


We’ll cover how both the Invisibilty spell and effect work in 5e, as well as go into details about the fun and optimal applications of the spell. However, some confusing rules regarding the invisibility effect make this spell a little less straightforward than you’d imagine. Invisibility 5e Compared to Greater InvisibilityĪ staple of the fantasy genre and role-playing games in general, Invisibility is a classic DnD spell that does just what you’d expect.What Are the Rules for Invisibility in 5e?.Which would be exceedingly strange if you were not already protected from the effects of your own spells. 117) which allows you to create pockets of safety within AoE spells, but specifically does not allow you to use the ability on yourself. This is further confirmed with the evocation specialist's sculpt spells ability (PHB p. Implying the option to exclude yourself.Īrea of Effect is not the same thing as a spell's targeting range, and considering that the meaning of "Area of Effect" was spelled out not two inches above, on the same page, in the same subsection, I feel confident that the authors would have been very unlikely to use it to mean anything other than what they had just defined it to mean. And similarly, if you are in the AoE of a spell, you are given the option to target yourself. If the spell is targeted, you may chose yourself (or not) if you are otherwise a valid target. The text clearly differentiates AoE spells and targeted spells and uses consistent wording throughout. If you are in theĪrea of effect of a spell you cast, you can target yourself. If a spell targets a creature of your choice, you canĬhoose yourself, unless the creature must be hostile or A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below). This effectively make the AoE a sphere of radius centered on the caster, while making it clear that the Targets rules are in effect (where a caster can target herself or not) rather than the Area of Effect rules (where the caster is targeted if she is within the AoE)įrom the PHB page 204 (italics added for emphasis):Ī typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell’s magic. Most of the spells like this (see bless for example) give a range, and say that you can choose N creatures within range. Spells that require you to pick targets don't explicitly describe an Area of Effect shape. If you are in the area of effect of a spell you cast, you can target yourself. If a spell targets a creature of your choice, you can choose yourself, unless the creature must be hostile, or specifically a creature other than you. For spells that require you to pick targets, you can include yourself or not: There is a sub-section on Targeting Yourself but keep in mind that this is all in the context of spells that require you to pick one or more targets, which does not apply to the shatter spell.

204, there is wording about spells that allow the caster to pick targets.Ī typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell's magic. The chosen creatures automatically succeed on their saving throws against the spell, and they take no damage if they would normally take half damage. When you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures you can see, you can choose a number of them. Similarly a cylinder's point of origin is included in the cylinder's area of effect.Ī cone's point of origin is not included in the cone's area of effect, unless you decide otherwise.Īn evocation specialist wizard could have sculpted the evocation spell shatter around her allies, but not, strictly as written, herself. 205) explicitly states:Ī sphere's point of origin is included in the sphere's area of effect. The description of a sphere's area of effect (PHB p. Shatter's area of effect is a 10-foot radius sphere.
