D&D 5E Domes in spells

[Fleetwood C. DeVille]

What is the consensus on spells that form a "dome" as to whether or not they have a "floor"?

Inquiring DMs want to know.

 

[MostlyDm]

Don't know if there's a consensus, but I'd say no. A dome, to me, sounds like the spell creates half a sphere. If it's a wall, for example, I think tunneling under it is definitely a viable strategy.

In previous editions some barrier spells created spheres, not domes (though there were lots of domes). Not sure if any of those persisted to 5e offhand.

 

[Oofta]

I've always assumed that if a dome has a floor, it will say so. If it says (such as with Leomund's Tiny Hut) that it creates a hemisphere, then that is what it creates. Half of a (hollow) sphere which does not include a floor.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Dome does not include a floor. Confirmed here:

https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/805828810889248768

 

[jaelis]

For reference:

Q: Does Leomund's Tiny Hut have a floor, or is it vulnerable to burrowing foes?
Jeramy Crawford: Leomund's tiny hut creates a dome, not a hemisphere. There's no floor.

I would assume that generalizes to other spells like Wall of Force or Wall of Ice.

edit: No one beats Mouseferatu!

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

(Never mind, not worth a semantic debate.)

 

[Tony Vargas]

I vaguely recall some past-edition 'sphere' spell pointing out that a complete sphere was created, just with half of it below ground.

I'd probably go with something along those lines, rather than a 'floor,' if I didn't want a given 'dome' spell easily undermined and/or wanted it usable in other environments that might not include a conveniently-defined or solid surface.