If the DM states "there are 9 orcs and one of them is a wizard" then any PC can tell which one is a wizard since the DM has just provided them that information.
If the DM states "you see 9 orcs" then any PC can tell which orc is #1 and which is #2, etc. The PCs can not tell from the information provided what each orc is doing, how they look what they are wearing, etc.
If a player says that he targets "the biggest and baddst orc" in a group of 9 then it should generally require some sort of spot check to determine this information (or some other means available). This would be the same if the PC says "I target the spellcaster" in that group of orcs. Without being provided any additional information "spellcaster" is not a viable target.
If the player assumes one of the group of 9 orcs is the wizard in charge without further methods of identification that is also not a viable target.
But if there are 9 orcs in a row and the DM has stated that there are 9 orcs in a row (typcially by laying out figures) then any one of them is a viable target for a magic missile. Soft cover has no effect against a magic missile. Nor do you need to pick out details as if your were targeting strategic locations in fact you can't do that.
" Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out."
If the DM states "you see 9 orcs" then any PC can tell which orc is #1 and which is #2, etc. The PCs can not tell from the information provided what each orc is doing, how they look what they are wearing, etc.
If a player says that he targets "the biggest and baddst orc" in a group of 9 then it should generally require some sort of spot check to determine this information (or some other means available). This would be the same if the PC says "I target the spellcaster" in that group of orcs. Without being provided any additional information "spellcaster" is not a viable target.
If the player assumes one of the group of 9 orcs is the wizard in charge without further methods of identification that is also not a viable target.
But if there are 9 orcs in a row and the DM has stated that there are 9 orcs in a row (typcially by laying out figures) then any one of them is a viable target for a magic missile. Soft cover has no effect against a magic missile. Nor do you need to pick out details as if your were targeting strategic locations in fact you can't do that.
" Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out."
