D&D 5E Do Arcane Abilities work when bound and gagged?

[The Human Target]

Maybe I am not understanding the question, but in 5th ed. each spell has requirements listed, including whether there are verbal and/or somatic components. So if there are somatic components, they can't be cast if the wizard has her hands bound. If there are verbal components required, they can't be case while her mouth is gagged.

Many classes have abilities that are not spells. Even magical abilities.

 

[Tony Vargas]

However, certain Arcane Tradition abilities make no mention of this.

Nod. They're still wizard abilities, though, and wizards gain their magical abilities from study and practice, so it'd be pretty fair to rule they need to do /something/ to use them...

For example, Minor Conjuration allows the wizard to "use an action" to summon an object. Would you, as a DM, allow a Conjurer to use this ability while bound and gagged?

In 5e, No. In a more RAW-oriented edition, maybe (but not if I could find even a tenuous reason to deny it - of course, the premier RAW-obsessed edition had Still Spell & Silent Spell, anyway...).

What about Minor Alchemy, that changes one substance into another? Would you let a Transmuter use this while bound and gagged to say, turn their gag into something edible?

Again, in 5e, no - heck, I might even expect some sort of reagents be involved.

Would you rule on these on a case by case basis, or is there some blanket rule that works well?

In 5e, always best to rule case-by-case, IMHO.

Can you think of a reason why it might be a bad idea to rule that all these Arcane Tradition abilities require Verbal Components?

Just that if any is meant to be used in conjunction with actual spellcasting some stickler might get the idea that they can't be, because 'they both require verbal components at the same time.'

 

[Warmaster Horus]

...
LESSONS LEARNED: OR HOW TO TO KEEP YOUR WIZARD IN CHAINS

(1) If you have to bind and gag a wizard, make sure to blindfold him or her as well!

(2) School of Conjuration is the best equipped for escaping from being bound, gagged, and blindfolded. If you capture a Wizard of the School of Conjuration, make sure to keep an eye on his hands. It is not enough to just tie them. At high levels, you will also need some powerful magic spells like forbiddance or magic items like dimensional shackles to keep a conjuration wizard bound.

(3) School of Transmutation is the second best equipped for escapism, but only at high levels. Starting at 14th level a school of transmutation wizard can turn his rope or chains into spaghetti. Don't tie your high-level transmutation wizard up with mundane rope, get a Ball and Chain +1.

One I use is Keep Your Familiar Hidden. My wizard's familiar spends most of their time in the 'extradimensional space' they can be sent to when not being used explicitly for another task. A good familiar is very useful if you are captured & bound.

 

[KahlessNestor]

No components listed, no components needed. Isn't one of the Rules of Magic "Follow the Rules"?

So it's hard to keep a wizard tied up. So? You're not adventuring if you're all trussed up like a Christmas goose. Might as well just all go home early, play some X-Box. Because you're not playing D&D.

Sent from my SM-G900P using EN World mobile app

 

[steeldragons]

I'd say a "case by case" ruling basis is warranted and appropriate.

Can the Conjurer use the Minor Conjuration while shackled in irons? Sure, probably. Why not? Can the Conjurer use Minor Conjuration if he's captured by Frost giants or an Ice Witch and his hands/arms are encased in ice up to the elbows? Probably not.

Can the Diviner use/invoke their Portent for a roll that's happening while they're bound and gagged? I would say, in almost all circumstances, yes. They are "divinations" that, presumably, were made/occured before they were bound and gagged. "I knew that guard would fail their save against the party member coming to my rescue." Sure, that works/makes sense.

Can an Evoker use their [whatever its called] to Empower a spell when they are incapable of casting a spell while bound and gagged? That'd be a "No."

As with all the best DM rulings:
1) Look at what the rules say.
2) What makes sense to the internal consistency of the fiction?
3) Apply or amend the relevant rules to what makes sense to the particular circumstance occurring in the story [i.e., the fiction].
4) Proceed accordingly.

 

[transtemporal]

Don't take chance. Kill the wizard.

Wizards can wear armor now. Don't take chance. Kill all party.

 

[aco175]

Nobody has thought about who is tying up the mage. If some goblins were ding the tying, I would likely allow something. Smarter people and monsters I may need a check, or even make it neigh impossible. I have a hard time not seeing how there is no verbal and somatic components at all. I do agree with earlier posters about having fun and trying to give the players opportunity to use their characters ability. I would most likely try to give the players an option on how to use the ability.

 

[Springheel]

So it's hard to keep a wizard tied up. So? You're not adventuring if you're all trussed up like a Christmas goose. Might as well just all go home early, play some X-Box. Because you're not playing D&D.

Right, if your PCs get captured or you capture an enemy wizard, you're not playing D&D. Props for the most pointlessly snarky comment in the thread.

 

[Springheel]

As with all the best DM rulings:
1) Look at what the rules say.
2) What makes sense to the internal consistency of the fiction?
3) Apply or amend the relevant rules to what makes sense to the particular circumstance occurring in the story [i.e., the fiction].
4) Proceed accordingly.

​

Thanks, I've got some options to think about.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Right, if your PCs get captured or you capture an enemy wizard, you're not playing D&D. Props for the most pointlessly snarky comment in the thread.

No, If your PCs get captured and you feel the need to make it impossible for them to escape then you might not be playing D&D. Or if your PCs capture a wizard and then expect him not to escape while not actually posting a watch on him then they're being a bit silly.