D&D (2024) Playtest 8 Spell Discussion

[Yaarel]

The existence of counterspell, automatically knowing if a spell is cast within 30 feet of you, and the existence of subtle spell say that you are wrong with this. Verbal and somatic are very noticeable without specific means to avoid like subtle spell and the aberrant mind sorcerer.

Yes it is, but not by volume. At least not by volume low enough to step on the toes of the sorcerer and counterspell like that.

By RAW, the voice needs to be loud enough to sustain music: "song" or "chant". So, it cant be a whisper. There is a minimum volume. But it can be quiet. You can hear someone humming quietly within 30 feet. Especially so, if someone is on the lookout for a spellcaster. But more than that, or behind closed, doors it becomes inaudible.

 

[Maxperson]

By RAW, the voice needs to be loud enough to sustain music: "song" or "chant". So, it cant be a whisper. There is a minimum volume. But it can be quiet. You can hear someone humming within 30 feet. Especially so, if someone is on the lookout for a spellcaster. But more than that, or behind closed doors it becomes inaudible.

It needs to be hearable in combat where combatants are yelling and sword, shield and armor are clanging against each other.

 

[Yaarel]

It needs to be hearable in combat where combatants are yelling and sword, shield and armor are clanging against each other.

Only the spellcaster oneself needs to hear it, as part of the spellcast. Most spells dont require an audience.

 

[Maxperson]

Only the spellcaster oneself needs to hear it, as part of the spellcast. Most spells dont require an audience.

This is wrong, since it's automatically noticeable to counterspell casters who are 30 feet away.

 

[James Gasik]

This is wrong, since it's automatically noticeable to counterspell casters who are 30 feet away.

Counterspell's trigger has nothing to do with hearing a spell being cast.

• Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell

 

[Leatherhead]

Counterspell's trigger has nothing to do with hearing a spell being cast.

• Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell

If you see a creature casting Power Word Kill, how would you know they are casting a spell unless you were able to hear them at the same time as their casting?

 

[Maxperson]

If you see a creature casting Power Word Kill, how would you know they are casting a spell unless you were able to hear them at the same time as their casting?

Yep. In order to see a person casting a verbal only spell, it must be hearable at 60 feet. Otherwise you can't tell what they are saying and can't counterspell it.

 

[James Gasik]

If you see a creature casting Power Word Kill, how would you know they are casting a spell unless you were able to hear them at the same time as their casting?

So are you saying that a deafened character cannot use Counterspell?

 

[Leatherhead]

So are you saying that a deafened character cannot use Counterspell?

How, exactly, do you identify a creature casting a spell?

 

[James Gasik]

How, exactly, do you identify a creature casting a spell?

Identify that they are casting a spell, or identifying the spell in question? I assume you mean the former, but those are two different things.

D&D doesn't have facing, so unless the DM rules you're distracted, you can see someone performing Somatic components or fiddling around with Material components or a focus.

The Deafened condition doesn't say a word about not being able to recognize spellcasting. I'm not saying a DM can't rule that it does, but it's adding restrictions that aren't there.

By the book, counterspell requires sight, not hearing. An unheard verbal component would only prevent counterspelling if the only component the spell has is V. Just like how Subtle Spell won't protect you from being counterspelled if you still have a material component.

Quote from Jeremy Crawford: Subtle Spell is meant to protect a spell w/o material components from counterspell, since you can't see the casting.