Say during a fight in a forest, someone were to use the spell “speak with plants”. Would it be unreasonable to ask the plants affected by the spell to attack things? The spell specifically states “Plants might be able to perform other tasks on your behalf, at the GM's discretion. The spell doesn't enable plants to uproot themselves and move about, but they can freely move branches, tendrils, and stalks” Which gives the impression that they could theoretically attack things sort of like an immobile awakened tree/shrub. And maybe as incentive for the plants to help, the caster could promise to use the spell “plant growth” on the area after the battle to enrich the plants for the next year, doubling their production.
As a general rule, if a spell is intended to have combat applications, the mechanic for doing so will be explicitly described. Case in point,
"...This spell can cause the plants created by the entangle spell to release a restrained creature."
Given this specific example, I think it could be reasonable to ask plants to grapple a target, assuming there is sufficient vine-like foliage around, but anything with enough impact to cause damage would be hard to justify. However, there is plenty of wiggle room depending on the local flora. Having exotic fungus (Technically not plants, but a DM probably won't care.) release toxic spores, or having an Acacia tree deal piercing damage with its notorious spines are both probably fair game.
Basically, ask of plants what they are already inclined to do.
As a DM, it's good to encourage creativity, but the law of "equivalent exchange" suggests that the player should be rewarded for engaging with the game world, not just for finding technical loopholes.
Say during a fight in a forest, someone were to use the spell “speak with plants”. Would it be unreasonable to ask the plants affected by the spell to attack things?
Putting on my DM hat... unless it's a plant that has some sort of damage-dealing capability already (as Memnosyne suggested above), expecting any kind of useful attack out of them is asking too much. Per the spell, the plants can make an area difficult terrain, or release someone from an entangle -- anything too far beyond that level of engagement is probably a no-go. I might also have whatever request you make of them take your whole action, or at best a bonus action, depending on how elaborate it is -- they only have "limited sentience and animation, giving them the ability to communicate with you and follow your simple commands."
That said, it's a 3rd-level spell, so if you come up with something creative that you want them to do that might work in your favor during a combat I'd go with it. For instance, if your Battlemaster pal uses a tripping attack on a foe, asking the plants to hold that foe down (thus making them restrained as well as prone, and forcing a STR check to let them stand up) wouldn't be out of line.
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Remember if you break that seal, the DM can do it to you, too. Though it might make for an interesting fight, basically turning a 5'radius around some of the plants into a threatened area, could make the battlefield a bit more dynamic, or it could just make it seem like the plants are actually 15' squares.
This might work better as preparation for an attack or ambush. It’s hard to imagine a conversation with a plant would be quick, and it’s not like being able to speak to them charms them. You’ll need to convince them, or at least ask nicely. As Henry Crabgrass said, “always get consent.”
Say during a fight in a forest, someone were to use the spell “speak with plants”. Would it be unreasonable to ask the plants affected by the spell to attack things? The spell specifically states “Plants might be able to perform other tasks on your behalf, at the GM's discretion. The spell doesn't enable plants to uproot themselves and move about, but they can freely move branches, tendrils, and stalks” Which gives the impression that they could theoretically attack things sort of like an immobile awakened tree/shrub. And maybe as incentive for the plants to help, the caster could promise to use the spell “plant growth” on the area after the battle to enrich the plants for the next year, doubling their production.
I think the more fundamental question would be can the plants attack things.
Speak with Plants DAMAGE/EFFECT Communication (...) You imbue plants within 30 feet of you with limited sentience and animation, giving them the ability to communicate with you and follow your simple commands. ...
You can also turn difficult terrain caused by plant growth (such as thickets and undergrowth) into ordinary terrain that lasts for the duration. Or you can turn ordinary terrain where plants are present into difficult terrain that lasts for the duration, causing vines and branches to hinder pursuers, for example.
Plants might be able to perform other tasks on your behalf, at the GM's discretion. The spell doesn't enable plants to uproot themselves and move about, but they can freely move branches, tendrils, and stalks.
If a plant creature is in the area, you can communicate with it as if you shared a common language, but you gain no magical ability to influence it.
I'd say that, if you can speak with a plant creature, it might be persuaded to attack but that, otherwise, regular plants would only be able to perform the types of functions mentioned.
I think there's a pretty wide gulf between being able to move branches and tendrils and being able to effectively attack with them. Think about all the things Mage Hand can do, for example. Releasing an entangled creature doesn't require the same speed and control as grabbing one.
I'd probably allow limited grappling ability if the player was really pushing for it and an enemy fell prone in the affected area, but I think the spell would include things like damage and escape DC if this was an intended effect.
A DM might be willing to have the plants use the Help action. Cajoling them into creating difficult terrain (as discussed above) seems reasonable. Maybe provide cover? create a diversion? drop you an apple to throw if you don't have any weapons? A tree might be willing to shift its branches around to allow you an easy egress up and out of the way of the bad guys and then make climbing difficult for your pursuers. I wouldn't foresee a ton of use from the spell in combat but what it could add seems like it would be entertaining. Were I DMing, Inspiration might be in order...
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Say during a fight in a forest, someone were to use the spell “speak with plants”. Would it be unreasonable to ask the plants affected by the spell to attack things? The spell specifically states “Plants might be able to perform other tasks on your behalf, at the GM's discretion. The spell doesn't enable plants to uproot themselves and move about, but they can freely move branches, tendrils, and stalks” Which gives the impression that they could theoretically attack things sort of like an immobile awakened tree/shrub. And maybe as incentive for the plants to help, the caster could promise to use the spell “plant growth” on the area after the battle to enrich the plants for the next year, doubling their production.
"At the DMs discression" says it all. But the DM would have to consider:
As a general rule, if a spell is intended to have combat applications, the mechanic for doing so will be explicitly described. Case in point,
"...This spell can cause the plants created by the entangle spell to release a restrained creature."
Given this specific example, I think it could be reasonable to ask plants to grapple a target, assuming there is sufficient vine-like foliage around, but anything with enough impact to cause damage would be hard to justify. However, there is plenty of wiggle room depending on the local flora. Having exotic fungus (Technically not plants, but a DM probably won't care.) release toxic spores, or having an Acacia tree deal piercing damage with its notorious spines are both probably fair game.
Basically, ask of plants what they are already inclined to do.
As a DM, it's good to encourage creativity, but the law of "equivalent exchange" suggests that the player should be rewarded for engaging with the game world, not just for finding technical loopholes.
Putting on my DM hat... unless it's a plant that has some sort of damage-dealing capability already (as Memnosyne suggested above), expecting any kind of useful attack out of them is asking too much. Per the spell, the plants can make an area difficult terrain, or release someone from an entangle -- anything too far beyond that level of engagement is probably a no-go. I might also have whatever request you make of them take your whole action, or at best a bonus action, depending on how elaborate it is -- they only have "limited sentience and animation, giving them the ability to communicate with you and follow your simple commands."
That said, it's a 3rd-level spell, so if you come up with something creative that you want them to do that might work in your favor during a combat I'd go with it. For instance, if your Battlemaster pal uses a tripping attack on a foe, asking the plants to hold that foe down (thus making them restrained as well as prone, and forcing a STR check to let them stand up) wouldn't be out of line.
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Remember if you break that seal, the DM can do it to you, too. Though it might make for an interesting fight, basically turning a 5'radius around some of the plants into a threatened area, could make the battlefield a bit more dynamic, or it could just make it seem like the plants are actually 15' squares.
This might work better as preparation for an attack or ambush. It’s hard to imagine a conversation with a plant would be quick, and it’s not like being able to speak to them charms them. You’ll need to convince them, or at least ask nicely. As Henry Crabgrass said, “always get consent.”
I think the more fundamental question would be can the plants attack things.
Speak with Plants
DAMAGE/EFFECT
Communication (...)
You imbue plants within 30 feet of you with limited sentience and animation, giving them the ability to communicate with you and follow your simple commands. ...
You can also turn difficult terrain caused by plant growth (such as thickets and undergrowth) into ordinary terrain that lasts for the duration. Or you can turn ordinary terrain where plants are present into difficult terrain that lasts for the duration, causing vines and branches to hinder pursuers, for example.
Plants might be able to perform other tasks on your behalf, at the GM's discretion. The spell doesn't enable plants to uproot themselves and move about, but they can freely move branches, tendrils, and stalks.
If a plant creature is in the area, you can communicate with it as if you shared a common language, but you gain no magical ability to influence it.
I'd say that, if you can speak with a plant creature, it might be persuaded to attack but that, otherwise, regular plants would only be able to perform the types of functions mentioned.
I think there's a pretty wide gulf between being able to move branches and tendrils and being able to effectively attack with them. Think about all the things Mage Hand can do, for example. Releasing an entangled creature doesn't require the same speed and control as grabbing one.
I'd probably allow limited grappling ability if the player was really pushing for it and an enemy fell prone in the affected area, but I think the spell would include things like damage and escape DC if this was an intended effect.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
A DM might be willing to have the plants use the Help action. Cajoling them into creating difficult terrain (as discussed above) seems reasonable. Maybe provide cover? create a diversion? drop you an apple to throw if you don't have any weapons? A tree might be willing to shift its branches around to allow you an easy egress up and out of the way of the bad guys and then make climbing difficult for your pursuers. I wouldn't foresee a ton of use from the spell in combat but what it could add seems like it would be entertaining. Were I DMing, Inspiration might be in order...