
So I read somewhere, not sure where, but if I remember correctly now booming blade and green flame blade are self(5ft.) but that only means that the origin of the spell is on you but the target is within 5ft. of you so you can still cast it with war caster feat as an opportunity attack. I think that they changed range 5ft. to self(5ft.) so it can't be combined with spell sniper feat or other means to extend its range
Oh my gods, they nerfed them to not work with war caster anymore! Range of self makes it so the enemy is not the only target of the spell, thus preventing war caster from using it.
I'd have to agree with that. War caster says: "The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature."
While booming blade says: "Range: Self (5-foot radius)"
You make a melee attack against a creature within 5' as part of the casting of the spell "You brandish the weapon used in the spell's casting and make a melee attack with it against one
creature within 5 feet of you." but since the target of the SPELL (not the melee attack) is clearly Self ... you can't use it with warcaster since that specifies spells that only target the creature triggering the opportunity attack. So RAW, booming blade from Tasha's does not work with War Caster.
---
In terms of interaction with the Spell Sniper feat, the range of Self (5-foot radius) could arguably be Self (10-foot radius) ... obviously self doesn't change but since the 5 foot radius is part of the range then it should work. Spell Sniper: "When you cast a spell that requires you to make an
attack roll, the spell's range is doubled."
Booming Blade works fine with War Caster. a range of "self: x" means that you're the spell's point of origin, not its target. The Tasha's changes only stopped it from working with Spell Sniper.
What is "self (5 ft)" supposed to mean? From reading the spell, ignoring the 'range', it is clear the spell has one target, the caster. Yes there is an effect that only works on someone within 5ft, but that is like saying the spell "Light" affects multple creatures because the light extends 20ft from the touched object.
Stupid misintrepration.
Seems a reasonable interpretation, but unfortunately, it is expressly opposite to the one that the designers expressed as their intention.
No, they nerfed it to not work with Twinned Spell. It having a range of self doesn't make it target you, so it is still a viable combo.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Range does not equal target. You only target the creature you are hitting. War Caster still allows you to use Booming Blade. stop it.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Even Jeremy Crawford agrees.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Booming Blade and Green-flame Blade work with War Caster but Green-flame Blade can be used with War Caster to make an Attack of Opportunity only if you do not hit a second target with its “jump”’effect. This is why it says it CAN and doesn’t say MUST. Neither spell can be used with Twinned Spell or any effect that increases the range of a spell such as Spell Sniper or Distant Spell because the range is Self with a radius. For either of those effects to be applicable, you would need a range other than Self or Touch because they move the point of effect but do not increase the area of effect. For example, you could apply Spell Sniper or Distant Spell to the range of where a Fireball goes off but not increase its area of effect to 120 feet.
This also means that Reach effects do not apply to Booming Blade or Green-flame Blade, such as with some polearms or a bugbear’s increased reach of 10 feet.
As for being a “nerf,” per Jeremy Crawford, this was always the intended effect but the poor wording in SCAG was not corrected as quickly as it should have been.