D&D 5E Questions concerning the suggestion spell

[Kristian Aanestad]

Hi

I have a question concerning the use of the suggestion spell in combat.

Our bard used suggestion on an enemy to stop it from continuing its attack on the party. There were two other players to act before the giant. The question is: will the giant react immediately after the spell? Or will the other to have to act before we get the result of the spell, and therefore probably damaging the giant and canceling the effect of the spell?

 

[jaelis]

The bard would know if the spell worked, and could simply tell the other pcs not to attack.

 

[alienux]

Hi

I have a question concerning the use of the suggestion spell in combat.

Our bard used suggestion on an enemy to stop it from continuing its attack on the party. There were two other players to act before the giant. The question is: will the giant react immediately after the spell? Or will the other to have to act before we get the result of the spell, and therefore probably damaging the giant and canceling the effect of the spell?

The giant's check to see if he's affected by the suggestion spell is not his action for that round. It's just a saving throw he makes in response to the bard's action. He would still have his action to use when it get's to his turn if you're still in initiative.

 

[Jester David]

I assume you're asking if there would be some obvious sign of enchantment and the suggestion taking hold.

There are no hard rules for that. You might decide that there's a visual effect to the spell: a magical nimbus surrounds the bard followed by a matching glow that coalesces over the head before fadeding, accompanied by a flash of colour around the target's eyes. Or the glow shatters and ruptures if the saving throw is successful and the target repels the magic. Alternatively, spellcasting could be subtle affair with a change in temperature and slight blowing wind.

You could also have the character make an insight check to determine if the creature made their save or not.

 

[jgsugden]

The way I'd handle it:

* Spell is cast.
* Giant fails the save. Per PHB, the giant doesn't automatically know it has been ensorcelled. I have it make an arcana check it will likely fail to recognize the spell.
* If it fails or it succeeds, the giant immediately begins to comply with the spell. This does not manifest in any actions, yet, because the monster cannot act outside of its turn (other than to react using a reaction), but that doesn't mean there is no visible evidence to show his complying with the spell. The DM might describe the monster stopping the swinging of his weapon or otherwise disengaging.
* By the time the combatant after the spellcaster goes, the change in the giant would be evident and they could evaluate what to do. However, whether they recognize it has been ensorcelled is another matter - are they familiar with the spell and spellcaster? Did they see the spellcaster casting? If they do not realize the spell has been cast, they may be left to assume the monster is under a spell or may come to another conclusion - I'll leave that up to the other players.

 

[Satyrn]

Hi

I have a question concerning the use of the suggestion spell in combat.

Our bard used suggestion on an enemy to stop it from continuing its attack on the party. There were two other players to act before the giant. The question is: will the giant react immediately after the spell? Or will the other to have to act before we get the result of the spell, and therefore probably damaging the giant and canceling the effect of the spell?

When I'm DMing this sort of thing, I'd flat out tell the players the giant failed the save.

If you don't want to make it clear to your players, that's fine, too. Just tell them they'll have to wait until the giant's turn to find out. Then let your players choose whether to attack or not while they wait. I just want to make clear, though, that if you do something like this, I highly advise that you never tell the your players that they have to attack.

 

[thethain]

I try not to hide things from players, in this case the bard would know instantly (as it requires concentration) and that info should be relayed to other players.

As far as the giant not showing signs until his turn. You have to remember that turns are abstractions, while it is not your turn you could very well be adjusting your position in your space, changing your grip, saying things, or facial expressions.

If the giant was attacking someone last round and was going to attack them next round, his mannerisms and movements would indicate he is recovering from a swing and bracing to make a new one. As soon as he was charmed to believe he should check and see if he left his oven on at his home, he would relax his grip and start to turn that direction (which wouldn't be any type of action requiring him to wait for his turn, but would be immediately apparent)

 

[Kristian Aanestad]

Hi again.

Thanks for helpful replies! So how I understand it is that is no hard rules concerning this, but since the spell requires concentration the spellcaster would know if it worked. If it would be another case and the the spell does not require concentration one will have to wait for the monsters turn, although it might be possible to see small changes in attitude/mannerism even before the monster`s turn.

Thanks again!