D&D 5E What's the point of Giant Insect?

[Paul Farquhar]

You could allow transmutation wizard to get it - I believe they did in earlier editions.

 

[Undrave]

You could allow transmutation wizard to get it - I believe they did in earlier editions.

Gotta wonder what is the design decision between not giving it to them then.

 

[Ashrym]

It's not a wizard spell because of the nature theme, just like wizards don't get earthquake. Diviners don't get every divination spell that exists either. ;-)

The design decision is that (even though they do get a lot) wizards don't get everything.

 

[Gadget]

I believe the spell has always been a cleric/druid spell, so that is why the wizard does not get access. Also, it technically does not summon the creatures, merely enhances those that are already present. This seemed to fit into the nature themed Druid spell list back in the day; plus wizards had plenty of other summoning spells to keep them going back then.

 

[aco175]

I thought a hoard of rabbits was called a fluffle, like a crash of rhinos or a murder or crows. I want my wish back.

 

[Tony Vargas]

It's also about the worst named spell, since centipedes, spiders and scorpions are not insects.

In the pre-Linnaean 'Great Chain of Being' credited by the learned of the middle ages, spiders & scorpions were insects.
Given how anachronistic D&D spell names & descriptions are everywhere else, though, I'd consider that a happy accident.

I think the 3e convention of /Vermin/ was pretty a pretty reasonable alternative.

 

[MarkB]

If you use Wish In Baldur's Gate 2 and wish for "a hoard" you get a hoard of rabbits.

Well, that's just poor spelling. You'd think a Wish spell would be able to tell the difference between "hoard" and "horde".

 

[Ashrym]

Well, that's just poor spelling. You'd think a Wish spell would be able to tell the difference between "hoard" and "horde".

Because of the inflection on the "e" vs the "a"?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Well, that's just poor spelling. You'd think a Wish spell would be able to tell the difference between "hoard" and "horde".

Poor spelling is probably my fault, I'm dyslexic.

And phonetically, with my Lancashire accent, both words are exact homophones.