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<blockquote data-quote="Edwidget" data-source="post: 8587458" data-attributes="member: 6795996">1. The spell really does not specify size. You can take that to mean any size, or you can use the examples to judge the intent. Most things &quot;Tower&quot; size are many objects put together. Up to you, but regardless the spell doesn't damage the thing it is cast on. Destroying objects is more a job for a spell like Shatter, which is surprisingly good if you look at how low object HP are in the DMG.2. Creatures are not objects. Corpses are though, assuming they aren't undead. The key distinction is &quot;inanimate.&quot;3. Nope. Creatures are not a valid target. Even if they were, the spell just doesn't do that. If it did it would say so. The spell assumes the metal is in contact for a longer period of time than just a weapon attack. It does great ongoing damage because it costs your bonus action every round -and- requires the item to stay in contact with the victim. Getting even more damage for no additional cost just buffs an already great spell.4. Nope. There are other spells for that. Look at Elemental Weapon, a 3rd level spell that adds 1d4 of an element of your choice. Heat Metal is already very good for a 2nd level spell. Adding (partly) the effect of a 3rd level spell doesn't seem necessary. I did cast it on an arrowhead and then broke it off in an enemy once. When it failed its save and was forced to &quot;drop&quot; the item, the DM ruled it did some damage to itself digging the arrowhead out.Spells generally do exactly what they say on the tin, not more or less. Nothing stops you from changing the rules to suit your table though.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Edwidget, post: 8587458, member: 6795996"] 1. The spell really does not specify size. You can take that to mean any size, or you can use the examples to judge the intent. Most things "Tower" size are many objects put together. Up to you, but regardless the spell doesn't damage the thing it is cast on. Destroying objects is more a job for a spell like Shatter, which is surprisingly good if you look at how low object HP are in the DMG. 2. Creatures are not objects. Corpses are though, assuming they aren't undead. The key distinction is "inanimate." 3. Nope. Creatures are not a valid target. Even if they were, the spell just doesn't do that. If it did it would say so. The spell assumes the metal is in contact for a longer period of time than just a weapon attack. It does great ongoing damage because it costs your bonus action every round -and- requires the item to stay in contact with the victim. Getting even more damage for no additional cost just buffs an already great spell. 4. Nope. There are other spells for that. Look at Elemental Weapon, a 3rd level spell that adds 1d4 of an element of your choice. Heat Metal is already very good for a 2nd level spell. Adding (partly) the effect of a 3rd level spell doesn't seem necessary. I did cast it on an arrowhead and then broke it off in an enemy once. When it failed its save and was forced to "drop" the item, the DM ruled it did some damage to itself digging the arrowhead out. Spells [I]generally[/I] do exactly what they say on the tin, not more or less. Nothing stops you from changing the rules to suit your table though. [/QUOTE]

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