D&D 5E (2014) Wall of Force and spells

[Lanefan]

Here's another example: ever been on a ferry? What happens when they hit the dock, even though at that point they are going as slow as possible? There is so much energy released that the ferry bounces back, and the dock has to be designed to do likewise or it would be quickly destroyed.

Now there speaks someone who lives on Vancouver Island!

(for those unaware, ferries rule our lives around here)

 

[greg kaye]

I've made this exact ruling for Rings of Free Action, such that falling out of a boat is like falling out of a plane.

As far as the Freedom of Movement spell is concerned the effect describes that "being underwater imposes no penalties on the target’s movement or attacks". But they are given the penalty that they are denied the freedom from gravity that swimming normally affords.

 

[greg kaye]

When they hit the flat side, yes. It's clear the designers only thought of that part and didn't really bother to consider what happens if something runs into the wall edge-on.

I was replying to:

The Wall of Force is a field effect that absorbs energy, not a solid object. When something hits it, it's kinetic energy is absorbed, so it simply stops dead. It is not cut or damaged in any way.

and yes, I think,

Things hitting the wall certainly stop dead, but I'd think that this is because they hit a wall.

and agree that this would happen if the things hit either the flat or the edge of the wall. I just don't agree, in a context of a significant impact, that "It is not cut or damaged in any way."

 

[Hussar]

It’s discussions like this that really make me hate casters.

 

[Pentallion]

Again, the argument is, you need to target Magic Missile, and by providing total cover, Wall of Force prevents that...

No. Because A: you can. see and B the spell says magical force, not physical force, therefore the wall is not an obstacle.
If the wall is not an obstacle to the spell total cover does not apply.
OP: firevall works because until it explodes it is a flash of light, thus wall is no obstacle and does not prevent rargeting as it gives no cover vs fireball

 

[James Gasik]

No. Because A: you can. see and B the spell says magical force, not physical force, therefore the wall is not an obstacle.
If the wall is not an obstacle to the spell total cover does not apply.
OP: firevall works because until it explodes it is a flash of light, thus wall is no obstacle and does not prevent rargeting as it gives no cover vs fireball

Well, except for this line in the spell description: Nothing can physically pass through the wall.

You can argue that magic missiles aren't physical, but then we have to define exactly what force damage is (and how the shield spell deflects them).

I shouldn't have used Wall of Force itself for the example (I was repeating what I'd seen others argue), but some other kind of invisible barrier.

 

[Chaltab]

Honestly Wall of Force doesn't need any help so I'd generally err on the side of whatever makes it less powerful.

One time I held a Wall of Force until a pirate ship was about to broadside ours and then cast an angled wall of force between their vessel and ours. Bounced the cannon balls right back onto the pirate ship.

 

[Maxperson]

No. Because A: you can. see and B the spell says magical force, not physical force, therefore the wall is not an obstacle.
If the wall is not an obstacle to the spell total cover does not apply.
OP: firevall works because until it explodes it is a flash of light, thus wall is no obstacle and does not prevent rargeting as it gives no cover vs fireball

Magical Force is physical, that's why Wall of Force blocks physical attacks and Forcecage keeps you in.