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Can I target multiple creatures with a readied spell that can target multiple creatures
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Some spells can have multiple targets, like Eldritch Blast (at higher levels) or Scorching Ray.
Eldritch Blast (PHB, pg. 237):
The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.
Scorching Ray (PHB, pg. 273):
You create three rays of fire and hurl them at targets within range. You can hurl them at one target or several.
Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 fire damage.
Let's say I ready a spell with multiple targets and that my trigger is something like:
"I attack the orcs (plural) when I can see them"
(if we assume that my character knows there are orcs hiding behind something and will jump out any moment now; if we need to explain why my PC would know this, perhaps because an ally will do something to draw them out of hiding before the orcs' and my PC's next turn, or perhaps I just keep readying Eldritch Blast until they finally do come out).
Given that you can choose not to respond to a trigger for readied actions (PHB, pg. 193):
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger.
then if I ignored the first enemy that appeared but responded to the second, could I target both enemies as I "release" the spell, or would I only be able to target the creature that is the trigger I'm responding to (meaning the second orc in this case)? Or is the trigger not specific enough to be a valid trigger, rendering this whole question moot?
dnd-5e readied-action targeting
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
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Some spells can have multiple targets, like Eldritch Blast (at higher levels) or Scorching Ray.
Eldritch Blast (PHB, pg. 237):
The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.
Scorching Ray (PHB, pg. 273):
You create three rays of fire and hurl them at targets within range. You can hurl them at one target or several.
Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 fire damage.
Let's say I ready a spell with multiple targets and that my trigger is something like:
"I attack the orcs (plural) when I can see them"
(if we assume that my character knows there are orcs hiding behind something and will jump out any moment now; if we need to explain why my PC would know this, perhaps because an ally will do something to draw them out of hiding before the orcs' and my PC's next turn, or perhaps I just keep readying Eldritch Blast until they finally do come out).
Given that you can choose not to respond to a trigger for readied actions (PHB, pg. 193):
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger.
then if I ignored the first enemy that appeared but responded to the second, could I target both enemies as I "release" the spell, or would I only be able to target the creature that is the trigger I'm responding to (meaning the second orc in this case)? Or is the trigger not specific enough to be a valid trigger, rendering this whole question moot?
dnd-5e readied-action targeting
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
2
Related: Can a spell be readied to trigger when its intended target comes into view? and How specific does the Action for Ready need to be?
– Sdjz
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
Some spells can have multiple targets, like Eldritch Blast (at higher levels) or Scorching Ray.
Eldritch Blast (PHB, pg. 237):
The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.
Scorching Ray (PHB, pg. 273):
You create three rays of fire and hurl them at targets within range. You can hurl them at one target or several.
Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 fire damage.
Let's say I ready a spell with multiple targets and that my trigger is something like:
"I attack the orcs (plural) when I can see them"
(if we assume that my character knows there are orcs hiding behind something and will jump out any moment now; if we need to explain why my PC would know this, perhaps because an ally will do something to draw them out of hiding before the orcs' and my PC's next turn, or perhaps I just keep readying Eldritch Blast until they finally do come out).
Given that you can choose not to respond to a trigger for readied actions (PHB, pg. 193):
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger.
then if I ignored the first enemy that appeared but responded to the second, could I target both enemies as I "release" the spell, or would I only be able to target the creature that is the trigger I'm responding to (meaning the second orc in this case)? Or is the trigger not specific enough to be a valid trigger, rendering this whole question moot?
dnd-5e readied-action targeting
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
Some spells can have multiple targets, like Eldritch Blast (at higher levels) or Scorching Ray.
Eldritch Blast (PHB, pg. 237):
The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.
Scorching Ray (PHB, pg. 273):
You create three rays of fire and hurl them at targets within range. You can hurl them at one target or several.
Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 fire damage.
Let's say I ready a spell with multiple targets and that my trigger is something like:
"I attack the orcs (plural) when I can see them"
(if we assume that my character knows there are orcs hiding behind something and will jump out any moment now; if we need to explain why my PC would know this, perhaps because an ally will do something to draw them out of hiding before the orcs' and my PC's next turn, or perhaps I just keep readying Eldritch Blast until they finally do come out).
Given that you can choose not to respond to a trigger for readied actions (PHB, pg. 193):
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger.
then if I ignored the first enemy that appeared but responded to the second, could I target both enemies as I "release" the spell, or would I only be able to target the creature that is the trigger I'm responding to (meaning the second orc in this case)? Or is the trigger not specific enough to be a valid trigger, rendering this whole question moot?
dnd-5e readied-action targeting
dnd-5e readied-action targeting
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
edited 1 hour ago
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
asked 2 hours ago
NathanS
18.9k680198
18.9k680198
2
Related: Can a spell be readied to trigger when its intended target comes into view? and How specific does the Action for Ready need to be?
– Sdjz
1 hour ago
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2
Related: Can a spell be readied to trigger when its intended target comes into view? and How specific does the Action for Ready need to be?
– Sdjz
1 hour ago
2
2
Related: Can a spell be readied to trigger when its intended target comes into view? and How specific does the Action for Ready need to be?
– Sdjz
1 hour ago
Related: Can a spell be readied to trigger when its intended target comes into view? and How specific does the Action for Ready need to be?
– Sdjz
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
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Yes you can
The Ready action states:
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For the first part you could indeed say "an orc shows itself" and you could pass the trigger until the second orc shows itself. You could also put the trigger on "Two orcs can be hit by my spell" or something similar.
For the second part you can simply state your action is: "I will use Scorching Ray on the triggering orcs/all visible orcs/as many orcs as possible" or if your DM is lenient: simply I will use scoring ray picking the target on use of the spell. Remember here that your action does not need to be targeted at the trigger. You could say "If the hero kicks in the door. I will attack the hostage."
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
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Yes, you can target multiple enemies
The action you take is not dependent on the trigger you set.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For example, you could set a trigger of "When an or comes into view" and set your action to be "heal my ally with this spell".
In your case, just because your trigger is one orc coming out does not mean you cannot target multiple orcs with your readied action. In fact, you wouldn't even need to use your action to do anything to any orc at all.
The only thing you need to make sure I'd that your action wording does not exclude that. For example a readied action of "target that one orc with Eldritch blast" would only allow you to target one orc technically. Whereas a readied action wording of "I cast Eldritch blast on as many orcs as possible" would obviously allow you to do target multiple.
As long as you are careful with your wording there's no reason you can't target multiple, but it has nothing to do with your trigger condition.
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
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Considering you can ready AoE spells like Fireball, yes you can ready spells with multiple targets.
There's not much more to be added here. Nothing in the Ready Action prevents you from preparing a spell that hits more than one target.
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
3
I'm not quite sure you've understood my question. I have added some bold emphasis to the last paragraph try to draw some attention to the parts I'm interested in. To clarify, I know I can prepare, say, Eldritch Blast (if we assume I'm 5th level, so have two beams), but in the scenario I describe, could I target two orcs (one beam on each), or would I have to slam both beams into the same orc?
– NathanS
1 hour 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
3
down vote
Yes you can
The Ready action states:
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For the first part you could indeed say "an orc shows itself" and you could pass the trigger until the second orc shows itself. You could also put the trigger on "Two orcs can be hit by my spell" or something similar.
For the second part you can simply state your action is: "I will use Scorching Ray on the triggering orcs/all visible orcs/as many orcs as possible" or if your DM is lenient: simply I will use scoring ray picking the target on use of the spell. Remember here that your action does not need to be targeted at the trigger. You could say "If the hero kicks in the door. I will attack the hostage."
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
1,012212
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Yes you can
The Ready action states:
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For the first part you could indeed say "an orc shows itself" and you could pass the trigger until the second orc shows itself. You could also put the trigger on "Two orcs can be hit by my spell" or something similar.
For the second part you can simply state your action is: "I will use Scorching Ray on the triggering orcs/all visible orcs/as many orcs as possible" or if your DM is lenient: simply I will use scoring ray picking the target on use of the spell. Remember here that your action does not need to be targeted at the trigger. You could say "If the hero kicks in the door. I will attack the hostage."
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
1,012212
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Yes you can
The Ready action states:
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For the first part you could indeed say "an orc shows itself" and you could pass the trigger until the second orc shows itself. You could also put the trigger on "Two orcs can be hit by my spell" or something similar.
For the second part you can simply state your action is: "I will use Scorching Ray on the triggering orcs/all visible orcs/as many orcs as possible" or if your DM is lenient: simply I will use scoring ray picking the target on use of the spell. Remember here that your action does not need to be targeted at the trigger. You could say "If the hero kicks in the door. I will attack the hostage."
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
1,012212
Yes you can
The Ready action states:
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For the first part you could indeed say "an orc shows itself" and you could pass the trigger until the second orc shows itself. You could also put the trigger on "Two orcs can be hit by my spell" or something similar.
For the second part you can simply state your action is: "I will use Scorching Ray on the triggering orcs/all visible orcs/as many orcs as possible" or if your DM is lenient: simply I will use scoring ray picking the target on use of the spell. Remember here that your action does not need to be targeted at the trigger. You could say "If the hero kicks in the door. I will attack the hostage."
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
1,012212
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
1,012212
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
1,012212
answered 28 mins ago
Dinomaster
1,012212
1,012212
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Yes, you can target multiple enemies
The action you take is not dependent on the trigger you set.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For example, you could set a trigger of "When an or comes into view" and set your action to be "heal my ally with this spell".
In your case, just because your trigger is one orc coming out does not mean you cannot target multiple orcs with your readied action. In fact, you wouldn't even need to use your action to do anything to any orc at all.
The only thing you need to make sure I'd that your action wording does not exclude that. For example a readied action of "target that one orc with Eldritch blast" would only allow you to target one orc technically. Whereas a readied action wording of "I cast Eldritch blast on as many orcs as possible" would obviously allow you to do target multiple.
As long as you are careful with your wording there's no reason you can't target multiple, but it has nothing to do with your trigger condition.
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Yes, you can target multiple enemies
The action you take is not dependent on the trigger you set.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For example, you could set a trigger of "When an or comes into view" and set your action to be "heal my ally with this spell".
In your case, just because your trigger is one orc coming out does not mean you cannot target multiple orcs with your readied action. In fact, you wouldn't even need to use your action to do anything to any orc at all.
The only thing you need to make sure I'd that your action wording does not exclude that. For example a readied action of "target that one orc with Eldritch blast" would only allow you to target one orc technically. Whereas a readied action wording of "I cast Eldritch blast on as many orcs as possible" would obviously allow you to do target multiple.
As long as you are careful with your wording there's no reason you can't target multiple, but it has nothing to do with your trigger condition.
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Yes, you can target multiple enemies
The action you take is not dependent on the trigger you set.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For example, you could set a trigger of "When an or comes into view" and set your action to be "heal my ally with this spell".
In your case, just because your trigger is one orc coming out does not mean you cannot target multiple orcs with your readied action. In fact, you wouldn't even need to use your action to do anything to any orc at all.
The only thing you need to make sure I'd that your action wording does not exclude that. For example a readied action of "target that one orc with Eldritch blast" would only allow you to target one orc technically. Whereas a readied action wording of "I cast Eldritch blast on as many orcs as possible" would obviously allow you to do target multiple.
As long as you are careful with your wording there's no reason you can't target multiple, but it has nothing to do with your trigger condition.
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
Yes, you can target multiple enemies
The action you take is not dependent on the trigger you set.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you chose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you chose to move up to your speed in response to it.
For example, you could set a trigger of "When an or comes into view" and set your action to be "heal my ally with this spell".
In your case, just because your trigger is one orc coming out does not mean you cannot target multiple orcs with your readied action. In fact, you wouldn't even need to use your action to do anything to any orc at all.
The only thing you need to make sure I'd that your action wording does not exclude that. For example a readied action of "target that one orc with Eldritch blast" would only allow you to target one orc technically. Whereas a readied action wording of "I cast Eldritch blast on as many orcs as possible" would obviously allow you to do target multiple.
As long as you are careful with your wording there's no reason you can't target multiple, but it has nothing to do with your trigger condition.
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
edited 17 mins ago
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
answered 23 mins ago
Rubiksmoose
41.7k5205316
41.7k5205316
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
Considering you can ready AoE spells like Fireball, yes you can ready spells with multiple targets.
There's not much more to be added here. Nothing in the Ready Action prevents you from preparing a spell that hits more than one target.
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
3
I'm not quite sure you've understood my question. I have added some bold emphasis to the last paragraph try to draw some attention to the parts I'm interested in. To clarify, I know I can prepare, say, Eldritch Blast (if we assume I'm 5th level, so have two beams), but in the scenario I describe, could I target two orcs (one beam on each), or would I have to slam both beams into the same orc?
– NathanS
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
Considering you can ready AoE spells like Fireball, yes you can ready spells with multiple targets.
There's not much more to be added here. Nothing in the Ready Action prevents you from preparing a spell that hits more than one target.
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
3
I'm not quite sure you've understood my question. I have added some bold emphasis to the last paragraph try to draw some attention to the parts I'm interested in. To clarify, I know I can prepare, say, Eldritch Blast (if we assume I'm 5th level, so have two beams), but in the scenario I describe, could I target two orcs (one beam on each), or would I have to slam both beams into the same orc?
– NathanS
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
up vote
-2
down vote
Considering you can ready AoE spells like Fireball, yes you can ready spells with multiple targets.
There's not much more to be added here. Nothing in the Ready Action prevents you from preparing a spell that hits more than one target.
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
Considering you can ready AoE spells like Fireball, yes you can ready spells with multiple targets.
There's not much more to be added here. Nothing in the Ready Action prevents you from preparing a spell that hits more than one target.
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
answered 1 hour ago
Lino Frank Ciaralli
22.2k363129
22.2k363129
3
I'm not quite sure you've understood my question. I have added some bold emphasis to the last paragraph try to draw some attention to the parts I'm interested in. To clarify, I know I can prepare, say, Eldritch Blast (if we assume I'm 5th level, so have two beams), but in the scenario I describe, could I target two orcs (one beam on each), or would I have to slam both beams into the same orc?
– NathanS
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
3
I'm not quite sure you've understood my question. I have added some bold emphasis to the last paragraph try to draw some attention to the parts I'm interested in. To clarify, I know I can prepare, say, Eldritch Blast (if we assume I'm 5th level, so have two beams), but in the scenario I describe, could I target two orcs (one beam on each), or would I have to slam both beams into the same orc?
– NathanS
1 hour ago
3
3
I'm not quite sure you've understood my question. I have added some bold emphasis to the last paragraph try to draw some attention to the parts I'm interested in. To clarify, I know I can prepare, say, Eldritch Blast (if we assume I'm 5th level, so have two beams), but in the scenario I describe, could I target two orcs (one beam on each), or would I have to slam both beams into the same orc?
– NathanS
1 hour ago
I'm not quite sure you've understood my question. I have added some bold emphasis to the last paragraph try to draw some attention to the parts I'm interested in. To clarify, I know I can prepare, say, Eldritch Blast (if we assume I'm 5th level, so have two beams), but in the scenario I describe, could I target two orcs (one beam on each), or would I have to slam both beams into the same orc?
– NathanS
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
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2
Related: Can a spell be readied to trigger when its intended target comes into view? and How specific does the Action for Ready need to be?
– Sdjz
1 hour ago