D&D 5E Can a spell be cast to cause non lethal damage?

[Anakzar]

For shocking grasp I could see a creative DM allowing that to work very much like a Taser. So might be a safe way to knock someone out, unless the target has a heart condition

 

[Sammael]

Officially, no.

Unofficially, I'd allow it... but require a higher level slot to be burned. A nonlethal fireball could create a blast of superheated air that's not hot enough to cause burns but has similar effects to heat stroke.

 

[Oofta]

Oofta, I think the rules call out melee weapon attacks the way you're doing for melee spell attacks, which should mean melee attack includes longsword and shocking grasp. I think. I don't trust my rules knowledge anymore.

Nope. The rules specifically state melee attack. See my other response though to yunru

 

[Oofta]

I hate to correct you but a melee spell attack is indeed a melee attack, and I'm unsure how you could possibly say otherwise. It's literally in the name. It'd be like saying a melee spell attack isn't a spell, or isn't an attack.

After reading back through my handy-dandy basic rules (I don't have my book), I've changed my mind.


Page 7 of the basic rules

Melee Attacks​

Used in hand-to-hand combat, a melee attack allows you to attack a foe within your reach. A melee attack typically uses a handheld weapon such as a sword, a warhammer, or an axe. A typical monster makes a melee attack when it strikes with its claws, horns, teeth, tentacles, or other body part. A few spells also involve making a melee attack.
...
Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike...​

So ... hmmm ... I would rule that you can taze someone with a shocking grasp. Since it specifically calls out that melee attacks are considered those with weapons, claws, spells or unarmed attacks.

 

[Caliban]

Nope. The rules specifically state melee attack. See my other response though to yunru

Sorry, you are incorrect. A melee attack is just that - any melee attack. It could be a melee weapon attack or a melee spell attack.

By your logic, you couldn't knock someone out with a melee weapon attack, since it is obviously different than a melee attack.

The closest you can come to a non-lethal ranged spell would be the sleep spell. You can use it to "finish them off" - but you'll still need follow up with a melee attack to take them to zero HP or they'll wake up in a minute.

 

[Oofta]

Sorry, you are incorrect. A melee attack is just that - any melee attack. It could be a melee weapon attack or a melee spell attack.

By your logic, you couldn't knock someone out with a melee weapon attack, since it is obviously different than a melee attack.

Which ... if you look at post #14 you will note that I agreed that I was incorrect.

 

[Caliban]

Which ... if you look at post #14 you will note that I agreed that I was incorrect.

Which....if you check the timestamps (my post is 3 minutes after yours) you'll realize I was writing my post at the same time as you and there was no way I could have known what you were writing unless I happened to be psychic. Alas, I am not.

 

[mellored]

Spiritual weapon is good for that, as it's a melee attack at range.

Or the sleep spell.

 

[Lanefan]

I had this scenario just happen to the group I run on Saturday nights. They encountered a group of baddies with a hostage (being mind controlled and attacking as well) in tow, and the wizard wanted to cast a fireball that deals non lethal damage to protect the controlled hostage.

Reading your words literally, if the hostage was "in tow" and thus slightly behind his/her/its captors, all that's needed is some very careful aiming by the fireball's caster, to hit the captors and miss the hostage...this would absolutely IMO require an aiming roll, with a poor roll possibly either hitting the hostage as well or missing some (or all?) of the captors.

Lan-"it's rare when fireball isn't the best tool for the job at hand, but this might be such a time"-efan

 

[evilbob]

Generally: sure, why not? The entire concept of "knocking someone out" like it doesn't cause long-term damage to them is fantasy anyway so why not do it with a spell?

This exact situation: I like the suggestion about using a higher slot or otherwise making it a little more difficult, just because of the drama of the situation and the completely illogical nature of using a fireball spell to knock someone out. But sure, I'd say anything can be reasonably explained: like the blast is more concussive instead of fiery, or whatever. For something like shocking grasp, it's a lot more straightforward.