D&D 5E (2014) Wall of Force options

[Clint_L]

Okay, a Wizard casts Wall of Force to defend himself from attack, creating a dome over his location. What spells from the published materials can he use against an enemy located outside of the dome? I just need a solid list of standard options.

It's intentionally written to prevent this sort of use, for good reason. It's possible someone could find ways around it by parsing RAW very carefully, but as a DM I would probably rule against it, because it would likely create a broken situation and is likely players trying to metagame and pull off shenanigans. Have to see the context, though.

The sacred flame exception would be very hard to pull off and not very powerful, so that would be okay. Maybe a multi-class cleric 10/Wizard 9/10 could get away with a Divine Intervention while in the force dome, and the deity could attack the target? If they could make that roll, I'd let 'em have it!

 

[MNblockhead]

A bit off topic, but based on the discussion so far, how would y'all rule about the magic item Cube of Force. Since face 5 states "spell effects can't pass through the barrier", many may be tempted to read that as a caster being able to sling spells if faces 1-4 are activate (face 6 is "nothing can pass through"). But given the clear path rule, is that reading incorrect? Does this just apply to area of effect spells cast by casters outside the cube of force targeting an area just outside the cube of force?

Either way, I find Cube of Force to way too potentially game changing to only be "rare".

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Moonbeam, Flaming Sphere. Need to find a way round the concentration issue though.

 

[Stalker0]

Either way, I find Cube of Force to way to potentially game changing to only be "rare".

I agree, it’s way too strong for rare, very rare at minimum, I can even respect the case for legendary. There are just way too many ways to turn off hold swathes of combat encounters with it

 

[Hussar]

I find the bigger problem is that the wizard englobes the baddie inside the wall of force and then the rest of the party drops psychic spells on the target. Does that work?

Another issue I've had is they've summoned stuff around the baddie, then dropped the wall of force to keep it inside with the summoned stuff.

 

[Storyteller Hero]

A damaging ranged/AoE spell plus a fragile ceiling to cave in heavy material over the dome, making the dome an effective trap for the domed mage unless they can teleport out, phase through the rubble, dig themselves a tunnel, etc. --- it's a gamble but if the domed mage didn't prepare the right spells, they're potentially doomed the moment the Wall of Force ends.

 

[Clint_L]

I find the bigger problem is that the wizard englobes the baddie inside the wall of force and then the rest of the party drops psychic spells on the target. Does that work?

Another issue I've had is they've summoned stuff around the baddie, then dropped the wall of force to keep it inside with the summoned stuff.

Option 1 would depend on the wording of the specific spells, but Wall of Force is designed to make that tactic difficult. Without going through every spell, my suspicion is that the party would be out of luck.

Option 2 would definitely work though, and would be hilarious.

There are definitely tons of ways to use Wall of Force offensively (I like the cave-in strategy above). It is just designed to prevent the lazy tactic of being able to sit inside it and pew pew with impunity.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Option 1 would depend on the wording of the specific spells, but Wall of Force is designed to make that tactic difficult. Without going through every spell, my suspicion is that the party would be out of luck.

There are quite a few summonish spells that say nothing about "seeing" the target location. The only drawback is they are (so far as I can find) all concentration. But if we are not talking about the wizard who is concetrating on the wall, then they can be used by either side.

 

[Clint_L]

There are quite a few summonish spells that say nothing about "seeing" the target location. The only drawback is they are (so far as I can find) all concentration. But if we are not talking about the wizard who is concetrating on the wall, then they can be used by either side.

He asked abut dropping "psychic spells" on the target.

Edit: though thinking more about it, I don't think you can summon inside a Wall of Force once it is up. It counts as "total cover," and the rules on total cover are clear: unless the spell description specifically stipulates otherwise, you cannot cast a spell targeting something behind total cover. In this case, they would be trying to target a summoning spell behind total cover. It would be like trying to cast it into a closed building from outside.

I think Wall of Force confuses people because it is transparent, but it is nevertheless intended to act as total cover and block targeting, and the designers have been clear about that (c.f. Jeremy Crawford's comments re. Wall of Force and Sacred Flame).

I took option 2, above, to be about summoning something first and place the Wall of Force around it and the target second, which is totally legitimate and clever, as far as I can see.

Edit 2: I think Wall of Force in general creates a lot of situations that may be counterintuitive, so this spell is a prime candidate for a DM setting aside RAW and doing what feels right in the story. I think it is clear that the intent of the spell is to stop almost anything getting through it, but whether or not you include spells that seem to start from inside it, like a summon spell, is reasonably up to DM discretion and I can't see most players having a problem with the ruling either way.

 

[jgsugden]

I agree, it’s way too strong for rare, very rare at minimum, I can even respect the case for legendary. There are just way too many ways to turn off hold swathes of combat encounters with it

It is a high risk tool. The fighter in one of the games I run is using it and using it well. They often make it so that creatures can't pass through it, but spells and objects can ... and that proved to be a problem when they were knocked unconcious and the only healer nearby could only heal with a touch. Even unconcious, the cube stayed up and forced him to roll the dice on death saves.

It is a powerful tool, and as such will be iconic for the user. It will make them feel powerful - but that power comes with a risk.