Harzel
Adventurer
A recent thread concerning whether the Slow spell goes through walls / around corners got me thinking ...
As mentioned in the other thread, for spells, there is a general rule
And then specific spells have explicit exceptions (usually 'spreads around corners').
Ok, but what about the numerous area effects produced by various creature abilities that are not spells? Their descriptions use language that is very similar or identical to spell area effects. Furthermore, in at least one instance - the Darkmantle's Darkness Aura - the same exceptional language ('spreads around corners') is used. So it seems to me that the obvious conclusion is that these effects obey the same general rule as spell effects.
But it's a little weird that a red dragon's breath weapon is less spread-y than a Fireball. Even weirder that a copper dragon's Slowing Breath (gas) doesn't act like Stinking Cloud. But maybe we can talk ourselves into being ok with those.
Now talk to me about a banshee's Wail.
Have I just overlooked the rule covering these? If not, how do you run these?
As mentioned in the other thread, for spells, there is a general rule
PHB said:A spell’s effect expands in straight lines from the point of origin. If no unblocked straight line extends from the point of origin to a location within the area of effect, that location isn’t included in the spell’s area. To block one of these imaginary lines, an obstruction must provide total cover, as explained in chapter 9.
And then specific spells have explicit exceptions (usually 'spreads around corners').
Ok, but what about the numerous area effects produced by various creature abilities that are not spells? Their descriptions use language that is very similar or identical to spell area effects. Furthermore, in at least one instance - the Darkmantle's Darkness Aura - the same exceptional language ('spreads around corners') is used. So it seems to me that the obvious conclusion is that these effects obey the same general rule as spell effects.
But it's a little weird that a red dragon's breath weapon is less spread-y than a Fireball. Even weirder that a copper dragon's Slowing Breath (gas) doesn't act like Stinking Cloud. But maybe we can talk ourselves into being ok with those.
Now talk to me about a banshee's Wail.
Have I just overlooked the rule covering these? If not, how do you run these?