D&D 5E (2014) Ranged aoe spell in melee

[Aemon Crane]

Question: A fighter is in melee with an evocation wizard. Wizard uses a wand casting fireball at his feet. Does the fighter get advantage on Dex save? The wizard takes no damage correct?

 

[MerricB]

Both the fighter and wizard take damage. The fighter does not have advantage on his save.

At 2nd level, an evocation wizard can sculpt spell to automatically cause some of their allies to make saving throws against the fireball (for no damage), but cannot choose himself to be included in the immunity.

Cheers!

 

[Aemon Crane]

Thanks for replying. I had a feeling we were doing to wizard not taking damage wrong.

 

[Aemon Crane]

The consensus from our group is that per the way it's worded the wizard can target himself, I agree that he wouldn't be able to.

 

[Smoo]

If a wizard can sculpt a spell to exclude his allies then surely he can also sculpt the same spell to exclude himself. Seems silly to make that distinction.

Now, I find it silly that a wizard can sculpt a spell in the first place. The inherent danger of the blast spell is part of their fun. But if you're going to allow sculpting then this fiddly exclusion of the wizard himself seems unjustified.