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Message: <blockquote data-quote="touc" data-source="post: 7922449" data-attributes="member: 19270">So I researched my position a bit more, and the unofficial Sage Advice is contradictory. Conclusion: you'll need to go with what works for your game. This question didn't make the official 2020 Sage Advice errata.Mike Mearls treats the Wall of Force like a pane of glass. If you can see through it, you can target through it.(references here)[spoiler]<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.sageadvice.eu/2017/10/25/does-wall-of-force-block-eyebite/" target="_blank">Mike Mearls Sage Advice 2017:</a> Does a Wall of Force block Eyebite? No, provided caster can see target through it. Target within range that you can see must make a save against your chosen effect. This sounds identical to Charm Person.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/10/07/wall-force-barrier/" target="_blank">Mike Mearls Sage Advice 2016: </a>Does not mess with targeting that requires line of sight (operates like a pane of glass).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.sageadvice.eu/2018/01/10/would-a-spell-like-mage-hand-work-through-a-wall-of-force/" target="_blank">Mike Mearls Sage Advice 2018</a>: Can you cast spells like Mage Hand (which manifest at a spot within range) beyond a Wall of Force?  Yes, so long as you can cast it to a spot you can see.</li> </ul>[/spoiler]Jeremy Crawford claims the Wall of Force provides total cover, even if invisible. Ergo, the rules on total cover say spells cannot target creatures with total cover. This is the "clear path" argument. He would allow teleportation because it requires only you see your destination. BUT, there is nothing in the Wall of Force description that says it provides total cover, so I don't know where he got this from.(references here)[spoiler]<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/05/30/wall-of-force-is-invisible-so-it-doesnt-provide-cover-does-it/" target="_blank">Wall of Force provides total cover, even if that cover is invisible.</a> However, some spells specifically say you only need to see your destination (e.g. Misty Step) for it to work.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Per his tweets, referenced above, <a href="https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/04/09/targeting-spellsclear-path-can-i-target-across-wall-of-force/" target="_blank">he considers it a targeting issue. </a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Ergo, you couldn't target a creature, even if you could see the creature, <a href="https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/05/21/does-a-wall-of-force-prevent-you-from-targeting-a-creature-on-the-other-side-with-a-spell-like-hold-person/" target="_blank">with Hold Person because the PHB (p204) says spells cannot target creatures behind total cover.</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A pane of glass wouldn't matter. He says <a href="https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/12/30/is-a-glass-window-considered-a-total-cover/" target="_blank">a closed window would provide total cover for targeting purposes, even if you could see the target</a>.</li> </ul>[/spoiler]Crawford's position, even if without textual support, matches the 3rd edition Wall of Force, which specifically said "spells cannot pass through the wall" though teleportation spells like dimension door bypass the wall (so they don't go through it). The AD&D version was nearly the same: no spells could pass through. Notably, though, the D&D 5E version chose not to use this language and instead changed it to "nothing physical."Ultimately, the Sage Advice 2019 release didn't address this question. I think the choice to reject the 3rd edition and AD&D version that the Wall blocks ALL spells must be given meaning.Further, there is no textual support for Crawford's unofficial stance that an invisible wall prevents targeting or that a pane of glass prevents targeting. His entire stance is based off transparent objects providing "total cover," as if all spells were like arrows. But, arrows are physical, must travel from A to B to be effective. Spells don't work that way.Personally, I'd rely on spell descriptions to make the call and treat the Wall of Force like a pane of glass. If a physical effect originates from you, like fireball or scorching ray, then it smacks against the wall, no effect. But if I can see it, I can target it. If the effect manifests at the point I say it manifests, then the Wall doesn't stop it.</blockquote>

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