Can you use Contingency to cast Lightning Bolt?
The Contingency spell allows you to "prepare" a spell of 5th level or lower that can target you and set a trigger for it to take effect. It can be any spell 5th or lower capable of targeting the caster, but it "takes effect only on you". Lightning Bolt has a range of "Self (100-foot line)". Would I be able to make it contingent on me being lunged at? I'd appreciate both RAW and RAI answers.
dnd-5e spells
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
add a comment |
The Contingency spell allows you to "prepare" a spell of 5th level or lower that can target you and set a trigger for it to take effect. It can be any spell 5th or lower capable of targeting the caster, but it "takes effect only on you". Lightning Bolt has a range of "Self (100-foot line)". Would I be able to make it contingent on me being lunged at? I'd appreciate both RAW and RAI answers.
dnd-5e spells
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
add a comment |
The Contingency spell allows you to "prepare" a spell of 5th level or lower that can target you and set a trigger for it to take effect. It can be any spell 5th or lower capable of targeting the caster, but it "takes effect only on you". Lightning Bolt has a range of "Self (100-foot line)". Would I be able to make it contingent on me being lunged at? I'd appreciate both RAW and RAI answers.
dnd-5e spells
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
The Contingency spell allows you to "prepare" a spell of 5th level or lower that can target you and set a trigger for it to take effect. It can be any spell 5th or lower capable of targeting the caster, but it "takes effect only on you". Lightning Bolt has a range of "Self (100-foot line)". Would I be able to make it contingent on me being lunged at? I'd appreciate both RAW and RAI answers.
dnd-5e spells
dnd-5e spells
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
edited Dec 11 at 20:49
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
asked Dec 11 at 20:33
Duncan X Simpson
2378
2378
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
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oldest
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Contingency can cast Lightning Bolt, but it will only affect you
Because Lightning Bolt has a range of "self", it should be compatible with the requirements of the spell:
Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of 1 action, and that can target you.
Since "self" is equivalent to targeting yourself, that criterion is fulfilled.
However, you would not be able to use it to deal damage to anything else (like, say, a creature "lunging at you"). From a paragraph later in the spell's description,
The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others.
Lightning Bolt dealing damage to anyone else would probably qualify it as "taking effect" on another creature, which the Contingency spell says will not happen.
So while you can cause Lightning Bolt to be triggered by this spell, it won't have any kind of value as a defensive mechanism, being unable to affect anything that would be in its range. You might be able to use it as a kind of scare tactic, i.e. having it go off to trick oncoming enemies into thinking that you're more dangerous than they might otherwise be inclined to believe you would be. But the actual effects of Lightning Bolt won't be able to affect those creatures.
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
Thanks for the answer! I figured this was probably the case; I just wasn't sure whether "taking effect" was distinct from "targeting".
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:46
I'll accept this in a few hours if a better answer doesn't come in.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:48
@DuncanXSimpson give it a day so that the whole world has a chance to answer.
– Grosscol
Dec 11 at 21:35
@DuncanXSimpson Normal policy on this stack (not necessarily true of other stacks) is to give at least 24 hours before accepting an answer on a question. It's not always followed, but it is a good way to ensure everyone has a fair chance to provide their input on a question before said input gets buried by the vote system.
– Xirema
Dec 11 at 21:39
@Grosscol (and Xirema) Will do.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 21:41
|
show 1 more comment
No, you can’t
One of the prerequisites of the contingent spell is that it “... can target you.” Lightning Bolt does not target you, it “... blasts out from you in a direction you choose.”
The range of Lightning Bolt is “Self (100-foot line)” so it is an area of effect spell - it has a point of origin (Self) [which you can include in the AoE] but you are not a target. Targets are “creatures, objects, or a point in space”, this is a “point in space” (where you are).
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
1
Do you want to address the edge case of "suicide by Contingency spell" being used for dramatic effect by the PC? Up to you.
– KorvinStarmast
Dec 11 at 20:47
1
I'd argue that by definition it targets you, since its range is self.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:47
add a comment |
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Contingency can cast Lightning Bolt, but it will only affect you
Because Lightning Bolt has a range of "self", it should be compatible with the requirements of the spell:
Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of 1 action, and that can target you.
Since "self" is equivalent to targeting yourself, that criterion is fulfilled.
However, you would not be able to use it to deal damage to anything else (like, say, a creature "lunging at you"). From a paragraph later in the spell's description,
The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others.
Lightning Bolt dealing damage to anyone else would probably qualify it as "taking effect" on another creature, which the Contingency spell says will not happen.
So while you can cause Lightning Bolt to be triggered by this spell, it won't have any kind of value as a defensive mechanism, being unable to affect anything that would be in its range. You might be able to use it as a kind of scare tactic, i.e. having it go off to trick oncoming enemies into thinking that you're more dangerous than they might otherwise be inclined to believe you would be. But the actual effects of Lightning Bolt won't be able to affect those creatures.
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
Thanks for the answer! I figured this was probably the case; I just wasn't sure whether "taking effect" was distinct from "targeting".
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:46
I'll accept this in a few hours if a better answer doesn't come in.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:48
@DuncanXSimpson give it a day so that the whole world has a chance to answer.
– Grosscol
Dec 11 at 21:35
@DuncanXSimpson Normal policy on this stack (not necessarily true of other stacks) is to give at least 24 hours before accepting an answer on a question. It's not always followed, but it is a good way to ensure everyone has a fair chance to provide their input on a question before said input gets buried by the vote system.
– Xirema
Dec 11 at 21:39
@Grosscol (and Xirema) Will do.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 21:41
|
show 1 more comment
Contingency can cast Lightning Bolt, but it will only affect you
Because Lightning Bolt has a range of "self", it should be compatible with the requirements of the spell:
Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of 1 action, and that can target you.
Since "self" is equivalent to targeting yourself, that criterion is fulfilled.
However, you would not be able to use it to deal damage to anything else (like, say, a creature "lunging at you"). From a paragraph later in the spell's description,
The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others.
Lightning Bolt dealing damage to anyone else would probably qualify it as "taking effect" on another creature, which the Contingency spell says will not happen.
So while you can cause Lightning Bolt to be triggered by this spell, it won't have any kind of value as a defensive mechanism, being unable to affect anything that would be in its range. You might be able to use it as a kind of scare tactic, i.e. having it go off to trick oncoming enemies into thinking that you're more dangerous than they might otherwise be inclined to believe you would be. But the actual effects of Lightning Bolt won't be able to affect those creatures.
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
Thanks for the answer! I figured this was probably the case; I just wasn't sure whether "taking effect" was distinct from "targeting".
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:46
I'll accept this in a few hours if a better answer doesn't come in.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:48
@DuncanXSimpson give it a day so that the whole world has a chance to answer.
– Grosscol
Dec 11 at 21:35
@DuncanXSimpson Normal policy on this stack (not necessarily true of other stacks) is to give at least 24 hours before accepting an answer on a question. It's not always followed, but it is a good way to ensure everyone has a fair chance to provide their input on a question before said input gets buried by the vote system.
– Xirema
Dec 11 at 21:39
@Grosscol (and Xirema) Will do.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 21:41
|
show 1 more comment
Contingency can cast Lightning Bolt, but it will only affect you
Because Lightning Bolt has a range of "self", it should be compatible with the requirements of the spell:
Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of 1 action, and that can target you.
Since "self" is equivalent to targeting yourself, that criterion is fulfilled.
However, you would not be able to use it to deal damage to anything else (like, say, a creature "lunging at you"). From a paragraph later in the spell's description,
The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others.
Lightning Bolt dealing damage to anyone else would probably qualify it as "taking effect" on another creature, which the Contingency spell says will not happen.
So while you can cause Lightning Bolt to be triggered by this spell, it won't have any kind of value as a defensive mechanism, being unable to affect anything that would be in its range. You might be able to use it as a kind of scare tactic, i.e. having it go off to trick oncoming enemies into thinking that you're more dangerous than they might otherwise be inclined to believe you would be. But the actual effects of Lightning Bolt won't be able to affect those creatures.
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
Contingency can cast Lightning Bolt, but it will only affect you
Because Lightning Bolt has a range of "self", it should be compatible with the requirements of the spell:
Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of 1 action, and that can target you.
Since "self" is equivalent to targeting yourself, that criterion is fulfilled.
However, you would not be able to use it to deal damage to anything else (like, say, a creature "lunging at you"). From a paragraph later in the spell's description,
The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others.
Lightning Bolt dealing damage to anyone else would probably qualify it as "taking effect" on another creature, which the Contingency spell says will not happen.
So while you can cause Lightning Bolt to be triggered by this spell, it won't have any kind of value as a defensive mechanism, being unable to affect anything that would be in its range. You might be able to use it as a kind of scare tactic, i.e. having it go off to trick oncoming enemies into thinking that you're more dangerous than they might otherwise be inclined to believe you would be. But the actual effects of Lightning Bolt won't be able to affect those creatures.
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
answered Dec 11 at 20:44
Xirema
15.4k24593
15.4k24593
Thanks for the answer! I figured this was probably the case; I just wasn't sure whether "taking effect" was distinct from "targeting".
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:46
I'll accept this in a few hours if a better answer doesn't come in.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:48
@DuncanXSimpson give it a day so that the whole world has a chance to answer.
– Grosscol
Dec 11 at 21:35
@DuncanXSimpson Normal policy on this stack (not necessarily true of other stacks) is to give at least 24 hours before accepting an answer on a question. It's not always followed, but it is a good way to ensure everyone has a fair chance to provide their input on a question before said input gets buried by the vote system.
– Xirema
Dec 11 at 21:39
@Grosscol (and Xirema) Will do.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 21:41
|
show 1 more comment
Thanks for the answer! I figured this was probably the case; I just wasn't sure whether "taking effect" was distinct from "targeting".
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:46
I'll accept this in a few hours if a better answer doesn't come in.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:48
@DuncanXSimpson give it a day so that the whole world has a chance to answer.
– Grosscol
Dec 11 at 21:35
@DuncanXSimpson Normal policy on this stack (not necessarily true of other stacks) is to give at least 24 hours before accepting an answer on a question. It's not always followed, but it is a good way to ensure everyone has a fair chance to provide their input on a question before said input gets buried by the vote system.
– Xirema
Dec 11 at 21:39
@Grosscol (and Xirema) Will do.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 21:41
Thanks for the answer! I figured this was probably the case; I just wasn't sure whether "taking effect" was distinct from "targeting".
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:46
Thanks for the answer! I figured this was probably the case; I just wasn't sure whether "taking effect" was distinct from "targeting".
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:46
I'll accept this in a few hours if a better answer doesn't come in.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:48
I'll accept this in a few hours if a better answer doesn't come in.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:48
@DuncanXSimpson give it a day so that the whole world has a chance to answer.
– Grosscol
Dec 11 at 21:35
@DuncanXSimpson give it a day so that the whole world has a chance to answer.
– Grosscol
Dec 11 at 21:35
@DuncanXSimpson Normal policy on this stack (not necessarily true of other stacks) is to give at least 24 hours before accepting an answer on a question. It's not always followed, but it is a good way to ensure everyone has a fair chance to provide their input on a question before said input gets buried by the vote system.
– Xirema
Dec 11 at 21:39
@DuncanXSimpson Normal policy on this stack (not necessarily true of other stacks) is to give at least 24 hours before accepting an answer on a question. It's not always followed, but it is a good way to ensure everyone has a fair chance to provide their input on a question before said input gets buried by the vote system.
– Xirema
Dec 11 at 21:39
@Grosscol (and Xirema) Will do.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 21:41
@Grosscol (and Xirema) Will do.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 21:41
|
show 1 more comment
No, you can’t
One of the prerequisites of the contingent spell is that it “... can target you.” Lightning Bolt does not target you, it “... blasts out from you in a direction you choose.”
The range of Lightning Bolt is “Self (100-foot line)” so it is an area of effect spell - it has a point of origin (Self) [which you can include in the AoE] but you are not a target. Targets are “creatures, objects, or a point in space”, this is a “point in space” (where you are).
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
1
Do you want to address the edge case of "suicide by Contingency spell" being used for dramatic effect by the PC? Up to you.
– KorvinStarmast
Dec 11 at 20:47
1
I'd argue that by definition it targets you, since its range is self.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:47
add a comment |
No, you can’t
One of the prerequisites of the contingent spell is that it “... can target you.” Lightning Bolt does not target you, it “... blasts out from you in a direction you choose.”
The range of Lightning Bolt is “Self (100-foot line)” so it is an area of effect spell - it has a point of origin (Self) [which you can include in the AoE] but you are not a target. Targets are “creatures, objects, or a point in space”, this is a “point in space” (where you are).
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
1
Do you want to address the edge case of "suicide by Contingency spell" being used for dramatic effect by the PC? Up to you.
– KorvinStarmast
Dec 11 at 20:47
1
I'd argue that by definition it targets you, since its range is self.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:47
add a comment |
No, you can’t
One of the prerequisites of the contingent spell is that it “... can target you.” Lightning Bolt does not target you, it “... blasts out from you in a direction you choose.”
The range of Lightning Bolt is “Self (100-foot line)” so it is an area of effect spell - it has a point of origin (Self) [which you can include in the AoE] but you are not a target. Targets are “creatures, objects, or a point in space”, this is a “point in space” (where you are).
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
No, you can’t
One of the prerequisites of the contingent spell is that it “... can target you.” Lightning Bolt does not target you, it “... blasts out from you in a direction you choose.”
The range of Lightning Bolt is “Self (100-foot line)” so it is an area of effect spell - it has a point of origin (Self) [which you can include in the AoE] but you are not a target. Targets are “creatures, objects, or a point in space”, this is a “point in space” (where you are).
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
edited Dec 11 at 20:57
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
answered Dec 11 at 20:45
Dale M
101k20257452
101k20257452
1
Do you want to address the edge case of "suicide by Contingency spell" being used for dramatic effect by the PC? Up to you.
– KorvinStarmast
Dec 11 at 20:47
1
I'd argue that by definition it targets you, since its range is self.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:47
add a comment |
1
Do you want to address the edge case of "suicide by Contingency spell" being used for dramatic effect by the PC? Up to you.
– KorvinStarmast
Dec 11 at 20:47
1
I'd argue that by definition it targets you, since its range is self.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:47
1
1
Do you want to address the edge case of "suicide by Contingency spell" being used for dramatic effect by the PC? Up to you.
– KorvinStarmast
Dec 11 at 20:47
Do you want to address the edge case of "suicide by Contingency spell" being used for dramatic effect by the PC? Up to you.
– KorvinStarmast
Dec 11 at 20:47
1
1
I'd argue that by definition it targets you, since its range is self.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:47
I'd argue that by definition it targets you, since its range is self.
– Duncan X Simpson
Dec 11 at 20:47
add a comment |
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