Ice Storm duration (PHB p.163)

[enlightened]

The 9th level Daily Wizard attack Ice Storm.


It says it creates a zone of ice that lasts "unitl the end of the encounter or 5 minutes". Does that mean which ever is shorter? Which ever is longer? Or which ever the caster chooses (meaning it could be different from time to time)?

The party wizard used it and under the circumstances it would have been logical for the monsters to have tried to wait it out (the monsters were highly intelligent and under no time constraints), but we had a debate over whether it would ever actually end because as long as the monsters are there the encounter isn't over.

 

[Kordeth]

The 9th level Daily Wizard attack Ice Storm.


It says it creates a zone of ice that lasts "unitl the end of the encounter or 5 minutes". Does that mean which ever is shorter? Which ever is longer? Or which ever the caster chooses (meaning it could be different from time to time)?

In combat, it lasts till the end of the encounter. Out of combat, it lasts 5 minutes.

The party wizard used it and under the circumstances it would have been logical for the monsters to have tried to wait it out (the monsters were highly intelligent and under no time constraints), but we had a debate over whether it would ever actually end because as long as the monsters are there the encounter isn't over.

If the monsters aren't engaging you and you aren't engaging the monsters, there's no encounter going on.

 

[enlightened]

In combat, it lasts till the end of the encounter. Out of combat, it lasts 5 minutes.

So, if combat lasts for more than five minutes (for what ever unlikely reason) then so does the power?

If the monsters aren't engaging you and you aren't engaging the monsters, there's no encounter going on.

Hmmm.....

There could be some wonkiness in there.

So if no body attacks any one for one round does the power end? Probably not.

How long then do the two groups need to not have engaged each other for the power to drop?

Imagine that you fight for a few rounds and then you pull back to a defensible position, set up the Ice Storm in a strategic place so that you could attack them as they are struggling to get through it. If the monsters understand your ploy and don't immediately come through but choose to wait the spell out, what happens?

Does the spell drop after five minutes?

Or does it not drop until the monsters go away?

Or does it end immediately because no one is actively attacking anyone? Meaning the monsters could just wait a couple of rounds, the spell drops, and they could come in.

 

[Anthony Jackson]

It says it creates a zone of ice that lasts "unitl the end of the encounter or 5 minutes". Does that mean which ever is shorter? Which ever is longer? Or which ever the caster chooses (meaning it could be different from time to time)?

I believe the intent is that those two times should be considered equivalent. Just assume it always lasts 5 minutes.

 

[Hypersmurf]

"Until the end of the encounter" is defined on p278, under Duration:
The effect ends when you take a rest (short or extended) or after 5 minutes.

So when one of those three things happens:
1. You take a short rest;
2. You take an extended rest; or
3. 5 minutes passes;
... the effect ends.

If you and the hobgoblins run to opposite ends of the room and cower, you might not be fighting, but until you take a rest or 5 minutes is up, effects that last "until the end of the encounter" persist.

-Hyp.