D&D 5E Touching and Taking Damage

[beaumontsebos]

Using an Azer for example.

It says: Heated Body: A creature that touches the Azer or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes fire damage.

Does this mean the creature has to willingly reach out and touch the Azer? Or would it apply to things like the Azer having a creature in a grapple? The creature wouldn't be doing the action of touching the Azer but they are physically touching.

Thoughts?

 

[CAFRedblade]

Using an Azer for example.

It says: Heated Body: A creature that touches the Azer or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes fire damage.

Does this mean the creature has to willingly reach out and touch the Azer? Or would it apply to things like the Azer having a creature in a grapple? The creature wouldn't be doing the action of touching the Azer but they are physically touching.

Thoughts?

Doesn't matter if the fire touches you or you touch the fire, you get burned. If you grapple, or the Azer grapples you, the fire damage takes place.
If you stand 5 ft apart and just talk, there is no contact, and thus no damage. Think of the fire from an Azer as a little like an Aura surrounding the creature, you have to pass through
the aura to strike the creature. And his aura envelops you when he strikes back.

 

[beaumontsebos]

Yes, That's how I interpret it too.

 

[guachi]

I'd have no problem if a DM rules as [MENTION=34503]CAFRedblade[/MENTION] describes. He even provides the kind of example (grappling) that would not only be likely to occur but could be used to make reasonable rulings that the players wouldn't find inconsistent.

 

[Harzel]

If you stand 5 ft apart and just talk, there is no contact, and thus no damage.

But you should think twice about shaking hands.

 

[Rhenny]

Those fiery buggers can grapple and damage at the same time...great action for them to use, especially against the less armored foes - wizards be warned.