D&D 5E Heat Metal Spell. Unfair to Heavy Armor Wearers?

[Reynard]

Not sure why a whataboutism is called for here? Whether or not another spell is fair or not isn't really relevant to whether this spell is fair or not, right? But hey, start a thread about fireball if you really want answers to that.

It's the same question: is it "unfair" for the GM to use abilities, spells, monsters or other game elements that are particularly effective against specific PC types or builds, especially if those types or builds are among your players' characters? That is a worthwhile discussion and not limited to heat metal.

 

[Mistwell]

It's the same question: is it "unfair" for the GM to use abilities, spells, monsters or other game elements that are particularly effective against specific PC types or builds, especially if those types or builds are among your players' characters? That is a worthwhile discussion and not limited to heat metal.

I guess if it's a worthwhile discussion people will discuss it?

 

[DND_Reborn]

Interesting thought: heat metal at 9th level, then teleport (or whatever) away. 9d8 fire damage, no save, every round for 10 rounds as a bonus action: avg of 405 damage... and no further risk to the caster...

 

[cbwjm]

I think the spell is fine, normally I see it used by the PCs since I don't often have druids as the bad guys. The spell is concentration so it can be disrupted, people have already suggested some ways to mitigate the damage, submerging in water if there's some nearby works, even if people don't have it cancel the spell completely I believe it still grants resistance to fire damage.

 

[Baron Opal II]

That would be painful. However, if you're dealing with a druid of that level I would expect the party to have some remedy for the spell.

Because I am assuming that the target, fighter or otherwise, would not be alone.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I let characters cut the straps holding their armor as one Action. Of course the armor is then unusable and would require some maintenance to be used again...but its better than being slow-cooked to death.

 

[overgeeked]

Not surprising this thread’s gotten a little...heated.



(I'll see myself out.)

 

[LordEntrails]

Heat Metal is an awesome spell! It is well balanced because yes, it can do great damage over time, but it is easily countered with magic or creativity. It can inspire unusual tactics. It's effectiveness is situational, (but again, can always be easily countered).

If the PC's party doesn't focus fire the caster of heat metal, to at least break concentration, if not outright kill the caster, then they deserve to lose their party member.

Agreed.

A level 20 Fighter with his +3 adamantine Plate armor can get clowned on by a level 3 druid, might even die against 3-4 of them. I'd say it's definitely unfair, at least most magic needs to be higher level to make a Fighter useless with no counter.

For every situation like this there is at least one counter. And any 20th level character that can't either kill at least one 3rd level druid per round or counter heat metal deserves to time a stupid death (which 90HP won't do anyway).

With 60 feet range, melee is unlikely

Action Surge.

There's obviously situations where he can handle it, but, say, a Moon Druid casting it from 60 feet away, then turning into a Giant Badger and burrowing 10 feet underground immediately,

Again for every scenario their is at least one counter to the situation. At least one.

 

[LordEntrails]

I let characters cut the straps holding their armor as one Action. Of course the armor is then unusable and would require some maintenance to be used again...but its better than being slow-cooked to death.

Mending. It's a cantrip right?

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Mending. It's a cantrip right?

Yep. It would work, but its too long to use it in combat efficiently. And it may require more than one casting since it repairs a single broken strap, tear or hole per minute. But if it can save your life, its worth the small investment.