Please help! Hitting an underwater target with magic missile

[TerraDave]

Say a wizard/sorcerer on land can see someone underwater. Can they hit them with magic missile for normal damage.

 

[shilsen]

Yes. Magical effects in that situation are unaffected, unless they have an attack roll or are fire-based. It's covered in the DMG under Aquatic Terrain (pg.93).

 

[captaincursor]

I dunno. The Mythbusters showed that a .50 cal bullet disintegrated within three feet of entering the water when you shot someone. I think they'd need to do some more tests with force effects.

 

[TerraDave]

I guess that is why it is a "magic" missile.

Shilsen: thanks!

 

[mvincent]

I dunno. The Mythbusters showed that a .50 cal bullet disintegrated within three feet of entering the water when you shot someone.

Well, D&D does say that:
"A completely submerged creature has total cover against opponents on land"

 

[Infiniti2000]

Well, D&D does say that:
"A completely submerged creature has total cover against opponents on land"

True, but it also says: "Magical effects are unaffected except for those that require attack rolls (which are treated like any other effects) and fire effects." As powerful as it is, the .50 cal rifle is not magical.

 

[green slime]

Not many natural places have clear water. Usually there is all sorts of material suspended in the water, blurring, obscuring sight. Swimming pools are constantly filtered, or you wouldn't see much in them at all...

The air-water boundry bends light as it passes through it. Is this equivalent to an illusionary effect, or does the missile follow the path of the light?

Personally, I'd prefer magic missiles not penetrate the surface of the water. But that's just me. I really, really detest how the DnD 3.x RAW have dealt with underwater scenarios.

 

[shilsen]

The air-water boundry bends light as it passes through it. Is this equivalent to an illusionary effect, or does the missile follow the path of the light?

Neither. As long as you can see someone (i.e. not total concealment) and have line of effect to them, the magic missiles hit them unerringly.

 

[green slime]

Neither. As long as you can see someone (i.e. not total concealment) and have line of effect to them, the magic missiles hit them unerringly.

But are you really seeing them? Can you shoot magic missiles unerringly at someone because you see their reflection in a mirror?

 

[rgard]

But are you really seeing them? Can you shoot magic missiles unerringly at someone because you see their reflection in a mirror?

Good point. Shooting from the air into the water, is that reflected or refracted light? I forget 6th grade science.

I'd still let the mm hit as long as the caster can see the target.

Thanks,
Rich