While working on an encounter. I remember that escort character has a prosthetic arm, which essentially makes him it is an entire character aspect. And one of the enemies has the ability of heat-metal, now you should know what that spell does it not just look it up here. But in short terms. It's 2-D eight per time you are either holding or wearing said object that is underneath the radius. That means if a person has a prosthetic limb which means they cannot remove, that every turn in combat. They are default and to have two D8 damage of fire! It's funny how certain spells can show how dangerous it can be!
(Funny thing is this did not come up in the video, on how to play the Winter soldier in D&D! But whole person did!)
A prosthetic limb doesn't need to be metal, nor entirely composed of metal, and pragmatically, wouldn't be. Stone, wood, bone, leather, etc... can all be used.
A metal arm might look cool, but would lead to far more problems than benefits.
A wood and leather arm, with a steel gauntlet, would probably be perfectly safe, as the user isn't actually touching the metal part.
Functionally, heat metal would work no differently on that prosthetic than it would on a suit of metal armor. It takes far longer than 1 minute (the duration of the spell) to doff armor. The effect can still be dispelled, and it is still a concentration spell.
If it’s a metal prosthetic I’d guess there’s some kind of heavy padding between the metal and the skin otherwise it’d rub raw. That’s an insulator (sure you can make that argument with armor but IMO it’s different rules/scenario)...so limited damage imo. Like grabbing a kitchen pan off the stove- the handle is insulated-the pan is screaming hot, but you’re not holding the pan to your chest.
imo, have to use dm discretion in this scenario. If a character has a metal pin in their hair- which is a manufactured product- would they really take all that damage if heat metal was cast upon it? No imo. If one ball bearing has it and it’s tossed into your lap, would you take all that damage?
If it’s a metal prosthetic I’d guess there’s some kind of heavy padding between the metal and the skin otherwise it’d rub raw. That’s an insulator (sure you can make that argument with armor but IMO it’s different rules/scenario)...so no damage at all imo. Like grabbing a kitchen pan off the stove-the pan is screaming hot, but you’re not holding the pan to your chest.
I would not allow your thinking on this. Nevermind I saw your armour comment. So OP go ahead a heat metal on Winter Soldier. But the caster is not going live long enough to finish his current Netflix list.
imo, have to use dm discretion in this scenario. If a character has a metal pin in their hair- which is a manufactured product- would they really take all that damage if heat metal was cast upon it? No imo. If one ball bearing has it and it’s tossed into your lap, would you take all that damage?
Yes. Because that is what the spell does. It is magic. Maybe smaller items get hotter because they can't distribute the heat so it does just as much damage with less contact. But how is fkr the DM to figure out (or not, who cares), what matters most is what the rules say it does.
Keep in mind that heat metal, like of lot of spells, targets an object made of metal that you can SEE. If a character has a metal prosthetic but are wearing a shirt and a glove then the caster of heat metal can't SEE the prosthetic and can't target it with a spell. In addition, if the part of the prosthetic that is visible is not made of metal then it can also not be targeted.
"Choose a manufactured metal object, such as a metal weapon or a suit of heavy or medium metal armor, that you can see within range."
If the prosthetic is covered with wood or another substance to make it more realistic then if that covering is not metal then it could not be targeted. In addition, even if the prosthetic is covered by an illusion, unless the caster of heat metal manages to see through the illusion, they still can't see the prosthetic in order to target it.
Any creature in a D&D world forced to use a prosthetic AND of sufficient level, power or worldly experience would likely be fully aware of the heat metal spell and would take appropriate precautions to prevent their prosthetic from being targeted (low level PCs/NPCs might not be fully aware yet but it will only take one time :) ). So it is up to the DM how they want to run it but honestly, I would not expect this to be an issue unless the character/NPC with the prosthetic believes in living dangerously and taking risks just for fun and isn't that intelligent to start with.
On the other hand, if the character wears a metal prosthetic openly and visibly then yes it can be targeted by heat metal and that will be as effective (in terms of doing damage) as if it was targeting a creature wearing metal armor (assuming that the prosthetic doesn't have some form of quick release) ... which means the counter measure is an all out attack on the caster in an attempt to break their concentration (or counterspell when it is cast ... or dispel magic on the creature with the prosthetic to cancel the heat metal - it depends on the level of the characters what counter measures they will have available.)
I have to disagree with David42. Because by opening up "YOU CAN SEE" to make the spell work, my players would do this. "I am wearing an oversize clown costume which covers my armour and helm. The Caster can't see my plate mail." OR " I spent 10 GP on Balsa wood airplanes. I have cut and glued the wood to my great sword. The caster can't see my sword." The escort character has chosen a metal arm for rule of cool reasons. I see no reason not to get them hot and bother over their choice.
I have to disagree with David42. Because by opening up "YOU CAN SEE" to make the spell work, my players would do this. "I am wearing an oversize clown costume which covers my armour and helm. The Caster can't see my plate mail." OR " I spent 10 GP on Balsa wood airplanes. I have cut and glued the wood to my great sword. The caster can't see my sword." The escort character has chosen a metal arm for rule of cool reasons. I see no reason not to get them hot and bother over their choice.
i would totally allow these as countermeasures to heat metal...and I would then delight when the wearer of that oversized clown costume realizes he/she has disadvantage on attack and dex roles and is flopping around like a bumbling fool...or when they realize that after the first hit with that balsa-covered sword, a good chunk of the balsa wood covering falls off and allows the caster to see the metal.
that would be fun....you know, if a character ever actually went to that extreme just to deal with heat metal attacks.
hmm, if you can argue that casting heat metal on a prosthetic causes the wearer full damage...what's to stop someone from casting it on an arrowhead?...that arrow hits the target and causes full 2d8 fire damage plus the normal arrow damage, then the target has a choice of either pulling it out next action or continue to take an additional 2d8 damage each round. seems like a nice opening shot at the beginning of battle...great for ambushes.
fire genasi (or anyone else resistant to fire damage) could cast it on their own sword...still taking half damage because they're holding it but dealing the full 2d8 fire damage plus sword damage on each hit....quick kill assassination imo for a fire genasi rogue with sneaky dice
TBH, if the prosthetic is made of metal, and the caster can see the metal it is made of, I think it is perfectly acceptable (and required) for them to take the full damage just as if they were wearing metal armour or using a metal shield. I would probably not allow "padding" to stop the damage either, as most armour would also be padded, and most weapons would have a non-metallic hilt/handle etc, basically nullifying the effects of the spell altogether.
However, I would also completely agree that the caster must be able to see the metal. They could not cast the spell on the coins in your purse, the ice pick in your back pack or the medallion you got from your mother which you wear under your clothes next to your heart. Therefore, if none of the metal making up the prosthetic is visible, then the spell would not be able to target it. If the players tried to get cute and cover all their metallic possessions to avoid the spell... Well, even a "miss" with an attack or brush with a thorn-bush could have snagged the clothing and created enough of a hole for the metal to be seen. There are may ways an NPC could get around this (I say with an evil grin spreading across my face)
I have to disagree with David42. Because by opening up "YOU CAN SEE" to make the spell work, my players would do this. "I am wearing an oversize clown costume which covers my armour and helm. The Caster can't see my plate mail." OR " I spent 10 GP on Balsa wood airplanes. I have cut and glued the wood to my great sword. The caster can't see my sword." The escort character has chosen a metal arm for rule of cool reasons. I see no reason not to get them hot and bother over their choice.
I'm just citing what the text of the spell says. Any DM is welcome to house rule things differently but RAW, Heat Metal like many other spells requires the caster to see the target.
If the caster can see a prosthetic arm - how do they know it is made out of wood or metal unless they can see the metal? Do they cast Heat Metal and then have the DM say "Sorry, invalid target, it isn't made of metal, you lose the spell slot?".
In terms of covering up, as DM, I would totally allow it if the player came up with a good and functional way to cover up. In terms of a prosthetic normal clothes/armor + gloves or boots would likely be sufficient unless the character's clothes are damaged and expose the prosthetic limb.
However, it would be difficult to entirely cover metal armor and still have it functional without impeding movement or having a covering which normal wear and tear would quickly remove. The same goes for weapons or other pieces of gear which are usually exposed. The first time the weapon is used to hit something, whatever is covering the metal is likely to be removed just by the impact. On the other hand, if they are using a non-metallic sword or other weapon then the DM gave it to them in the first place.
So, honestly, I don't think it is a big deal and the spell does state that the caster needs to see the manufactured object made of metal.
Personally, I wouldn't allow either NPCs or PCs to cast heat metal on something made of metal that they can't see since that would open up far more loopholes and unbalanced situations that simply requiring the caster to see the target. "Ha! I cast heat metal on the fillings in your teeth! Take that!"
At a certain point, a prosthetic simply becomes part of the creature, and not a separate object. (Such as in the case of fillings).
If the target creature can choose to remove an object without causing harm to themselves, as in the case of doffing armor, then it's fair game, even if the process takes time.
The interesting thing about a prosthetic limb is that it can be attached and removed as an action, so a player could technically carry around spare arms and swap them out, if they get targetted.
hmm, if you can argue that casting heat metal on a prosthetic causes the wearer full damage...what's to stop someone from casting it on an arrowhead?...that arrow hits the target and causes full 2d8 fire damage plus the normal arrow damage, then the target has a choice of either pulling it out next action or continue to take an additional 2d8 damage each round. seems like a nice opening shot at the beginning of battle...great for ambushes.
fire genasi (or anyone else resistant to fire damage) could cast it on their own sword...still taking half damage because they're holding it but dealing the full 2d8 fire damage plus sword damage on each hit....quick kill assassination imo for a fire genasi rogue with sneaky dice
Neither effect works, because there are no rules for extended contact with weapons and the damage from heat metal occurs once at the time the bonus action is spent (at which time the weapon is no longer in contact), not on contact. A fire-immune creature in metal armor grappling, or a special power that results in an attached metal object (including a hunting trap) would work, however.
While working on an encounter. I remember that escort character has a prosthetic arm, which essentially makes him it is an entire character aspect. And one of the enemies has the ability of heat-metal, now you should know what that spell does it not just look it up here. But in short terms. It's 2-D eight per time you are either holding or wearing said object that is underneath the radius. That means if a person has a prosthetic limb which means they cannot remove, that every turn in combat. They are default and to have two D8 damage of fire! It's funny how certain spells can show how dangerous it can be!
(Funny thing is this did not come up in the video, on how to play the Winter soldier in D&D! But whole person did!)
A prosthetic limb doesn't need to be metal, nor entirely composed of metal, and pragmatically, wouldn't be. Stone, wood, bone, leather, etc... can all be used.
A metal arm might look cool, but would lead to far more problems than benefits.
A wood and leather arm, with a steel gauntlet, would probably be perfectly safe, as the user isn't actually touching the metal part.
Functionally, heat metal would work no differently on that prosthetic than it would on a suit of metal armor. It takes far longer than 1 minute (the duration of the spell) to doff armor. The effect can still be dispelled, and it is still a concentration spell.
Actually, since a prosthetic limb can be removed as an action, it is much safer than if armor had been targeted.
If it’s a metal prosthetic I’d guess there’s some kind of heavy padding between the metal and the skin otherwise it’d rub raw. That’s an insulator (sure you can make that argument with armor but IMO it’s different rules/scenario)...so limited damage imo. Like grabbing a kitchen pan off the stove- the handle is insulated-the pan is screaming hot, but you’re not holding the pan to your chest.
imo, have to use dm discretion in this scenario. If a character has a metal pin in their hair- which is a manufactured product- would they really take all that damage if heat metal was cast upon it? No imo. If one ball bearing has it and it’s tossed into your lap, would you take all that damage?
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
I would not allow your thinking on this. Nevermind I saw your armour comment. So OP go ahead a heat metal on Winter Soldier. But the caster is not going live long enough to finish his current Netflix list.
No Gaming is Better than Bad Gaming.
Yes. Because that is what the spell does. It is magic. Maybe smaller items get hotter because they can't distribute the heat so it does just as much damage with less contact. But how is fkr the DM to figure out (or not, who cares), what matters most is what the rules say it does.
Keep in mind that heat metal, like of lot of spells, targets an object made of metal that you can SEE. If a character has a metal prosthetic but are wearing a shirt and a glove then the caster of heat metal can't SEE the prosthetic and can't target it with a spell. In addition, if the part of the prosthetic that is visible is not made of metal then it can also not be targeted.
"Choose a manufactured metal object, such as a metal weapon or a suit of heavy or medium metal armor, that you can see within range."
If the prosthetic is covered with wood or another substance to make it more realistic then if that covering is not metal then it could not be targeted. In addition, even if the prosthetic is covered by an illusion, unless the caster of heat metal manages to see through the illusion, they still can't see the prosthetic in order to target it.
Any creature in a D&D world forced to use a prosthetic AND of sufficient level, power or worldly experience would likely be fully aware of the heat metal spell and would take appropriate precautions to prevent their prosthetic from being targeted (low level PCs/NPCs might not be fully aware yet but it will only take one time :) ). So it is up to the DM how they want to run it but honestly, I would not expect this to be an issue unless the character/NPC with the prosthetic believes in living dangerously and taking risks just for fun and isn't that intelligent to start with.
On the other hand, if the character wears a metal prosthetic openly and visibly then yes it can be targeted by heat metal and that will be as effective (in terms of doing damage) as if it was targeting a creature wearing metal armor (assuming that the prosthetic doesn't have some form of quick release) ... which means the counter measure is an all out attack on the caster in an attempt to break their concentration (or counterspell when it is cast ... or dispel magic on the creature with the prosthetic to cancel the heat metal - it depends on the level of the characters what counter measures they will have available.)
I have to disagree with David42. Because by opening up "YOU CAN SEE" to make the spell work, my players would do this. "I am wearing an oversize clown costume which covers my armour and helm. The Caster can't see my plate mail." OR " I spent 10 GP on Balsa wood airplanes. I have cut and glued the wood to my great sword. The caster can't see my sword." The escort character has chosen a metal arm for rule of cool reasons. I see no reason not to get them hot and bother over their choice.
No Gaming is Better than Bad Gaming.
i would totally allow these as countermeasures to heat metal...and I would then delight when the wearer of that oversized clown costume realizes he/she has disadvantage on attack and dex roles and is flopping around like a bumbling fool...or when they realize that after the first hit with that balsa-covered sword, a good chunk of the balsa wood covering falls off and allows the caster to see the metal.
that would be fun....you know, if a character ever actually went to that extreme just to deal with heat metal attacks.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
hmm, if you can argue that casting heat metal on a prosthetic causes the wearer full damage...what's to stop someone from casting it on an arrowhead?...that arrow hits the target and causes full 2d8 fire damage plus the normal arrow damage, then the target has a choice of either pulling it out next action or continue to take an additional 2d8 damage each round. seems like a nice opening shot at the beginning of battle...great for ambushes.
fire genasi (or anyone else resistant to fire damage) could cast it on their own sword...still taking half damage because they're holding it but dealing the full 2d8 fire damage plus sword damage on each hit....quick kill assassination imo for a fire genasi rogue with sneaky dice
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
TBH, if the prosthetic is made of metal, and the caster can see the metal it is made of, I think it is perfectly acceptable (and required) for them to take the full damage just as if they were wearing metal armour or using a metal shield. I would probably not allow "padding" to stop the damage either, as most armour would also be padded, and most weapons would have a non-metallic hilt/handle etc, basically nullifying the effects of the spell altogether.
However, I would also completely agree that the caster must be able to see the metal. They could not cast the spell on the coins in your purse, the ice pick in your back pack or the medallion you got from your mother which you wear under your clothes next to your heart. Therefore, if none of the metal making up the prosthetic is visible, then the spell would not be able to target it. If the players tried to get cute and cover all their metallic possessions to avoid the spell... Well, even a "miss" with an attack or brush with a thorn-bush could have snagged the clothing and created enough of a hole for the metal to be seen. There are may ways an NPC could get around this (I say with an evil grin spreading across my face)
I'm just citing what the text of the spell says. Any DM is welcome to house rule things differently but RAW, Heat Metal like many other spells requires the caster to see the target.
If the caster can see a prosthetic arm - how do they know it is made out of wood or metal unless they can see the metal? Do they cast Heat Metal and then have the DM say "Sorry, invalid target, it isn't made of metal, you lose the spell slot?".
In terms of covering up, as DM, I would totally allow it if the player came up with a good and functional way to cover up. In terms of a prosthetic normal clothes/armor + gloves or boots would likely be sufficient unless the character's clothes are damaged and expose the prosthetic limb.
However, it would be difficult to entirely cover metal armor and still have it functional without impeding movement or having a covering which normal wear and tear would quickly remove. The same goes for weapons or other pieces of gear which are usually exposed. The first time the weapon is used to hit something, whatever is covering the metal is likely to be removed just by the impact. On the other hand, if they are using a non-metallic sword or other weapon then the DM gave it to them in the first place.
So, honestly, I don't think it is a big deal and the spell does state that the caster needs to see the manufactured object made of metal.
Personally, I wouldn't allow either NPCs or PCs to cast heat metal on something made of metal that they can't see since that would open up far more loopholes and unbalanced situations that simply requiring the caster to see the target. "Ha! I cast heat metal on the fillings in your teeth! Take that!"
At a certain point, a prosthetic simply becomes part of the creature, and not a separate object. (Such as in the case of fillings).
If the target creature can choose to remove an object without causing harm to themselves, as in the case of doffing armor, then it's fair game, even if the process takes time.
The interesting thing about a prosthetic limb is that it can be attached and removed as an action, so a player could technically carry around spare arms and swap them out, if they get targetted.
Neither effect works, because there are no rules for extended contact with weapons and the damage from heat metal occurs once at the time the bonus action is spent (at which time the weapon is no longer in contact), not on contact. A fire-immune creature in metal armor grappling, or a special power that results in an attached metal object (including a hunting trap) would work, however.