D&D 5E Command and spike growth

[Lyxen]

For me I'm just going to suggest to the player to try a different command like Grovel if they can't go anywhere because of OAs.

It's a good way to do it, it's just that we have these table rules where we try not to backtrack and/or have discussions and suggestions like these as they really slow down play, which is why...

In either case the spell isn't failing just having a different effect.

... indeed having some adaptability is cool and usually a lot of fun, if yu can trust your players not to abuse it in later situations (which is the case at our tables).

 

[rmcoen]

I think an earlier poster had it "right":
1) If the creature knows it is in a field of spikes (possible only with Perception, per the spell description), then it knows movement will harm it. Command fails - perhaps defaulting to "Grovel".
2) Otherwise, the creature attempts to flee, as Commanded... moves 1 square, and takes damage from the spikes. A new save is forced - probably with a new Perception check - as the creature might think this was an isolated circumstance.
3) Repeat as necessary.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

What about that Nathair's Mischief then?

3	Each creature in the cube must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or begin giggling until the start of your next turn. A giggling creature is incapacitated and uses all its movement to move in a random direction.

 

[MarkB]

What about that Nathair's Mischief then?

3	Each creature in the cube must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or begin giggling until the start of your next turn. A giggling creature is incapacitated and uses all its movement to move in a random direction.

What about it? That spell doesn't have the caveats Command does. Targets aren't in their right mind, so they don't get to apply caution to their movement.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

What about it? That spell doesn't have the caveats Command does.

That's the point.