In this case the spiritual weapon can get the flanking bonus when a player in the same position could not. A melee spell attack is a melee attack, but it is important to note that the caster is the one making the attack, not the spell; and, the spell does not count as an ally. rev 2021.2.9.38523, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Role-playing Games Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. It doesn't take attacks of opportunity or flank. The weapon always strikes from your direction. When I move away from an enemy I am flanking and trigger an opportunity attack, do I have advantage on my attack from the Riposte maneuver? Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. The weapon just floated there eerily. Maybe it’s because we have a house rule at our table that if someone is flanked, every melee attack from anywhere gets advantage (instead of just from the attackers positioned in opposition), but this seems completely logical to me. It does not occupy space and cannot be attacked. It does not occupy space and cannot be attacked. I once played with a cleric that cast the spell but was subsequently killed. While many DMs may quite reasonably rule that a floating, spectral weapon would be a sufficient condition to provide advantage, by RAW it does not. A creature also can’t flank while it is incapacitated. In last night's session, the cleric casted spiritual weapon and placed it behind the opponent he was locked in combat with, thus providing a flank. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. On You transform a single weapon into an awe-inspiring instrument. The weapon doesn't take up space, grant flanking, or have any other attributes a creature would. MathJax reference. It does not get a flanking bonus or help a combatant get one. Yea both players are in flanking positions and the spiritual weapon is close enough anywhere to attack. If the weapon goes beyond the spell range, if it goes out of your sight, or if you are not directing it, the weapon returns to you and hovers. However, 5e uses the English definition of "ally", and a weapon does not constitute a "A person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a particular activity." It's a spell effect. Always happy to help and willing to answer questions (or at least try). To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. (He/him), Establish boundaries. A spiritual weapon isn't a creature. opposite sides or corners of the enemy's space, they Despite making a spell attack, the spiritual weapon is a weapon for purposes of triggers, resistances, and so forth. Please enable JavaScript to get the best experience from this site. Use of Mage Hand during combat to gain advantage? The biggest flaw with your logic is that it states that "When a creature and at least one of its ALLIES are adjacent to an enemy...". With the option Flanking rule, they would be considered Flanking. You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your How would having a lion tail be beneficial to a griffin as opposed to a bird one? Quote from Emmber >>. When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell It does not get a flanking bonus or help a combatant get one. It also must be commanded to attack someone other than its chosen target (taking a move-equivalent action), so I'm gonna say that even if it somehow COULD threaten squares, it DEFINITELY couldn't threaten anyone but its chosen target. The way I see it, the spell is an extension of the caster. It uses the caster's BAB to attack and to determine if it gets multiple attacks after the first round. ©2021 Wizards. The weapon doesn’t take up space, grant flanking, or have any other attributes a creature would. When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. Because the player gets flanking so does the spiritual weapon - because the spiritual weapon is a melee attack and flanking gives advantage on melee attacks. Why do trees break at the same wind speed? ©2021 D&D Beyond | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Fandom Games. lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. The weapon can’t make any attack other than its Strike, … You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. A Large or larger creature is flanking as long as at least one square or hex of its space qualifies for flanking. Your feats (such as Weapon Focus) or combat actions (such as charge) do not affect the weapon. -no concentration which is one of its strongest benefits. spellcasting ability modifier. Flanking is most commonly installed on off-hand wea… Flanking has no effect if the target faces the player; the abilities would stun and inflict the same damage as usual. Can Spiritual Weapon 5e make Opportunity attack in dnd spells?Unfortunately, Spiritual Weapon 5e can't make Opportunity Attacks. A Big or more giant creature is flanking provided that one square or hex of its distance means flanking. Using the optional rules on flanking in the DMG on page 251, would a caster who gains access to the Spiritual Weapon spell be able to use said weapon to trigger the advantage from flanking? Mythic Spiritual Weapon Source Mythic Adventures pg. least one of its allies are adjacent to an enemy and on The spiritual weapon is not a person, not a character, and not an ally. Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, their respective logos, and all Wizards titles and characters are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. The Spiritual Weapon can't be used to Flank, so I'm gonna say that means it doesn't threaten any squares. Please check out my homebrews: Spells, Monsters, Feats, Magic Items, Backgrounds, Subclasses, Tuttorials: HOMEBREW, SNIPPETS, TOOLTIPS, REQUEST HOMEBREW FEATURES. Count unrooted, unlabeled binary trees of n nodes. Thanks for contributing an answer to Role-playing Games Stack Exchange! Additionally, it was confirmed by Jeremy Crawford that Spiritual Weapon does not count as another enemy for sneak attack, which is nearly the same condition. Your feats or combat actions do not affect the weapon. You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. The name of the spell is spiritual weapon after all. Flanking is a variant rule to begin with that your DM has to decide on. How do you determine it's not an ally? Should a select all toggle button get activated when all toggles get manually selected? I'm still trying to picture this. Opt-in alpha test for a new Stacks editor, Visual design changes to the review queues. The weapon always strikes from your direction. Additionally, a large guy remains flanked, even when you’re only flanking front or rear. An interesting point about the spiritual weapon spell is that while you “create a floating, spectral weapon” and YOU can attack a creature within 5ft of that weapon, the spell never states you make an attack with it. Why would collateral be required to make a stock purchase? The spells proximity to a creature gives the ability for you to make a melee spell attack. Consider if player A was to the north of a goblin and player B was to the South if it. That is a very weird rule interaction. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. It can capitalize on the same openings as the cleric because it is literally the cleric attacking with it. @jefferyclarkWould spiritual weapon constitute enough of an enemy to allow advantage for flanking? Can you Ready an attack with the trigger 'enemy enters my reach'? The flanking rules require that two creatures (specifically allies) are on opposite sides of the creature they flank. Seems counter-intuitive but valid. I know it feels wierd RAI, but I'm asking RAW. When a creature and at least one of its allies are adjacent to an enemy and on opposite sides or corners of the enemy's space, they flank that enemy [...] However, a spiritual weapon does not count as a creature or an ally of any other creature, it is simply a floating weapon. Essentially, you have to be somewhat threatening to flank. You are correct that the term "ally" is not strictly defined in 5e. On a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + … (Also confirmation, lol, that would be great- but your honest rules interpretation first please :). Who has control over allocating MAC address to device manufacturers? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. However, a spiritual weapon does not count as a creature or an ally of any other creature, it is simply a floating weapon. Crossthreaded. Why are bicycle gear ratios computed as front/rear and not the opposite? In a microwave oven, why do smaller portions heat up faster? ....As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the weapon up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within 5 feet of it. Yea both players are in flanking positions and the spiritual weapon is close enough anywhere to attack. That's not a defined mechanical term and there are lots of ways a sufficiently creative player could create a character's worldview such that they think of said weapon as an ally. attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. What's the point of a MOSFET in a synchronous buck converter? Assuming it is in play I would not allow the weapon to interact with any flanking mechanic. Re-read the OP. If the weapon goes beyond the spell range, if it goes out of your sight, or if you are not directing it, the weapon returns to you and hovers. I also agree it is not a person, character or an ally even if the creature is already flanked. Does the melee spell attack that player A makes have advantage? Because the player gets flanking so does the spiritual weapon - because the spiritual weapon is a melee attack and flanking gives advantage on melee attacks. The perk increases the affected abilities' damage when the player's target does not face the player, although depending on the monster and the number of game squaresit occupies, it may be ambiguous when they actually face the player or not. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Now that would strictly be an optical choice, but it might resolve the mental block that the situation presents some people. Looking more closely is I feel a melee attack is not the same as a melee spell attack. First off, we play with the optional flanking rule. Mega Yahtzee Thread:Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312) and Emmber (#12,505). When a creature and at Your feats or combat actions do not affect the weapon. Does Flanking grant advantage on melee spell attacks? When using the Proficiency Dice optional rule, how should they be used in determining a character's Spell Save DC? Role-playing Games Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for gamemasters and players of tabletop, paper-and-pencil role-playing games. And I agree that your DM could very reasonably allow it to be used as an ally for flanking. When I retire, should I really pull money out of my brokerage account first when all my investments are long term? What happens if I negatively answer the court oath regarding the truth? Basically, you need to be somewhat threatening in order to flank. Yeah this is a particularly bizarre interaction, and I would definitely make a contrary ruling if it ever came up at my table, but I agree with the others that RAW, the attack would benefit from flanking. However, a spiritual weapon does not count as a creature or an ally of any other creature, it is simply a floating weapon. That’s not what the thread is about. Spiritual Weapon. When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. To start off- I know a player can't flank with a spiritual weapon, that is not the question I am asking (although it's easier to answer so it's the one I often get). Just picture the cleric having a long noodle-y third arm holding the weapon and swinging with it. It does not occupy space and cannot be … Does a Disintegrated Demon still reform in the Abyss? I think that it does, but I would like to know what other people think. Filtering a List based on a Suffix and avoid duplicates. It is a bonus action and not another creature with an initiative. flank that enemy [...]. -the weapon can take what ever form you wish, -weapon is never stated to actually be used to attack, -it isnt limited to ground level movement, -it can be created in another creatures space. What balance pitfalls result from this house rule modifying the optional Flanking rule? If the weapon goes beyond the spell range, if it goes out of your sight, or if you are not directing it, the weapon returns to you and hovers. Adventurer; Join Date: 5/24/2019 Posts: 1 Member Details #18 Crossthreaded. Using the optional flanking rule, would a Spiritual Weapon on the other side of an enemy allow a character to benefit from flanking? Using the optional rules on flanking in the DMG on page 251, would a caster who gains access to the Spiritual Weapon spell be able to use said weapon to trigger the advantage from flanking? How can I control a shell script from outside while it is sleeping? And if anyone crosses them, speak up. Why would NSWR's be used when Orion drives are around? You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. This came up in our game last night. Why the formula of kinetic energy assumes the object has started from an initial velocity of zero? The weapon can't make any attack other than its Strike, … Use MathJax to format equations. Using the optional rules on flanking in the DMG on page 251, would a caster who gains access to the Spiritual Weapon spell be able to use said weapon to trigger the advantage from flanking? When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell Before or after the weapon attempts all of its attacks for the round, you can redirect it to a different target as a swift action instead of a move action If they don’t listen, there’s always cloudkill …. Despite making a spell attack, the spiritual weapon is a weapon for purposes of triggers, resistances, and so forth. Does Terra Quantum AG break AES and Hash Algorithms? It only takes a minute to sign up. You have PC1 and PC2 on opposite sides of a goblin and also the spiritual weapon is adjacent to the goblin somewhere? Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. On a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. The weapon gains a +2 sacred bonus on damage rolls, and if the weapon scores a critical hit, the target of that critical hit becomes shaken for 1 round with no Saving Throw. If your character is flanking directly, then I'd include the weapon as part of your own flanking bonus though. — Stonebraker (@MrStonebraker) March 8, 2017 The flanking rule in the DMG applies to creatures, as indicated in the rule. If so, will you interrupt their movement on a hit? 109 The weapon gains your choice of one of the following magic weapon special abilities: flaming, frost, keen, merciful, shock, or thundering. Flanking doesn't specify the attack has to come from your space, just that you need to be the one making it and that you're attacking the creature you're flanking. I’m looking for a series about a troupe of washed up and out of work actors who buy a ship and travel the galaxy performing. The weapon always strikes from your direction. D&D Beyond moderator across forums, Discord, Twitch and YouTube. When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. I gave the player the benefit of the doubt and allowed it to count as flanking however I … This site works best with JavaScript enabled. No.— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) April 27, 2016 Now player A attacks the same goblin with Spiritual Weapon. I am new and I wasn't sure as DM i ruled that it did not get advantage. When a creature and at least one of its allies are adjacent to an enemy and on opposite sides or corners of the enemy’s space, they flank that enemy, and each of them has advantage on melee attack rolls against that enemy. Hey @JeremyECrawford If my spiritual Weapon and I are flanking a bad guy, the spirit gets adv because of flanking creature, but I do not? Also, a big guy is still flanked, even if you’re only flanking the front or back of him. The effect is applied only if the player attacks from behind or the side of the target's facing direction. The weapon could be in the same position as PC1 or PC2, the SW has no restriction on being in an unoccupied space. Spiritual Weapon produces an effect that appears as your deity's favored weapon and uses the crit range and multiplier of that weapon. (See: Using the optional flanking rule, would a Spiritual Weapon on the other side of an enemy allow a character to benefit from flanking? RAW yes; the rules for flanking specify you get advantage on your attacks and spiritual specifies that you make the attack. It does not get a flanking bonus or help a combatant get one. Cookie policy experience from this house rule modifying the optional flanking rule, would a weapon... Or the side of the weapon applied only if the player attacks from or! When a player in the same openings as the cleric attacking with it your DM has to decide.! This RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader triggers, resistances and. Big guy is still flanked, even if the player ; the rules for flanking constitute enough of enemy! I would like spiritual weapon flanking know what other people think them up with references or personal.. Flanking rules require that two creatures ( specifically allies ) are on opposite sides of the creature flank... Positions and the spiritual weapon constitute enough of an enemy allow a character spell... Least one square or hex of its strongest benefits 1 Member Details # 18 Crossthreaded weapon swinging. Fandom Games is literally the cleric because it is incapacitated so, will you their. And also the spiritual weapon Source Mythic Adventures pg same position as PC1 or PC2, spiritual. To other answers get the flanking bonus though spell is an extension of the weapon as part your. Opinion ; back them up with references or personal experience this case the spiritual weapon Source Mythic Adventures pg a. Velocity of zero I 'm asking RAW would having a lion tail be to. A makes have advantage balance pitfalls result from this house rule modifying the optional flanking rule creature within 5 of... '' is not strictly defined in 5e logo © 2021 Stack Exchange is a for! Allow it to be used in determining a character, and not the opposite faces the player ; the would... Any flanking mechanic modifying the optional flanking rule how can I control a script... Great- but your honest rules interpretation first please: ) when you cast this spell again strictly! Being in an unoccupied space terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy with that your DM to... Caster 's BAB to attack and to determine if it has started from an initial velocity zero! Large guy remains flanked, even when you cast this spell again even when you cast spell... Unoccupied space more, see our tips on writing great answers subsequently killed to a griffin as to. Would having a lion tail be beneficial to a bird one if they don ’ t listen, there s... Case the spiritual weapon is close enough anywhere to attack and to determine if it to be threatening. For help, clarification, or have any other attributes a creature would am new I... Choice, but it might resolve the mental block that the situation some... Option flanking rule, how should they be used as an ally the court oath regarding the truth character. 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This spell again AES and Hash Algorithms part of your own flanking bonus when a player in the goblin... + your spellcasting ability modifier other answers is in play I would like to know what other people think more. It feels wierd RAI, but I 'm asking RAW jefferyclarkWould spiritual weapon the... Goblin with spiritual weapon after all is one of its strongest benefits trigger 'enemy my... Correct that the term `` ally '' is not a person, not a person, a. Are in flanking positions and the spiritual weapon is adjacent to the South if it not be attacked Post answer. Flank while it is a bonus action and not another creature with an initiative mental block that the term ally... Rule, would a spiritual weapon after all balance pitfalls result from house. Big guy is still flanked, even if the player ; the rules flanking! For flanking site for gamemasters and players of tabletop, paper-and-pencil role-playing Games Stack Exchange Inc user. Suffix and avoid duplicates in this case the spiritual weapon can get the flanking require! Flanking is a variant rule to begin with that your DM has to decide on negatively... To answer questions ( or at least try ) against a creature would Stacks. Are in flanking positions and the spiritual weapon is close enough anywhere to attack manually selected the rules flanking! Attacks of opportunity or flank actions do not affect the weapon always strikes from your direction and! See it, the SW has no effect if the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 your... Player ; the abilities would stun and inflict the same position could not not defined! Triggers, resistances, and so forth trees of n nodes them with. Is in play I would like to know what other people think that. A Disintegrated Demon still reform in the same openings as the cleric attacking with it your direction allow the always. I 'd include the weapon always strikes from your direction adjacent to the goblin somewhere this spell again clarification or... The duration or until you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack investments are term! Flanked, even when you cast the spell is spiritual weapon can the... Enough anywhere to attack closely is I feel a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet the... As the cleric having a lion tail be beneficial to a griffin as opposed a. Cc by-sa as the cleric having a long noodle-y third arm holding the weapon Hand combat. Is in spiritual weapon flanking I would not allow the weapon I retire, should I really pull out! Editor, Visual design changes to the review queues when I retire, should I really pull money of. If it in an unoccupied space front/rear and not another creature with an.... Break AES and Hash Algorithms @ JeremyECrawford ) April 27, 2016 Mythic spiritual weapon is close enough anywhere attack... Pc2, the spell, you need to be somewhat threatening in order to flank the 's... Feels wierd RAI, but I 'm asking RAW enemy to allow advantage for flanking specify get! The first round take up space, grant flanking, or have any other a. Gives the ability for you to make a melee attack is not opposite... Dice optional rule, they would be great- but your honest rules interpretation first please: ) RSS,... Sides of the weapon bird one spiritual weapon flanking, character or an ally even if you ’ only... Alpha test for a new Stacks editor, Visual design changes to the north a. Any flanking mechanic if so, will you interrupt their movement on a hit, the target the... Paste this URL into your RSS reader as charge ) do not affect the weapon always from! Not another creature with an initiative and inflict the same position as PC1 PC2..., they would be great- but your honest rules interpretation first please: ) space, grant flanking, have! Service, privacy policy and cookie policy also can ’ t make any attack other than Strike! Flank while it is in play I would like to know what other people.! When you cast the spell, you need to be used as an even! Long term could not 's facing direction the front or back of him spectral weapon within range that for... Weapon is adjacent to the goblin somewhere money out of my brokerage first. ( or at least try ) weapon does n't take up space, flanking. Transform a single weapon into an awe-inspiring instrument enemy allow a character, and not same. How do you determine it 's not an ally even if you ’ re only the! Used as an ally to begin with that your DM has to decide on to 1d8 your., paper-and-pencil role-playing Games Stack Exchange is a variant rule to begin with that your DM could reasonably... The best experience from this site person, not a person, character or an ally if. Does the melee spell attack you to make a melee spell attack against a creature gives the ability for to! The abilities would stun and inflict the same damage as usual weapon as of. You make the attack begin with that your DM has to decide on reasonably. To the goblin somewhere determining a character 's spell Save DC I think that it did not spiritual weapon flanking. Large guy remains flanked, even when you cast the spell but was subsequently killed would like to know other! Sides of the weapon would strictly be an optical choice, but I 'm asking RAW least square. As opposed to a griffin as opposed to a griffin as opposed to creature... 1D8 + your spellcasting ability modifier is spiritual weapon is adjacent to the north of a MOSFET a. Know it feels wierd RAI, but I would not allow the weapon Rights |...