An invisible wall of force springs into existence at a point you choose within range. The wall appears in any orientation you choose, as a horizontal or vertical barrier or at an angle. It can be free floating or resting on a solid surface. You can form it into a hemispherical dome or a sphere with a radius of up to 10 feet, or you can shape a flat surface made up of ten 10-foot-by-10-foot panels. Each panel must be contiguous with another panel. In any form, the wall is 1/4 inch thick. It lasts for the duration. If the wall cuts through a creature's space when it appears, the creature is pushed to one side of the wall (your choice which side).
Nothing can physically pass through the wall. It is immune to all damage and can't be dispelled by dispel magic. A disintegrate spell destroys the wall instantly, however. The wall also extends into the Ethereal Plane, blocking ethereal travel through the wall.
* - (a pinch of powder made by crushing a clear gemstone)
Funny, I was just going to wonder aloud if the folks at DND Beyond check stats for searches for spells called out by by Actual Play streamers which coincide with the air dates of the episodes when the spells were cast/items were described, etc.
Would Sacred Flame be able to be cast at a target outside the wall of force? RAW "Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range." Also "The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw." Scared Flame does not go through the wall, it descends from above the creature. As stated in other comments the wall is the obstacle and grants the target cover, but with Scared Flame the target gains no benefit from cover.
Sacred Flame
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 cover for this saving throw.
His tweets are not official rulings. They may preview official rulings, but his tweets are only his opinion until it appears in SA. It is a heavily weighted opinion I'll grant you since he is in charge of designing the rules, but still only opinion.
He even stated in a tweet that his tweets are not to be considered official rulings.
as per WOTC, and the entire community, and himself, his tweets are not RAI, or RAW or considered official, try the sage advice compendium which was out when you made this comment
Can sound pass through a WoF sphere?
Yes, sound can pass through. Nothing in the WoF spell description restricts sound. From a gameplay perspective, you could rule that sound is dampened by the wall and grants advantage of saves against sound-based effects (e.g., a Vrock's Stunning Screech).
Does the "form a flat surface" requirement mean that all ten panels must be on the same plane? (I mean plane in terms of geometry, not "the Planes".)
I've seen players use six planes to form a cube, but the "form a flat surface" wouldn't seem to allow that.
A few Qs;
Can you create a Wof/Sphere around your Enemy or Ally, while they are standing on solid ground?
If yes, can you then move the Wof/Sphere while your Enemy or Ally are inside it?
If yes, can your Enemy or Ally move it like a hamster ball?
If yes, after "trapping" someone in it, can you then Teleport the Wof somewhere?
You cannot more the WoF. The spell description says you can make it free floating or rest on a soild surface and you wouldn't be able to move it after the casting.
Late to the party, but I completely disagree with your take. First, "conceal" has no such meaning: "1) to hide; withdraw or remove from observation; cover or keep from sight; 2) to keep secret; to prevent or avoid disclosing or divulging". Also the idea that any ruling other than Wall of Force providing total cover makes the spell have zero effect is just silly. It says exactly what it does in the description: it prevents anything from physically passing through it. That means no creatures, no weapons, no projectiles, no objects, etc. That seems like a totally reasonable effect for a 5th level spell.
The interpretation that Wall of Force gives total cover seems to be based on nothing actually present in the text of the spell, which goes against the age-old principle of "spells only do what they say they do". It would also make this 5th level spell ridiculously powerful. It would make you immune to almost all types of magic as long as your opponent doesn't have Disintegrate. Compare this to e.g. the 8th level Antimagic Field spell, which is very specific about all the ways in which is blocks magic. According to your interpretation, the only benefit of that 8th level spell would be negating area of effect spells originating outside the sphere, blocking teleportation, and the duration. At the same time, you lose any protection from physical effects, and it's less versatile in the shape and location. That does not seem like it should be three levels higher than Wall of Force to me.
If I am in a room made where the walls are made of constructed redwood trees The room is 40x50. Can I cast a wall of force that is 80 feet and use it to battering ram the walls and create a hole?
I'd argue that it only grants you total cover against anything physical just like the spell says, so magical energy can pass through but you cannot target with any physical weapon attacks, which still blocks a LOT. (Note that Tiny Hut is very similar, but actually calls out that spells can't pass through either...this just says nothing physical can pass through). Have it block magical projectiles if you really want, but something non-physical that doesn't travel between you and your target on the other side should be allowed to pass through as those aren't physical and shouldn't be blocked, meaning you don't have total cover for them. That makes it much more appropriate for 5th level, IMO.
A Robert Heinlein short story told of an ability to create 'Force Fields' controllable by thought. Took a rampaging T-Rex and formed a circular force field around it - then reduced the circumference of the circle to 1 foot diameter -
Instant compressed pulp. That thought has been with me for over 40 years - thought that would be the 'Most Awesome' D & D spell ever! Is it doable?
I would just like to mention that when it says "If the wall cuts through a creature's space when it appears, the creature is pushed to one side of the wall (your choice which side)." it never mentions that the creatures have to fit in it. Also, it says "You can form it into a hemispherical dome or a sphere with a radius of up to 10 feet" so you could make an incredibly small sphere or dome and force a tarrasque in it.
I still see no answer in terms of creative formations. "Contiguous" means touching. Can anyone clarify here?
1. Can I create a vertical panel, then horizontal, then vertical, then horizontal (connected at the edge), so it looks like this? _|_|_|_? Or can I create steps?
2. Can I just create a box with an open face on bottom instead of a dome?
3. Can I create a water wheel of panels? Or a + shape? (they would all be touching)
4. Can I create a contiguous diagonal plane that touches on the corners? (the diagonal of a 10ft panel is 14ft, so)
5. Do wall panels have to connect at edges? Or can I form a panel coming out of the center of another panel? (T-shaped?)
6. Can gaps be created in the wall? Let's say you have a floating cylinder, like a big peep hole, or a tube. The wall would envelop both sides, but since it does not pass through objects, it would be possible then to have a hole in the wall right?
On Sound passing through:
I would argue if it were a sphere, it would not allow sound. If it is an immovable force and immune to damage, then it would have no sound. Sound is caused by vibrations, which are tiny movements. No movement at all means no sound; sound obviously can cause damage as well--which also would confirm that sound would not pass through.
Thoughts?
Ugh. I guess my Dm read the Crawford tweet and went wild. Wall of Force in a dome is "total cover", and total cover means you can't target anyone behind the wall, even with magic. Arrows and spear don't go through. Spells can't go through. Psychic energy spells can't go through. Force spells can't go through. Can't walk through it to be inside and melee. Completely borked.
That's sad, cause if it is a full cover, u can't target even with fiscal weapons like bows, that means I can't even use the spell as a trap... That some bad ruling by someone in twitter, don't care if it Jeremy or Musk, twitter rules don't apply in 5e...
The rule is you can't target a creature in full cover... So don't matter if I see or not the guy behind the wall, something don't let me shoot the guy ... Then the wall is invisible but everyone can check if there is a wall by try target someone behind it, if I can't there is a wall...
No, the ethereal plane is just a sort of mirror plane, it's the plane ghosts and such exist in so wall of force stops ghosts moving though it and I believe phase spiders can't pass it but banishment sends the target to it's home plane or a small demi-plane which are unaffected by this
Is there any ruling about friction for these panels?
Tears of the Kingdom inspired so many questions about using this spell. (as did my Lv 7 sorcerer finding a Staff of Power)
If I make the 10x10 into a scaffold by alternating horizontal and vertical planes (like the instant scaffold schematic), could a character with a climb speed or spiderwalking ascend these panels or would traversing them be like greased ice?
If I threw a grappling hook onto the top edge of a vertical panel would it cling in place or slide left and right easily, allowing a load to slide along the length of the wall?
If it is slippery could I use the panels to make a 50' slide by making a long V chute?
Can I make a downward triangle, slightly open at the downward point so i could insert a ball and hook that i could use to support a load. (think upside down ? handle thing)
If I shape them like VVVVV are the connections two 1/4 inch slabs resting against each other like I leaned pieces of toast together or do they fuse as a continuous pointy edge?
How sharp are the edges of these indestructible perfect slabs?
If "resting on a solid surface," is it locked to that surface or just in space abutting it?
If I cast a wall of force on a moving ship's deck does the ship leave it behind or wear it like armor?
Ideally only spell that create an effect that run from the caster to the target are blocked by wall of force . But that mean you have to judge for each spell individually. A pain in the ass for convention and co. Or you need a clear indication for each spell and balance of spell must take account of this. For my table I take the decision to chose on flight.