D&D 5E The Dangers of Overreliance on Leomund's Tiny Hut (3rd Level Spell)

[Oofta]

If the dome has a flat floor, what does it do to the ground underneath, which is presumably not perfectly flat? Does it slice off chunks? Leave gaps for protrusions to poke through? Or does the whole hut just rest unsteadily on top of uneven ground?

I think it's both simpler and more balanced to say there is no floor, and the spell magically warms or cools the air inside. If the dome can be dug under, that allows noncasting foes a way to assault it--difficult and slow, but doable.

The dome either sits on top with the edge not being perfectly flat to conform or it penetrates. I choose the former - it goes snug to solid ground. That means it can also be set at the side of a cliff or wall and makes it a little more flexible which can include blocking doors and whatnot.

So yes, the dome can also be dug under in my game. Or just call reinforcements because it's going to expire. All sorts of options other than gather around the edge of the dome waiting to be pincushioned to death. Unless of course the opponent can travel incorporeal or in the ethereal plane.

 

[MarkB]

It is "hollow", although there are two effects happening in there, one is the atmosphere being comfortable and dry, and the second the lighting. But it does not change the fact that there is only a dome of force, and domes have no floor.

The description says dome, but the Range says hemisphere, so take your pick. Hemisphere makes more sense to me.

 

[Lyxen]

The description says dome, but the Range says hemisphere, so take your pick. Hemisphere makes more sense to me.

The area is a hemisphere (in which two effects are maintained by the spell), but it's covered by a dome (which has its own properties) as indicated in the spell description.

 

[MarkB]

Incidentally, the version in Level Up takes a significant nerf. 200gp material component consumed per use, and any creature or object can pass through the dome.

 

[Oofta]

The description says dome, but the Range says hemisphere, so take your pick. Hemisphere makes more sense to me.

The area of effect language is pretty limited. Saying that the area of effect is a hemisphere is accurate as well since the interior of the dome is temperature controlled. So the spell does affect a hemispherical area.

We need to look at the spell description to determine the shape of the wall of force which is clearly described as "an immobile dome".

 

[MarkB]

The area of effect language is pretty limited. Saying that the area of effect is a hemisphere is accurate as well since the interior of the dome is temperature controlled. So the spell does affect a hemispherical area.

We need to look at the spell description to determine the shape of the wall of force which is clearly described as "an immobile dome".

Sure, but as mentioned earlier the designers aren't great on using precise language, so whether they intentionally said "dome" to mean there wasn't a floor, or they had it in mind that a dome has a floor, or they just didn't think about it either way is anyone's guess.

 

[Lyxen]

Sure, but as mentioned earlier the designers aren't great on using precise language, so whether they intentionally said "dome" to mean there wasn't a floor, or they had it in mind that a dome has a floor, or they just didn't think about it either way is anyone's guess.

They repeated "dome' a number of times, and the usual depiction of a dome does not include a floor. Why would there be a need to be more precise ? I think it's great that they were precise enough without creating a huge game jargon that makes the game hard to read and play (e.g. in PF2, actually moving is not really moving, to move, it's the effect of moving - or something of the kind, in any case, it's an "effect", not a "move")...

 

[Oofta]

Sure, but as mentioned earlier the designers aren't great on using precise language, so whether they intentionally said "dome" to mean there wasn't a floor, or they had it in mind that a dome has a floor, or they just didn't think about it either way is anyone's guess.

That sounds a bit convoluted to me. The spell affects a hemispherical area, domes do not require nor imply a solid floor.

Feel free to run it any way you want.

 

[Manbearcat]

Agreed.



Not necessarily, it does not say so in the description. And although the dome needs to be "above", nothing says that it can't be cast at an angle like a shield.



Because it's magic and the effect within the hemisphere drys the air and keep it comfortable, it says it clearly: "The atmosphere inside the space is comfortable and dry, regardless of the weather outside."


It only says that "the atmosphere" inside is comfortable and dry regardless of whether, but if it's flooded by something which is not atmosphere (water, lava, acid, you name it), this non-atmospheric part does not have to be comfortable and dry.

It's also dubious (and this is not covered at all by any rule as to water or lava qualify as objects and would be stopped by the dome even on the ground floor. In any case, lava would probably melt the floor around the bubble even if set on the ground, and even though the hemisphere would stay comfortable, you would experience a really nice barbeque effect from touching the floor... ")



Magic, clearly described.

That being said, for unusual castings, it's obviously up to the DM to rule if the conditions are too extreme, see also "atmosphere" above.



Prove it.



Any DM can make any ruling they want anyway.



Honestly, it matters little at our tables, the spell is barely used and certainly not overused, but the description is clear, although after that you can invent lots of things.

The writers are not known for their precision in the use of language. It’s doubtful they‘d pick a word with a precise meaning in one area but a different one in general use...while intending the more precise meaning. We don’t see similar precision anywhere else, so it’s an unsupported assertion they’re doing so here.

Magic. Because it’s a magic spell.

Again, it’s magic, not physics.

It’s still magic, not physics.

Yes, but not with the result you want.

No floor is specified.

 

[J.Quondam]

hemisphere: I still don't understand where this idea comes from that the word "hemisphere" somehow necessitates a floor? I men, it's just exactly half a sphere, nothing more. Was this because of something Crawford said?

dome: When the tour guide says, "Look at the dome!", no one looks at the floor; everyone stares at the ceiling. Up where the dome is. The floor could be right below it, far below it, or even non-existent if someone chose to dig a bottomless shaft there.

My 2cp: LTH has no floor. It keeps rain and uncomfortable air out for exactly the same reason it admits only good guys and keeps out goblins through it walls: because magic. So yes, that means ankhegs can and occasionally do attack through the floor in the middle of the night! Because no magic is perfect.