Catapulting Oil

[Amechra]

So, here's a question.

If I cast Catapult on a flask of oil, would the creature I hit get doused in oil?

I don't really see any reason why not, but I thought I'd get some second opinions.

[Damon_Tor]

So, here's a question.

If I cast Catapult on a flask of oil, would the creature I hit get doused in oil?

I don't really see any reason why not, but I thought I'd get some second opinions.

The rules give you two explicit ways to douse things with oil, splash something with it, and throw the cask at them. But the rules are not exhaustive: they are not meant to tell you ALL the ways to interact with an item, and should not be read as such, and the Dungeon Master's Guide is very clear on this point.

Yes, this should work. I would go so far to say that a DM that doesn't allow this to work is not a good DM.

[Garfunion]

You should also add alchemist’s fire/acid, holy water, a jar of ball bearings/caltrops, and anything else that you can place within a breakable container. Should work with catapult spell.

[Ninja_Prawn]

I would aboslutley allow a catapulted flask of oil to cover its target in oil. That seems like something that should not be controversial at all.

Also, a shameless plug: if you're running a game that's going to feature lots of boiling oil, catapults, improvised siege equipment or setting things on fire, I wrote up some homebrew stuff a couple of years back that you might be interested in: variant rules (https://mfov.magehandpress.com/2017/08/advanced-fortifications.html) and a fighter subclass (https://mfov.magehandpress.com/2017/08/siege-engineer.html).

[ScoutTrooper]

Last time I attempted this, my DM said yes.
Played a Lizardfolk Shadow Sorc.
Cast Catapult on flask, roll to hit. Damage from impact
Bonus Action, Quicken Spell, Firebolt, roll to hit, roll damage, add the 5 from the oil.

I flavored it that the flask hung from a utility bandoleer, he would pull a sting to release the flask. Since you can't be holding or wearing the item you cast catapult on. Also It made it count as a drop, not a use item for action economy.

In addition to being a self sufficient lizardfolk, took Downtime to learn how to be proficient in Alchemist Supplies, then made my own oil flask in my downtime to replace what I used.

Edit: For the analytical and number crunchers. https://anydice.com/program/1a20d
If both hit of course.

[ad_hoc]

Jeremy Crawford's answer.

https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/963485318732115968

[Garfunion]

Jeremy Crawford's answer.

https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/963485318732115968

Which still doesn’t clear things up enough. He could have added that the flask of alchemist’s fire breaks and delivers it’s damaged as if it was a hit.

[stoutstien]

Which still doesn’t clear things up enough. He could have added that the flask of alchemist’s fire breaks and delivers it’s damaged as if it was a hit.

95% of JC tweets about rules could be summarized to, "Ask your DM."

[ad_hoc]

Which still doesn’t clear things up enough. He could have added that the flask of alchemist’s fire breaks and delivers it’s damaged as if it was a hit.

He said that is a legitimate ruling.