D&D 5E (2014) Dispel Evil and Good cleric spell 5th level in use

[aco175]

I have the final fight tonight with the ghost dragon in its lair. I'm not sure but likely will have an auto-hit on allies that become possessed, but a to-hit against other monsters that the ghost possesses. I think it is mostly to have the player that is possessed be able to do something in short order. I usually make them roll to hit other allies, which they all seem to like.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

So what, anytime it is dramatically appropriate, we should just pretend the D&D magic system doesn't exist?

TBH, yes. D&D's magic sucks and often the game is poorly balanced for team play and excitement. This is why bosses have legendary resistance - to give them a chance to be interesting.

RAW Strahd is a one round speedbump for any semi competent party, assuming everyone even gets a chance to act before his pathetic HP total is vaporized. How is that memorable or fun?

I'll take a set piece any day. BTW, in my scenario, DIspel Evil still works, it just requires setup.

 

[Maxperson]

Magic Missile is the most obvious, but there's also Heat Metal, Cloud of Daggers, and Reverse Gravity.

Oh and I guess I should mention Immovable Object, as it's actually an offensive touch spell with no save.

Magic Missile is a sacred cow. Cloud of Daggers isn't a ranged attack at all. It's an area effect like Blade Barrier. Same with Reverse Gravity. Heat Metal doesn't attack a creature. It heats an object.

Of those examples, only Magic Missile is a ranged attack and the auto miss is only there as a sacred cow. I have a vague recollection that the playtest tried it with to hit rolls and got shot down, but I could easily be wrong about that.

 

[TheSword]

So what, anytime it is dramatically appropriate, we should just pretend the D&D magic system doesn't exist? "Yeah, uh, it's really important that you can't interact with this plot point in any way until it's dramatically appropriate, and I don't know why you'd want to, that can't possibly be satisfying."

I don't want to get too absurd on this point, but that's a slippery slope. "Hey guys, let's play D&D, where you get these cool abilities, but don't use them if it would derail the story I'm trying to tell".

It's like why I don't even bother to prepare DIvination spells anymore, because on the off chance they could tell me something useful, the DM likely doesn't want me to know what that is because it would derail their campaign.

I think you’re forgetting that in 5e NPCs and Monsters don’t follow PC construction rules. There are foes that can cast multiple leveled spells in a round and that bypass restrictions that players have for balance reasons.

Where there is space for interpretation the DM should absolutely be encouraged to do so to a reasonable extent.

@aco175 made a really good call.