D&D (2024) Line of sight ruling

[EzekielRaiden]

So can you Misty Step through a closed window?

Per Crawford, yes, because the target of misty step is not the location you teleport to, it is yourself. If you desire a concrete visualization, think of it as a three step process:
The misty step spell targets you, making you incorporeal or whatever it is that teleport spells do to allow dematerialization
You move, instantly, to the location you want to be (while the spell's energy is still active)
The spell's energy fades, and you return to the mortal plane.

 

[occam]

It specifically says "a clear path to the target". A closed window does not allow a clear path, and does (by 5e rules) provide "total cover". Likewise, a wall of force provides total cover (hence the issue with "wait, can you hide behind a wall of force????") Yes, you can see through it. It's still total cover.

Is it? The spell description of Wall of Force doesn't mention that it provides Total Cover. And is there an actual statement that a clear pane of glass provides Cover? I'd appreciate a reference if there is one.

I'm not sure that glass provides Cover of any kind. Saying that nothing can physically pass through a Wall of Force isn't necessarily the same as saying that it provides Total Cover. The definition of Total Cover is that it's something which prevents anything behind it from being directly targeted. Is the argument that you couldn't even try to shoot someone behind a closed window with a Crossbow, or a Musket? That doesn't sound like a reasonable argument to me.

 

[SkidAce]

There wouldn't be any problem if they had just used the military definition of cover and concealment.

Cover: I have protection.
Concealment: They cant see me.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

There wouldn't be any problem if they had just used the military definition of cover and concealment.

Cover: I have protection.
Concealment: They cant see me.

View attachment 405522

But that would be doing things the way The Edition That Must Not Be Named did it!

 

[jasper]

I noticed this ruling in the latest Sage Advice:

The Frightened condition says “while the source of its fear is within line of sight.” Does that mean you have Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks even if the source is imperceptible but you have a clear line to its space?​

No. If you can’t see something, it’s not within your line of sight. Speaking of “line of sight,” the game uses the English meaning of the term, which has no special meaning in the rules.

Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/sae/sage-advice-compendium#SAC-Adventuring9


Now, here's part of the text of the Fear spell:
A Frightened creature takes the Dash action and moves away from you by the safest route on each of its turns unless there is nowhere to move. If the creature ends its turn in a space where it doesn’t have line of sight to you, the creature makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a successful save, the spell ends on that creature.


Does this mean all the frightened target has to do is look away from the caster or close its eyes at the end of its turn and it can make the saving throw?

Hey that is cheesy. The weave turns you into a block of cheese for 6 rounds. let us not get into that bs play.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I believe this Sage Advice refers to core rules, because Line of Sight is defined in optional rules for Miniatures in the Dungeon Master Guide, which i use to determine line of sight.

I basically rule you don't have line of sight through Heavily Obscured areas or when one can't see as a result of being Invisible or Blinded for example.

To the question of closing your eyes, i don't think it's defined in the rules, and even Monsters such as the Basilisk or Medusa that previously had option to avert your eyes from their Petrifying Gaze no longer do. A DM can always houserule closing your eyes on your turn impose the Blinded condition until the start of your next turn or something to avoid being affected by such effects, but i prefer to not use that and let it happen, both for PC Monsters and NPC.

Miniatures​

Often, players can rely on your descriptions to imagine where their characters are in relation to their surroundings and their enemies. Certain combat encounters, however, can benefit from having visual aids or physical props, the most common of which are miniatures and a battle grid. Miniatures are typically used in conjunction with model terrain, modular dungeon tiles, or maps drawn on large vinyl mats. Most virtual tabletops for online play simulate miniatures and grids in a digital environment.

The following sections expand on the rules in the Player's Handbook for depicting combat using miniature figures on a grid.

Line of Sight​

To determine whether there is line of sight between two spaces, pick a corner of one space and trace an imaginary line from that corner to any part of another space. If you can trace a line that doesn't pass through or touch an object or effect that blocks vision—such as a stone wall, a thick curtain, or a dense cloud of fog—then there is line of sight.

 

[Laurefindel]

Does this mean all the frightened target has to do is look away from the caster or close its eyes at the end of its turn and it can make the saving throw?

So that’s why you can’t see the frightened ostrich when it puts its head in the sand!

Whoa, I didn’t expect D&D rules to be so realistic!