So rather than the player picking the point in the square, the DM says it is the whole square. Sure, that works - saves time for those effects centered on self and gives the spell a bit of extra reach. How about spells that are not centered on Self but on a point in range? Do you call a whole square a point for those spells?
If I were using a grid with everything locked to it- in other words, if for example a Medium pc couldn't be partially in multiple squares- I'd require the point to be at an intersection of grid lines, rather than in a square.
Chapter 10 (pg 204): "A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect". Sounds like the spellcasting chapter treats creatures, objects, and points of origin as different things.
when the spell doesn't target a creature or object that ocupies a space, normally you target a point between squares...
Miscounted my chapters. It is, in fact, chapter 10.
Ok, what text?
Page 204.
So an AOE spell that targets a point in range and has a radius of 15' (say, darkness) really has a radius of 15'.
I know that looks bad. I get your point. But those things get really messy when using a grid, and it's really hard to go around it. I prefer to go with ease of play rather than breaking squares in to halves, and calculating .5 ft (I'm brazillian, and already have to convert feet to meters in the middle of the game.)
Bam - nice. I'm on board. I just need to get over the literal definition of radius as it pertains to self-centered spells.
this is exactly why I thought the AOE should be 5x5 squares on a grid. Obviously the DM has the final call, so i'll let him decide.
It works fine. I've built my current character around using it, since it's very powerful when you upcast it (gaining 1d8 per level). It's primary benefit is for dealing with mooks/minions, since it's an AoE. While chip damage against the bbeg and other powerful enemies is nice, it doesn't compare to what most other classes can do.
You ain't kidding! Until level 8, my mountain dwarf cleric regularly took the dodge action after casting it. I immediately became #1 aggro, despite the wizard blowing stuff up and the barbarian in the bbeg's face. Once I got to level 8 I took Resilience: Constitution so I could only fail the minimum concentration save on a 1 (at level 9 I could no longer fail it). After that I could spend my action healing myself as needed. I've lost concentration due to unconsciousness/dying more than any other reason.
Yeah, this works well in things like the Paladin's Aura of Protection, which affects friendly creatures "within 10 feet of you" (or 30 feet at higher levels).
If you're using a grid and say that the point of origin is only a point within the square, then the edge of the effect ends up filling half a square at the edge of the AOE since we're using round numbers (start in a half square, end in a half square), which is messy but generally effects targets in the last square anyway. Making the radius 32.5 (the whole square is the center) doesn't change who you get hit and is much easier to adjudicate.
Usually. But it's worth bearing in mind as both DM and player that you only get to designate those who are immune to it when you first cast it, and you have to be able to see them at the time. This can cause issues with things like:
Can you point to the examples you are seeing of this situation?
