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How much information should the defender have when deciding whether or not to cast Shield?
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I'm playing a 5e campaign as a Fighter, planning on becoming an Eldritch Knight.
Thus far (we're still level 1), the DM has been resolving attack rolls against us by telling us the result of the attack roll, and asking us if it hits:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "Does a 19 hit you?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "Yep. Ouch!"
This has worked fine so far, since there isn't really anything any of our characters can do about being attacked, and you can't derive very much useful information from knowing what a monster's modified attack roll was. However, in a couple levels, I'm going to learn to cast spells, specifically the Shield
spell, which changes things a bit.
I know that I don't have to declare whether or not I cast Shield until I know whether the attack would hit me, but am I supposed to know the exact modified attack roll result when I decide? Or should the sequence of events be more like:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "What's your AC?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "It's 16."
DM: "Okay, the attack hits."
Player: "I cast Shield in an attempt to protect myself, raising my AC to 21. Does it still hit me?"
DM: "Nope, it glances off your magical barrier."
This is important because if I know the attack roll result, I know whether it's worth bothering to cast Shield, whereas if it's hidden from me, I have to guess whether the attack beat my AC by 5 or more.
dnd-5e spells reactions attack-roll
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
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asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I'm playing a 5e campaign as a Fighter, planning on becoming an Eldritch Knight.
Thus far (we're still level 1), the DM has been resolving attack rolls against us by telling us the result of the attack roll, and asking us if it hits:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "Does a 19 hit you?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "Yep. Ouch!"
This has worked fine so far, since there isn't really anything any of our characters can do about being attacked, and you can't derive very much useful information from knowing what a monster's modified attack roll was. However, in a couple levels, I'm going to learn to cast spells, specifically the Shield
spell, which changes things a bit.
I know that I don't have to declare whether or not I cast Shield until I know whether the attack would hit me, but am I supposed to know the exact modified attack roll result when I decide? Or should the sequence of events be more like:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "What's your AC?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "It's 16."
DM: "Okay, the attack hits."
Player: "I cast Shield in an attempt to protect myself, raising my AC to 21. Does it still hit me?"
DM: "Nope, it glances off your magical barrier."
This is important because if I know the attack roll result, I know whether it's worth bothering to cast Shield, whereas if it's hidden from me, I have to guess whether the attack beat my AC by 5 or more.
dnd-5e spells reactions attack-roll
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
Related, possible duplicate: Do you know the value of an attack or damage roll on you before the hit is resolved?
– V2Blast
50 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I'm playing a 5e campaign as a Fighter, planning on becoming an Eldritch Knight.
Thus far (we're still level 1), the DM has been resolving attack rolls against us by telling us the result of the attack roll, and asking us if it hits:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "Does a 19 hit you?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "Yep. Ouch!"
This has worked fine so far, since there isn't really anything any of our characters can do about being attacked, and you can't derive very much useful information from knowing what a monster's modified attack roll was. However, in a couple levels, I'm going to learn to cast spells, specifically the Shield
spell, which changes things a bit.
I know that I don't have to declare whether or not I cast Shield until I know whether the attack would hit me, but am I supposed to know the exact modified attack roll result when I decide? Or should the sequence of events be more like:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "What's your AC?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "It's 16."
DM: "Okay, the attack hits."
Player: "I cast Shield in an attempt to protect myself, raising my AC to 21. Does it still hit me?"
DM: "Nope, it glances off your magical barrier."
This is important because if I know the attack roll result, I know whether it's worth bothering to cast Shield, whereas if it's hidden from me, I have to guess whether the attack beat my AC by 5 or more.
dnd-5e spells reactions attack-roll
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
I'm playing a 5e campaign as a Fighter, planning on becoming an Eldritch Knight.
Thus far (we're still level 1), the DM has been resolving attack rolls against us by telling us the result of the attack roll, and asking us if it hits:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "Does a 19 hit you?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "Yep. Ouch!"
This has worked fine so far, since there isn't really anything any of our characters can do about being attacked, and you can't derive very much useful information from knowing what a monster's modified attack roll was. However, in a couple levels, I'm going to learn to cast spells, specifically the Shield
spell, which changes things a bit.
I know that I don't have to declare whether or not I cast Shield until I know whether the attack would hit me, but am I supposed to know the exact modified attack roll result when I decide? Or should the sequence of events be more like:
DM: "The goblin takes a swing at you!" (rolls behind DM screen) "What's your AC?"
Player: (looks at character sheet) "It's 16."
DM: "Okay, the attack hits."
Player: "I cast Shield in an attempt to protect myself, raising my AC to 21. Does it still hit me?"
DM: "Nope, it glances off your magical barrier."
This is important because if I know the attack roll result, I know whether it's worth bothering to cast Shield, whereas if it's hidden from me, I have to guess whether the attack beat my AC by 5 or more.
dnd-5e spells reactions attack-roll
dnd-5e spells reactions attack-roll
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
edited 47 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
17.1k244108
asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
asked 1 hour ago
A_S00
6,29021745
6,29021745
Related, possible duplicate: Do you know the value of an attack or damage roll on you before the hit is resolved?
– V2Blast
50 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Related, possible duplicate: Do you know the value of an attack or damage roll on you before the hit is resolved?
– V2Blast
50 mins ago
Related, possible duplicate: Do you know the value of an attack or damage roll on you before the hit is resolved?
– V2Blast
50 mins ago
Related, possible duplicate: Do you know the value of an attack or damage roll on you before the hit is resolved?
– V2Blast
50 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Whether it hits
Usually, the DM asks your AC before the play, and they take a note behind the screen. When they roll an attack behind the screen, they can immediately determine whether it hits or not. In this style, the DM only announces the hit, and not the total roll.
However,
your group has been using the other style: announcing the total attack roll.
It works with your group. Don't fix if it does not break.
You don't have to worry too much about "metagaming" the attack roll. What your player knows should be instinctively known to your character. If I'm the DM, if the roll can't be beat by Shield, I'll narrate the attack as a very fast attack, and you can't react fast enough to cast Shield.
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
Announcing the attack roll number versus mechanics is metagaming, whether you have an issue with it or not. The whole point of "Shield" is to cast it as a reactionary measure in hopes to prevent said attack from hitting.
– XAQT78
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
According to this tweet by Mike Mearls, you're supposed to know with certainty whether the shield is enough to protect you or not, so that you can't waste the spell.
This is also how I have seen it be done in every game I have played. The DM announces the attack score, and the player compares it to their AC and announces if it hits or not.
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It should be noted that Mike Mearls' tweets are not formal rulings in the way that Crawford's are.
– Neil
59 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you get hit in the first place before casting Shield, that's because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell" - so it only triggers when you're hit. That doesn't necessarily correlate with knowing the total on the attack roll, which is what OP's asking about. And as Neil said, Mearls' tweets are not official rulings; in fact, they often conflict with the actual rules.
– V2Blast
49 mins ago
Okay, thanks for the edit and clarifications. I wasn't aware of the difference in authority between Mearls and Crawford.
– Kazim
37 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Shield
Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
As the spell states including the triggering attack, meaning when you confirm the attack as a hit, you then can choose to cast Shield as a reaction. RAW
You should know if the attack hits or not, any statistic ventures into the realm of metagaming. Now, a certain level of metagaming will happen, but is not a big issue if you leave that for OoC (Out of Character) times.
Take a moment to actually put yourself in the situation, a round is 6 seconds, as soon as you feel that weapon strike (that nanosecond the weapon would make physical contact, not just guessing it would) against your body, you mutter some words and wave your hand. Then POOF, you acted just in the nick of time to bring forth a barrier in hopes to block said strike.
If you know if the attack roll was too high enough to use the spell, then the spell is pointless. You are taking a chance to prevent yourself from injury or worse.
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
While it's true that you know whether you'd normally get hit or not because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell"... That doesn't answer OP's question about whether the player knows the actual attack roll, so that they can choose not to cast shield if the attack would still hit even with the +5 to AC.
– V2Blast
30 mins ago
Knowing whether the spell would work or not by metagaming is weak!
– XAQT78
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Whether it hits
Usually, the DM asks your AC before the play, and they take a note behind the screen. When they roll an attack behind the screen, they can immediately determine whether it hits or not. In this style, the DM only announces the hit, and not the total roll.
However,
your group has been using the other style: announcing the total attack roll.
It works with your group. Don't fix if it does not break.
You don't have to worry too much about "metagaming" the attack roll. What your player knows should be instinctively known to your character. If I'm the DM, if the roll can't be beat by Shield, I'll narrate the attack as a very fast attack, and you can't react fast enough to cast Shield.
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
Announcing the attack roll number versus mechanics is metagaming, whether you have an issue with it or not. The whole point of "Shield" is to cast it as a reactionary measure in hopes to prevent said attack from hitting.
– XAQT78
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Whether it hits
Usually, the DM asks your AC before the play, and they take a note behind the screen. When they roll an attack behind the screen, they can immediately determine whether it hits or not. In this style, the DM only announces the hit, and not the total roll.
However,
your group has been using the other style: announcing the total attack roll.
It works with your group. Don't fix if it does not break.
You don't have to worry too much about "metagaming" the attack roll. What your player knows should be instinctively known to your character. If I'm the DM, if the roll can't be beat by Shield, I'll narrate the attack as a very fast attack, and you can't react fast enough to cast Shield.
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
Announcing the attack roll number versus mechanics is metagaming, whether you have an issue with it or not. The whole point of "Shield" is to cast it as a reactionary measure in hopes to prevent said attack from hitting.
– XAQT78
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Whether it hits
Usually, the DM asks your AC before the play, and they take a note behind the screen. When they roll an attack behind the screen, they can immediately determine whether it hits or not. In this style, the DM only announces the hit, and not the total roll.
However,
your group has been using the other style: announcing the total attack roll.
It works with your group. Don't fix if it does not break.
You don't have to worry too much about "metagaming" the attack roll. What your player knows should be instinctively known to your character. If I'm the DM, if the roll can't be beat by Shield, I'll narrate the attack as a very fast attack, and you can't react fast enough to cast Shield.
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
Whether it hits
Usually, the DM asks your AC before the play, and they take a note behind the screen. When they roll an attack behind the screen, they can immediately determine whether it hits or not. In this style, the DM only announces the hit, and not the total roll.
However,
your group has been using the other style: announcing the total attack roll.
It works with your group. Don't fix if it does not break.
You don't have to worry too much about "metagaming" the attack roll. What your player knows should be instinctively known to your character. If I'm the DM, if the roll can't be beat by Shield, I'll narrate the attack as a very fast attack, and you can't react fast enough to cast Shield.
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
answered 1 hour ago
Vylix
6,85712494
6,85712494
Announcing the attack roll number versus mechanics is metagaming, whether you have an issue with it or not. The whole point of "Shield" is to cast it as a reactionary measure in hopes to prevent said attack from hitting.
– XAQT78
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Announcing the attack roll number versus mechanics is metagaming, whether you have an issue with it or not. The whole point of "Shield" is to cast it as a reactionary measure in hopes to prevent said attack from hitting.
– XAQT78
10 mins ago
Announcing the attack roll number versus mechanics is metagaming, whether you have an issue with it or not. The whole point of "Shield" is to cast it as a reactionary measure in hopes to prevent said attack from hitting.
– XAQT78
10 mins ago
Announcing the attack roll number versus mechanics is metagaming, whether you have an issue with it or not. The whole point of "Shield" is to cast it as a reactionary measure in hopes to prevent said attack from hitting.
– XAQT78
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
According to this tweet by Mike Mearls, you're supposed to know with certainty whether the shield is enough to protect you or not, so that you can't waste the spell.
This is also how I have seen it be done in every game I have played. The DM announces the attack score, and the player compares it to their AC and announces if it hits or not.
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It should be noted that Mike Mearls' tweets are not formal rulings in the way that Crawford's are.
– Neil
59 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you get hit in the first place before casting Shield, that's because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell" - so it only triggers when you're hit. That doesn't necessarily correlate with knowing the total on the attack roll, which is what OP's asking about. And as Neil said, Mearls' tweets are not official rulings; in fact, they often conflict with the actual rules.
– V2Blast
49 mins ago
Okay, thanks for the edit and clarifications. I wasn't aware of the difference in authority between Mearls and Crawford.
– Kazim
37 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
According to this tweet by Mike Mearls, you're supposed to know with certainty whether the shield is enough to protect you or not, so that you can't waste the spell.
This is also how I have seen it be done in every game I have played. The DM announces the attack score, and the player compares it to their AC and announces if it hits or not.
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It should be noted that Mike Mearls' tweets are not formal rulings in the way that Crawford's are.
– Neil
59 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you get hit in the first place before casting Shield, that's because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell" - so it only triggers when you're hit. That doesn't necessarily correlate with knowing the total on the attack roll, which is what OP's asking about. And as Neil said, Mearls' tweets are not official rulings; in fact, they often conflict with the actual rules.
– V2Blast
49 mins ago
Okay, thanks for the edit and clarifications. I wasn't aware of the difference in authority between Mearls and Crawford.
– Kazim
37 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
According to this tweet by Mike Mearls, you're supposed to know with certainty whether the shield is enough to protect you or not, so that you can't waste the spell.
This is also how I have seen it be done in every game I have played. The DM announces the attack score, and the player compares it to their AC and announces if it hits or not.
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
According to this tweet by Mike Mearls, you're supposed to know with certainty whether the shield is enough to protect you or not, so that you can't waste the spell.
This is also how I have seen it be done in every game I have played. The DM announces the attack score, and the player compares it to their AC and announces if it hits or not.
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
edited 48 mins ago
V2Blast
17.1k244108
17.1k244108
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
answered 1 hour ago
Kazim
391
391
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Kazim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It should be noted that Mike Mearls' tweets are not formal rulings in the way that Crawford's are.
– Neil
59 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you get hit in the first place before casting Shield, that's because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell" - so it only triggers when you're hit. That doesn't necessarily correlate with knowing the total on the attack roll, which is what OP's asking about. And as Neil said, Mearls' tweets are not official rulings; in fact, they often conflict with the actual rules.
– V2Blast
49 mins ago
Okay, thanks for the edit and clarifications. I wasn't aware of the difference in authority between Mearls and Crawford.
– Kazim
37 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2
It should be noted that Mike Mearls' tweets are not formal rulings in the way that Crawford's are.
– Neil
59 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you get hit in the first place before casting Shield, that's because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell" - so it only triggers when you're hit. That doesn't necessarily correlate with knowing the total on the attack roll, which is what OP's asking about. And as Neil said, Mearls' tweets are not official rulings; in fact, they often conflict with the actual rules.
– V2Blast
49 mins ago
Okay, thanks for the edit and clarifications. I wasn't aware of the difference in authority between Mearls and Crawford.
– Kazim
37 mins ago
2
2
It should be noted that Mike Mearls' tweets are not formal rulings in the way that Crawford's are.
– Neil
59 mins ago
It should be noted that Mike Mearls' tweets are not formal rulings in the way that Crawford's are.
– Neil
59 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you get hit in the first place before casting Shield, that's because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell" - so it only triggers when you're hit. That doesn't necessarily correlate with knowing the total on the attack roll, which is what OP's asking about. And as Neil said, Mearls' tweets are not official rulings; in fact, they often conflict with the actual rules.
– V2Blast
49 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you get hit in the first place before casting Shield, that's because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell" - so it only triggers when you're hit. That doesn't necessarily correlate with knowing the total on the attack roll, which is what OP's asking about. And as Neil said, Mearls' tweets are not official rulings; in fact, they often conflict with the actual rules.
– V2Blast
49 mins ago
Okay, thanks for the edit and clarifications. I wasn't aware of the difference in authority between Mearls and Crawford.
– Kazim
37 mins ago
Okay, thanks for the edit and clarifications. I wasn't aware of the difference in authority between Mearls and Crawford.
– Kazim
37 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Shield
Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
As the spell states including the triggering attack, meaning when you confirm the attack as a hit, you then can choose to cast Shield as a reaction. RAW
You should know if the attack hits or not, any statistic ventures into the realm of metagaming. Now, a certain level of metagaming will happen, but is not a big issue if you leave that for OoC (Out of Character) times.
Take a moment to actually put yourself in the situation, a round is 6 seconds, as soon as you feel that weapon strike (that nanosecond the weapon would make physical contact, not just guessing it would) against your body, you mutter some words and wave your hand. Then POOF, you acted just in the nick of time to bring forth a barrier in hopes to block said strike.
If you know if the attack roll was too high enough to use the spell, then the spell is pointless. You are taking a chance to prevent yourself from injury or worse.
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
While it's true that you know whether you'd normally get hit or not because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell"... That doesn't answer OP's question about whether the player knows the actual attack roll, so that they can choose not to cast shield if the attack would still hit even with the +5 to AC.
– V2Blast
30 mins ago
Knowing whether the spell would work or not by metagaming is weak!
– XAQT78
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Shield
Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
As the spell states including the triggering attack, meaning when you confirm the attack as a hit, you then can choose to cast Shield as a reaction. RAW
You should know if the attack hits or not, any statistic ventures into the realm of metagaming. Now, a certain level of metagaming will happen, but is not a big issue if you leave that for OoC (Out of Character) times.
Take a moment to actually put yourself in the situation, a round is 6 seconds, as soon as you feel that weapon strike (that nanosecond the weapon would make physical contact, not just guessing it would) against your body, you mutter some words and wave your hand. Then POOF, you acted just in the nick of time to bring forth a barrier in hopes to block said strike.
If you know if the attack roll was too high enough to use the spell, then the spell is pointless. You are taking a chance to prevent yourself from injury or worse.
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
While it's true that you know whether you'd normally get hit or not because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell"... That doesn't answer OP's question about whether the player knows the actual attack roll, so that they can choose not to cast shield if the attack would still hit even with the +5 to AC.
– V2Blast
30 mins ago
Knowing whether the spell would work or not by metagaming is weak!
– XAQT78
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
Shield
Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
As the spell states including the triggering attack, meaning when you confirm the attack as a hit, you then can choose to cast Shield as a reaction. RAW
You should know if the attack hits or not, any statistic ventures into the realm of metagaming. Now, a certain level of metagaming will happen, but is not a big issue if you leave that for OoC (Out of Character) times.
Take a moment to actually put yourself in the situation, a round is 6 seconds, as soon as you feel that weapon strike (that nanosecond the weapon would make physical contact, not just guessing it would) against your body, you mutter some words and wave your hand. Then POOF, you acted just in the nick of time to bring forth a barrier in hopes to block said strike.
If you know if the attack roll was too high enough to use the spell, then the spell is pointless. You are taking a chance to prevent yourself from injury or worse.
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
Shield
Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
As the spell states including the triggering attack, meaning when you confirm the attack as a hit, you then can choose to cast Shield as a reaction. RAW
You should know if the attack hits or not, any statistic ventures into the realm of metagaming. Now, a certain level of metagaming will happen, but is not a big issue if you leave that for OoC (Out of Character) times.
Take a moment to actually put yourself in the situation, a round is 6 seconds, as soon as you feel that weapon strike (that nanosecond the weapon would make physical contact, not just guessing it would) against your body, you mutter some words and wave your hand. Then POOF, you acted just in the nick of time to bring forth a barrier in hopes to block said strike.
If you know if the attack roll was too high enough to use the spell, then the spell is pointless. You are taking a chance to prevent yourself from injury or worse.
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
edited 18 mins ago
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
answered 38 mins ago
XAQT78
371110
371110
While it's true that you know whether you'd normally get hit or not because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell"... That doesn't answer OP's question about whether the player knows the actual attack roll, so that they can choose not to cast shield if the attack would still hit even with the +5 to AC.
– V2Blast
30 mins ago
Knowing whether the spell would work or not by metagaming is weak!
– XAQT78
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
While it's true that you know whether you'd normally get hit or not because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell"... That doesn't answer OP's question about whether the player knows the actual attack roll, so that they can choose not to cast shield if the attack would still hit even with the +5 to AC.
– V2Blast
30 mins ago
Knowing whether the spell would work or not by metagaming is weak!
– XAQT78
16 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you'd normally get hit or not because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell"... That doesn't answer OP's question about whether the player knows the actual attack roll, so that they can choose not to cast shield if the attack would still hit even with the +5 to AC.
– V2Blast
30 mins ago
While it's true that you know whether you'd normally get hit or not because it's a reaction "which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell"... That doesn't answer OP's question about whether the player knows the actual attack roll, so that they can choose not to cast shield if the attack would still hit even with the +5 to AC.
– V2Blast
30 mins ago
Knowing whether the spell would work or not by metagaming is weak!
– XAQT78
16 mins ago
Knowing whether the spell would work or not by metagaming is weak!
– XAQT78
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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Related, possible duplicate: Do you know the value of an attack or damage roll on you before the hit is resolved?
– V2Blast
50 mins ago