D&D 5E What are good ways to create cover?

ro · Jul 17, 2017

What are good ways to create cover?

Spellcasters in particular can benefit from cover. What creative ways can characters use cantrips, spells, and abilities to quickly and effectively create cover when combat begins, or is expected to begin?

jaelis · Jul 17, 2017

Minor ~~image~~ illusion can be used to create the illusion of cover, that can be almost as good.

You can take cover behind your allies, that is often effective.

We had a character once who carried a barrel around with him, and would jump into it to get cover. Of course, him being a barbarian made that a bit strange...

Eltab · Jul 17, 2017

Ask the DM for a description of the area.

Don't be afraid to hide by a wall and just peek out the doorway long enough to fire off a spell, then return.
Remember that in 5e you can take your Action in the middle of your Move. (You could not in 4e, to my Warlock's regular chagrin.)

Fog Cloud and some other spells specifically say they create a zone of cover / concealment.

nswanson27 · Jul 17, 2017

jaelis said:
Minor image can be used to create the illusion of cover, that can be almost as good.

You can take cover behind your allies, that is often effective.

We had a character once who carried a barrel around with him, and would jump into it to get cover. Of course, him being a barbarian make that a bit strange...

Perhaps you meant to say minor illusion? If so, I second this.

jaelis · Jul 17, 2017

nswanson27 said:
Perhaps you meant to say minor illusion? If so, I second this.

Quite so

Ralif Redhammer · Jul 17, 2017

Minor illusion is definitely a good trick, depending on the DM. if you’re dealing with certain spells and effects that require line-of-sight, a darkness spell dropped in-between the two parties can also work.

Tenser’s Floating Disc, if loaded up with the right stuff, could be used to create a mobile cover station.

jaelis · Jul 17, 2017

Ralif Redhammer said:
Tenser’s Floating Disc, if loaded up with the right stuff, could be used to create a mobile cover station.

TFD is not terribly easy to position precisely in 5e.

Tony Vargas · Jul 17, 2017

jaelis said:
TFD is not terribly easy to position precisely in 5e.

It follows you around, staying w/in 20', but it doesn't run away from you anymore if you try to move closer to it.

So exact positioning is an issue, but just hiding behind it is easy.

In descending order of likelihood to get you some cover:

Cast a spell that says it gives you cover
Cast a spell and make a case for it giving you cover
Use a cantrip and make a case for it giving you cover
Declare an action likely to call for a skill you have proficiency in to find cover
Declare a similar action even though you don't have proficiency
Ask the DM leading questions about the area until he describes something that could be used for cover...

... OK, that last is the worst or the best, depending on how good you are at gaming your DM.