D&D 5E Wish and the requirement removal

[Maxperson]

You can cast fireball without choosing a point; it'll just go somewhere random in its range. If a player says "I want to cast fireball at nowhere, in order to waste my spellslot?" I'll ask them to show me where nowhere is.

This is wrong. From page 204 of the PHB: "A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell’s magic. A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below)."

As you can see, you cannot cast a spell without picking the point of detonation. RAW makes it a requirement.

Just in case you need more, page 202 of the PHB says: "The target of a spell must be within the spell’s range. For a spell like magic missile, the target is a creature. For a spell like fireball, the target is the point in space where the ball of fire erupts."

5e is not a game where RAW allows you to just cast spells and hope. There are requirements you must follow the targeting rules, which means, unfortunately, that you cannot magic missile the darkness.

Now, personally I would(and have) change things so that it works as you describe and allow a fireball to just go, but RAW does not allow that.

- If the caster aims the spell at a location where nothing is, it misses.

Only for a spell like fireball where you can pick a point in space. If you have to target an object or creature, you are not allowed to aim at a location where nothing is.

 

[FarBeyondC]

This is wrong. From page 204 of the PHB: "A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell’s magic. A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below)."

As you can see, you cannot cast a spell without picking the point of detonation. RAW makes it a requirement.

Just in case you need more, page 202 of the PHB says: "The target of a spell must be within the spell’s range. For a spell like magic missile, the target is a creature. For a spell like fireball, the target is the point in space where the ball of fire erupts."

5e is not a game where RAW allows you to just cast spells and hope. There are requirements you must follow the targeting rules, which means, unfortunately, that you cannot magic missile the darkness.

Now, personally I would(and have) change things so that it works as you describe and allow a fireball to just go, but RAW does not allow that.

All of that is part of resolving the spell, and not a requirement to cast the spell. Otherwise, I don't have a problem with what you wrote.

Only for a spell like fireball where you can pick a point in space. If you have to target an object or creature, you are not allowed to aim at a location where nothing is.

Player's Handbook page 194-195 disagrees with you, as far as not being allowed to aim at a location where nothing is.

When you attack a target that you cant see, you have disadvantage on the attack roll. This is true whether you're guessing the target's location or you're targeting a creature you can hear but not see. If the target isn't in the location you targeted, you automatically miss, but the DM typically just says that the attack missed, not whether you guessed the target's location correctly.

 

[MarkB]

Just because it's been mentioned a few times, casting time isn't actually something that needs to be overcome as a requirement, because it already gets overcome by the nature of the Wish spell. You are using the spell to duplicate another spell, but Wish has a casting time of one action, regardless of the effect you are choosing to create with it.

 

[Asisreo]

All of that is part of resolving the spell, and not a requirement to cast the spell. Otherwise, I don't have a problem with what you wrote.



Player's Handbook page 194-195 disagrees with you, as far as not being allowed to aim at a location where nothing is.

That's if your target is not in the location you thought, not if you don't choose a target. You can't really miss "a point in space" like fireball. And you are still required to choose a target. That's only the case where your target isn't in a location you guessed.

So you can miss your target, you just can't refuse to choose a target

 

[Maxperson]

All of that is part of resolving the spell, and not a requirement to cast the spell. Otherwise, I don't have a problem with what you wrote.

It literally says you are required to pick a target. Failure to pick a target = failure to cast the spell. That makes targeting a requirement to cast the spell.

Player's Handbook page 194-195 disagrees with you, as far as not being allowed to aim at a location where nothing is.

No it doesn't. You can attack with a weapon a guessed location. You cannot if you are using a spell that requires targeting. Or you can target a creature that you know is present and invisible with disadvantage. Nothing on that page contradicts the portions I quoted.

 

[jaelis]

No it doesn't. You can attack with a weapon a guessed location. You cannot if you are using a spell that requires targeting. Or you can target a creature that you know is present and invisible with disadvantage. Nothing on that page contradicts the portions I quoted.

What would you say happens then if the wizard suspects that an invisible creature is in a space and tries to cast firebolt at it, but the creature is not there?

 

[Maxperson]

What would you say happens then if the wizard suspects that an invisible creature is in a space and tries to cast firebolt at it, but the creature is not there?

By RAW the spell fails. Nothing happens.

 

[Lanefan]

It literally says you are required to pick a target. Failure to pick a target = failure to cast the spell. That makes targeting a requirement to cast the spell.

No it doesn't. You can attack with a weapon a guessed location. You cannot if you are using a spell that requires targeting.

Which is a flaw in the rules, then, as you've already pointed out; so why bother defending it?

But here's another question: could you incorporate into a 5e Wish a clause that would make the effect unerringly or automatically hit the intended target, if there was a chance it otherwise might not? (e.g. you know there's an invisible creature in the room somewhere but have no idea where)

 

[jaelis]

By RAW the spell fails. Nothing happens.

Like, the slot is expended and the action wasted, to no effect? Or like the DM says "you are unable to cast the spell, you'll have to do something else?"

 

[Lanefan]

Like, the slot is expended and the action wasted, to no effect? Or like the DM says "you are unable to cast the spell, you'll have to do something else?"

The former, I'm guessing, as you're committed to casting Wish as soon as the words "I wish..." are spoken.