Does the Ancestral Guardian barbarian's Ancestral Protectors feature grant resistance against spells such as...
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The Path of the Ancestral Guardian barbarian's Ancestral Protectors feature (XGtE, p. 10) says:
While you’re raging, the first creature you hit with an attack on your turn becomes the target of the warriors, which hinder its attacks. Until the start of your next turn, [...] when the target hits a creature other than you with an attack, that creature has resistance to the damage dealt by the attack.
Let's say the barbarian hits a wizard, and after the wizard casts a fireball into the party (or even a toll the dead on an individual besides the barbarian).
Do the party members get resistance to the damage? Or because it specifies "attack", and a fireball (and toll the dead) is not described as an attack, do they take full damage?
dnd-5e spells class-feature barbarian damage-resistance
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
add a comment |
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
The Path of the Ancestral Guardian barbarian's Ancestral Protectors feature (XGtE, p. 10) says:
While you’re raging, the first creature you hit with an attack on your turn becomes the target of the warriors, which hinder its attacks. Until the start of your next turn, [...] when the target hits a creature other than you with an attack, that creature has resistance to the damage dealt by the attack.
Let's say the barbarian hits a wizard, and after the wizard casts a fireball into the party (or even a toll the dead on an individual besides the barbarian).
Do the party members get resistance to the damage? Or because it specifies "attack", and a fireball (and toll the dead) is not described as an attack, do they take full damage?
dnd-5e spells class-feature barbarian damage-resistance
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
1
Related: What counts as an attack?
– Sdjz
Dec 4 at 15:39
add a comment |
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
The Path of the Ancestral Guardian barbarian's Ancestral Protectors feature (XGtE, p. 10) says:
While you’re raging, the first creature you hit with an attack on your turn becomes the target of the warriors, which hinder its attacks. Until the start of your next turn, [...] when the target hits a creature other than you with an attack, that creature has resistance to the damage dealt by the attack.
Let's say the barbarian hits a wizard, and after the wizard casts a fireball into the party (or even a toll the dead on an individual besides the barbarian).
Do the party members get resistance to the damage? Or because it specifies "attack", and a fireball (and toll the dead) is not described as an attack, do they take full damage?
dnd-5e spells class-feature barbarian damage-resistance
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
The Path of the Ancestral Guardian barbarian's Ancestral Protectors feature (XGtE, p. 10) says:
While you’re raging, the first creature you hit with an attack on your turn becomes the target of the warriors, which hinder its attacks. Until the start of your next turn, [...] when the target hits a creature other than you with an attack, that creature has resistance to the damage dealt by the attack.
Let's say the barbarian hits a wizard, and after the wizard casts a fireball into the party (or even a toll the dead on an individual besides the barbarian).
Do the party members get resistance to the damage? Or because it specifies "attack", and a fireball (and toll the dead) is not described as an attack, do they take full damage?
dnd-5e spells class-feature barbarian damage-resistance
dnd-5e spells class-feature barbarian damage-resistance
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
edited Dec 4 at 22:04
V2Blast
18.7k251116
18.7k251116
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
asked Dec 4 at 15:33
James
633211
633211
1
Related: What counts as an attack?
– Sdjz
Dec 4 at 15:39
add a comment |
1
Related: What counts as an attack?
– Sdjz
Dec 4 at 15:39
1
1
Related: What counts as an attack?
– Sdjz
Dec 4 at 15:39
Related: What counts as an attack?
– Sdjz
Dec 4 at 15:39
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
The party takes full damage from both spells
Unless the spell says you are making an attack roll or labels itself an attack you are not attacking.
If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack. (PHB 194)
Fireball says:
Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Dexterity saving throw.
This is a saving throw made by the affected creatures, not an attack roll. Thus it is not an attack.
The same is true of toll the dead which says:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage.
Ancestral Protectors specifically requires an attack:
When the target hits a creature other than you with an attack...
Thus, the party will get no protection from a fireball or toll the dead since they are not attacks.
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
I look forward to a player fireballing a busy marketplace then arguing it wasn't 'an attack' on the marketplace. DnD specificity leads to weirdness.
– MarkTO
Dec 4 at 20:38
5
@MarkTO Good luck trying to convince the guards based on game meta logic! Murderhobo: "Well you see I didn't roll an attack roll, so legally I did not attack and murder those people" Guard: "A what roll?" [Puts handcuffs on muderhobo]
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 4 at 20:41
1
You may want to improve this answer by citing the relevant portions of the PHB that specify what is and isn't an attack as well as clarify the situation were the Wizard to use a spell that did have an attack roll.
– Pyrotechnical
Dec 4 at 23:27
@Pyrotechnical the first part is done. Do you really think the part with spells with attack rolls is necessary? It doesn't seem to me that is the area OP is confused about, but maybe I'm missing something.
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 5 at 15:21
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
The fireball does not count as an attack because there is no attack roll; it simply calls for a (Dexterity) saving throw. The same is true for toll the dead:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
Therefore, the Barbarian's ability does not apply.
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
3
Care to expand this to explain how toll the dead works too? I think you're right, but if you cover both cases it will be clearer.
– GreySage
Dec 4 at 17:59
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
The party takes full damage from both spells
Unless the spell says you are making an attack roll or labels itself an attack you are not attacking.
If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack. (PHB 194)
Fireball says:
Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Dexterity saving throw.
This is a saving throw made by the affected creatures, not an attack roll. Thus it is not an attack.
The same is true of toll the dead which says:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage.
Ancestral Protectors specifically requires an attack:
When the target hits a creature other than you with an attack...
Thus, the party will get no protection from a fireball or toll the dead since they are not attacks.
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
I look forward to a player fireballing a busy marketplace then arguing it wasn't 'an attack' on the marketplace. DnD specificity leads to weirdness.
– MarkTO
Dec 4 at 20:38
5
@MarkTO Good luck trying to convince the guards based on game meta logic! Murderhobo: "Well you see I didn't roll an attack roll, so legally I did not attack and murder those people" Guard: "A what roll?" [Puts handcuffs on muderhobo]
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 4 at 20:41
1
You may want to improve this answer by citing the relevant portions of the PHB that specify what is and isn't an attack as well as clarify the situation were the Wizard to use a spell that did have an attack roll.
– Pyrotechnical
Dec 4 at 23:27
@Pyrotechnical the first part is done. Do you really think the part with spells with attack rolls is necessary? It doesn't seem to me that is the area OP is confused about, but maybe I'm missing something.
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 5 at 15:21
add a comment |
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
The party takes full damage from both spells
Unless the spell says you are making an attack roll or labels itself an attack you are not attacking.
If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack. (PHB 194)
Fireball says:
Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Dexterity saving throw.
This is a saving throw made by the affected creatures, not an attack roll. Thus it is not an attack.
The same is true of toll the dead which says:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage.
Ancestral Protectors specifically requires an attack:
When the target hits a creature other than you with an attack...
Thus, the party will get no protection from a fireball or toll the dead since they are not attacks.
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
I look forward to a player fireballing a busy marketplace then arguing it wasn't 'an attack' on the marketplace. DnD specificity leads to weirdness.
– MarkTO
Dec 4 at 20:38
5
@MarkTO Good luck trying to convince the guards based on game meta logic! Murderhobo: "Well you see I didn't roll an attack roll, so legally I did not attack and murder those people" Guard: "A what roll?" [Puts handcuffs on muderhobo]
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 4 at 20:41
1
You may want to improve this answer by citing the relevant portions of the PHB that specify what is and isn't an attack as well as clarify the situation were the Wizard to use a spell that did have an attack roll.
– Pyrotechnical
Dec 4 at 23:27
@Pyrotechnical the first part is done. Do you really think the part with spells with attack rolls is necessary? It doesn't seem to me that is the area OP is confused about, but maybe I'm missing something.
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 5 at 15:21
add a comment |
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
The party takes full damage from both spells
Unless the spell says you are making an attack roll or labels itself an attack you are not attacking.
If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack. (PHB 194)
Fireball says:
Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Dexterity saving throw.
This is a saving throw made by the affected creatures, not an attack roll. Thus it is not an attack.
The same is true of toll the dead which says:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage.
Ancestral Protectors specifically requires an attack:
When the target hits a creature other than you with an attack...
Thus, the party will get no protection from a fireball or toll the dead since they are not attacks.
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
The party takes full damage from both spells
Unless the spell says you are making an attack roll or labels itself an attack you are not attacking.
If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack. (PHB 194)
Fireball says:
Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Dexterity saving throw.
This is a saving throw made by the affected creatures, not an attack roll. Thus it is not an attack.
The same is true of toll the dead which says:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage.
Ancestral Protectors specifically requires an attack:
When the target hits a creature other than you with an attack...
Thus, the party will get no protection from a fireball or toll the dead since they are not attacks.
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
edited Dec 5 at 15:20
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
answered Dec 4 at 16:21
Rubiksmoose
46.2k6232353
46.2k6232353
I look forward to a player fireballing a busy marketplace then arguing it wasn't 'an attack' on the marketplace. DnD specificity leads to weirdness.
– MarkTO
Dec 4 at 20:38
5
@MarkTO Good luck trying to convince the guards based on game meta logic! Murderhobo: "Well you see I didn't roll an attack roll, so legally I did not attack and murder those people" Guard: "A what roll?" [Puts handcuffs on muderhobo]
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 4 at 20:41
1
You may want to improve this answer by citing the relevant portions of the PHB that specify what is and isn't an attack as well as clarify the situation were the Wizard to use a spell that did have an attack roll.
– Pyrotechnical
Dec 4 at 23:27
@Pyrotechnical the first part is done. Do you really think the part with spells with attack rolls is necessary? It doesn't seem to me that is the area OP is confused about, but maybe I'm missing something.
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 5 at 15:21
add a comment |
I look forward to a player fireballing a busy marketplace then arguing it wasn't 'an attack' on the marketplace. DnD specificity leads to weirdness.
– MarkTO
Dec 4 at 20:38
5
@MarkTO Good luck trying to convince the guards based on game meta logic! Murderhobo: "Well you see I didn't roll an attack roll, so legally I did not attack and murder those people" Guard: "A what roll?" [Puts handcuffs on muderhobo]
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 4 at 20:41
1
You may want to improve this answer by citing the relevant portions of the PHB that specify what is and isn't an attack as well as clarify the situation were the Wizard to use a spell that did have an attack roll.
– Pyrotechnical
Dec 4 at 23:27
@Pyrotechnical the first part is done. Do you really think the part with spells with attack rolls is necessary? It doesn't seem to me that is the area OP is confused about, but maybe I'm missing something.
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 5 at 15:21
I look forward to a player fireballing a busy marketplace then arguing it wasn't 'an attack' on the marketplace. DnD specificity leads to weirdness.
– MarkTO
Dec 4 at 20:38
I look forward to a player fireballing a busy marketplace then arguing it wasn't 'an attack' on the marketplace. DnD specificity leads to weirdness.
– MarkTO
Dec 4 at 20:38
5
5
@MarkTO Good luck trying to convince the guards based on game meta logic! Murderhobo: "Well you see I didn't roll an attack roll, so legally I did not attack and murder those people" Guard: "A what roll?" [Puts handcuffs on muderhobo]
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 4 at 20:41
@MarkTO Good luck trying to convince the guards based on game meta logic! Murderhobo: "Well you see I didn't roll an attack roll, so legally I did not attack and murder those people" Guard: "A what roll?" [Puts handcuffs on muderhobo]
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 4 at 20:41
1
1
You may want to improve this answer by citing the relevant portions of the PHB that specify what is and isn't an attack as well as clarify the situation were the Wizard to use a spell that did have an attack roll.
– Pyrotechnical
Dec 4 at 23:27
You may want to improve this answer by citing the relevant portions of the PHB that specify what is and isn't an attack as well as clarify the situation were the Wizard to use a spell that did have an attack roll.
– Pyrotechnical
Dec 4 at 23:27
@Pyrotechnical the first part is done. Do you really think the part with spells with attack rolls is necessary? It doesn't seem to me that is the area OP is confused about, but maybe I'm missing something.
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 5 at 15:21
@Pyrotechnical the first part is done. Do you really think the part with spells with attack rolls is necessary? It doesn't seem to me that is the area OP is confused about, but maybe I'm missing something.
– Rubiksmoose
Dec 5 at 15:21
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
The fireball does not count as an attack because there is no attack roll; it simply calls for a (Dexterity) saving throw. The same is true for toll the dead:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
Therefore, the Barbarian's ability does not apply.
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
3
Care to expand this to explain how toll the dead works too? I think you're right, but if you cover both cases it will be clearer.
– GreySage
Dec 4 at 17:59
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
The fireball does not count as an attack because there is no attack roll; it simply calls for a (Dexterity) saving throw. The same is true for toll the dead:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
Therefore, the Barbarian's ability does not apply.
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
3
Care to expand this to explain how toll the dead works too? I think you're right, but if you cover both cases it will be clearer.
– GreySage
Dec 4 at 17:59
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
The fireball does not count as an attack because there is no attack roll; it simply calls for a (Dexterity) saving throw. The same is true for toll the dead:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
Therefore, the Barbarian's ability does not apply.
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
The fireball does not count as an attack because there is no attack roll; it simply calls for a (Dexterity) saving throw. The same is true for toll the dead:
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
Therefore, the Barbarian's ability does not apply.
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
edited Dec 4 at 23:13
V2Blast
18.7k251116
18.7k251116
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
answered Dec 4 at 15:41
Destruktor
3,3211952
3,3211952
3
Care to expand this to explain how toll the dead works too? I think you're right, but if you cover both cases it will be clearer.
– GreySage
Dec 4 at 17:59
add a comment |
3
Care to expand this to explain how toll the dead works too? I think you're right, but if you cover both cases it will be clearer.
– GreySage
Dec 4 at 17:59
3
3
Care to expand this to explain how toll the dead works too? I think you're right, but if you cover both cases it will be clearer.
– GreySage
Dec 4 at 17:59
Care to expand this to explain how toll the dead works too? I think you're right, but if you cover both cases it will be clearer.
– GreySage
Dec 4 at 17:59
add a comment |
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1
Related: What counts as an attack?
– Sdjz
Dec 4 at 15:39