I've been searching for an answer to this question for a while without anything conclusive so I thought I would ask here.
The ability states that "When you cast a spell that deals radiant or fire damage, you can add your Charisma modifier to one radiant or fire damage roll of that spell against one of its targets."
QUESTION: How much stock does D&d put in those words, "when you cast a spell." Does this mean literally, "the Action spent to do the spell's casting" or can this include the lasting damage effects of Concentration spells like Flaming Sphere or Sickening Radiance?
Discussion:
Flaming sphere gets cast with an action, but THEN takes a bonus action to ram into something and deal damage, so it seems the Action of casting is over before the damage is even dealt. Sickening Radiance deals its damage at the start of a creatures turn, so it would be excluded from this damage bonus due to timing?
It seems odd to me that when you gain this ability at level 6, the only spells it applies to are Fire Bolt, Sacred Flame, Guiding Bolt, and Hellish Rebuke. Is that just it? Are we all shrugging together about why we don't have something like Scorching Ray added to the list, or why this ability doesn't read "When you deal damage with a spell"? It seems it's use is highly limited!
What other spells would you look at to clarify your thoughts on this?
Has this been discussed at length in the past?
PS. I used to play magic the gathering so I'll admit, sometimes I get too narrowed in on words that define timing but this does seem specific on purpose.
It does exactly what it says it does, no more, no less. As I read it, the bonus to damage happens /only/ for the initial hit of damage on the turn you cast it. Your MTG timing experience will serve you well.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
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Radiant Soul
I've been searching for an answer to this question for a while without anything conclusive so I thought I would ask here.
The ability states that "When you cast a spell that deals radiant or fire damage, you can add your Charisma modifier to one radiant or fire damage roll of that spell against one of its targets."
QUESTION: How much stock does D&d put in those words, "when you cast a spell." Does this mean literally, "the Action spent to do the spell's casting" or can this include the lasting damage effects of Concentration spells like Flaming Sphere or Sickening Radiance?
Discussion:
Flaming sphere gets cast with an action, but THEN takes a bonus action to ram into something and deal damage, so it seems the Action of casting is over before the damage is even dealt. Sickening Radiance deals its damage at the start of a creatures turn, so it would be excluded from this damage bonus due to timing?
It seems odd to me that when you gain this ability at level 6, the only spells it applies to are Fire Bolt, Sacred Flame, Guiding Bolt, and Hellish Rebuke. Is that just it? Are we all shrugging together about why we don't have something like Scorching Ray added to the list, or why this ability doesn't read "When you deal damage with a spell"? It seems it's use is highly limited!
What other spells would you look at to clarify your thoughts on this?
Has this been discussed at length in the past?
PS. I used to play magic the gathering so I'll admit, sometimes I get too narrowed in on words that define timing but this does seem specific on purpose.
RAW, “cast a spell” means “cast a spell,” not “take an action granted by a spell you cast three turns ago.”
Personally, however, I would allow the bonus to apply to the follow-up damage for Flaming Sphere, etc.
Generally, common sense need not apply.
It does exactly what it says it does, no more, no less. As I read it, the bonus to damage happens /only/ for the initial hit of damage on the turn you cast it. Your MTG timing experience will serve you well.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha