My party is in the middle of a climactic encounter with a demilich. Weve paused now mid-combat just after one of the players successfully used a bead of force on the demilich, containing it inside of the sphere. There are a bunch of specific nuances with how the demilich's abilities should interact with the bead of force that I'm not sure about. There is a lot of discussion online about wall of force and how it prevents line of effect for targeting, but the language on the bead of force is slightly different. The specific wording on bead of force: Only breathable air can pass through the sphere’s wall. No attack or other effect can.
Any of the demilich's actions that specify 'targeting' Im reasonably sure cannot pass through the sphere of force, but what about its howl action? Or the cloud of dust and energy drain legendary actions? All of these actions specify that "Each creature within X feet of the demilich" make a saving throw. The flavor of the howl and cloud of dust each suggest that the 'effect' (sound or dust emitted from the demilich) is going from the demilich to the players which seems to me should be blocked by the sphere of force, but its not actually explicitly defined as such in the description (the howl does mention that "The demilich emits a bloodcurdling howl" while the cloud of dust just says "The demilich magically swirls its dusty remains"). The energy drain is less clear as there isn't any flavor or description to suggest that the effect is going from the demilich to the players. Im leaning towards allowing the energy drain to function but not the howl/cloud of dust.
A similar follow-up question: would you allow the use of sacred flame on the demilich inside the sphere, following the same logic used to justify using sacred flame through a wall of force?
Final question: If the demilich is able to use his antimagic field lair action, can he target himself with it inside of the sphere and use it to pop the bubble? Leaning towards yes on this one.
A similar follow-up question: would you allow the use of sacred flame on the demilich inside the sphere, following the same logic used to justify using sacred flame through a wall of force?
Final question: If the demilich is able to use his antimagic field lair action, can he target himself with it inside of the sphere and use it to pop the bubble? Leaning towards yes on this one.
No, the RAI of Beads of Force is very clear - nothing except breathable air can pass through the sphere. So no magic or effect that is caused by (thus originates from) a creature or object on the outside of the sphere can do anything to anything inside the sphere, likewise no magic, attack, or effect of any kind that is caused by a creature or object inside the sphere can do anything to anything outside of the sphere.
So the Demilich cannot affect the players in anyway at all, none of their abilities can affect any of the players. Likewise the players can't do anything at all to the Demilich, none of their spells or abilities can touch the demilich.
All that either the Demilich or the Players can to "each other" for the duration of the sphere is try to move the sphere around or try to dispel/destroy the sphere itself. So yes any kind of antimagic can cancel out the sphere from either direction.
[...] A similar follow-up question: would you allow the use of sacred flame on the demilich inside the sphere, following the same logic used to justify using sacred flame through a wall of force?
Just to say Sacred Flame through a Wall of Force or through a transparent panel was under discussion before. However, the 2024 rules for the spell are now unambiguous:
Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 Radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from Half Cover or Three-Quarters Cover for this save.
PS. Personally, even with the 2014, I was ruling the same way the 2024 spell is stating now.
My party is in the middle of a climactic encounter with a demilich. Weve paused now mid-combat just after one of the players successfully used a bead of force on the demilich, containing it inside of the sphere. There are a bunch of specific nuances with how the demilich's abilities should interact with the bead of force that I'm not sure about. There is a lot of discussion online about wall of force and how it prevents line of effect for targeting, but the language on the bead of force is slightly different. The specific wording on bead of force: Only breathable air can pass through the sphere’s wall. No attack or other effect can.
Any of the demilich's actions that specify 'targeting' Im reasonably sure cannot pass through the sphere of force, but what about its howl action? Or the cloud of dust and energy drain legendary actions? All of these actions specify that "Each creature within X feet of the demilich" make a saving throw. The flavor of the howl and cloud of dust each suggest that the 'effect' (sound or dust emitted from the demilich) is going from the demilich to the players which seems to me should be blocked by the sphere of force, but its not actually explicitly defined as such in the description (the howl does mention that "The demilich emits a bloodcurdling howl" while the cloud of dust just says "The demilich magically swirls its dusty remains"). The energy drain is less clear as there isn't any flavor or description to suggest that the effect is going from the demilich to the players. Im leaning towards allowing the energy drain to function but not the howl/cloud of dust.
A similar follow-up question: would you allow the use of sacred flame on the demilich inside the sphere, following the same logic used to justify using sacred flame through a wall of force?
Final question: If the demilich is able to use his antimagic field lair action, can he target himself with it inside of the sphere and use it to pop the bubble? Leaning towards yes on this one.
I'd rule all effects a Demilich can do won't pass through a Bead of Force.
Including Sacred Flame.
But it's magical effects should be suppressed in the Antimagic Field sphere i believe.
No, the RAI of Beads of Force is very clear - nothing except breathable air can pass through the sphere. So no magic or effect that is caused by (thus originates from) a creature or object on the outside of the sphere can do anything to anything inside the sphere, likewise no magic, attack, or effect of any kind that is caused by a creature or object inside the sphere can do anything to anything outside of the sphere.
So the Demilich cannot affect the players in anyway at all, none of their abilities can affect any of the players. Likewise the players can't do anything at all to the Demilich, none of their spells or abilities can touch the demilich.
All that either the Demilich or the Players can to "each other" for the duration of the sphere is try to move the sphere around or try to dispel/destroy the sphere itself. So yes any kind of antimagic can cancel out the sphere from either direction.
Just to say Sacred Flame through a Wall of Force or through a transparent panel was under discussion before. However, the 2024 rules for the spell are now unambiguous:
PS. Personally, even with the 2014, I was ruling the same way the 2024 spell is stating now.