Spell casting questions

[etrpgb]

I have few questions about the RAW of spell casting.

To make it easier, here is the main reference with a link to the full page.

Casting a spell SRD (http://5e.d20srd.org/srd/spellcasting/castingASpell.htm)



Targets
A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell’s magic. A spell’s description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below).

Unless a spell has a perceptible effect, a creature might not know it was targeted by a spell at all. An effect like crackling lightning is obvious, but a more subtle effect, such as an attempt to read a creature’s thoughts, typically goes unnoticed, unless a spell says otherwise.

A Clear Path to the Target
To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can’t be behind total cover.

If you place an area of effect at a point that you can’t see and an obstruction, such as a wall, is between you and that point, the point of origin comes into being on the near side of that obstruction.

Targeting 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. If you are in the area of effect of a spell you cast, you can target yourself.



Questions are:
o If a spell can be cast on a object, like Firebolt, can it be cast on a object that is worn? Can I, for example, try to ignite the dress of someone while he or she is wearing it? Or, funnier example, can a Wizard clean her robe Prestidigitation without doffing it?



o The rule states "a clear path," must be this path in straight line? Can it pass thought any crack or hole? Like a keyhole?

E.g., this is the situation:


T
--- <- this is a glass wall

C

We have that C is a caster, T is a creature, the walking distance between C and T is less than the spell range (walking around the glass wall), and Mr. C can see the target for the wall is made of glass.

Can the caster cast a Firebolt to Mr. T? What about spells that apparently need no line like Toll the Dead? Does it matter if it is a ranged spell attack (Firebolt) or if the spell requires a TS (Toll the Dead), even if the spell just works (Hex)?

o Can Mr. C use Misty Step to teleport beyond Mr. T?


As a RAW question, let us try to focus of what the authors wrote. If it is really ambiguous then let us think to what was intended or what is fun

[Christew]

Questions are:
o If a spell can be cast on a object, like Firebolt, can it be cast on a object that is worn? Can I, for example, try to ignite the dress of someone while he or she is wearing it? Or, funnier example, can a Wizard clean her robe Prestidigitation without doffing it?
Most spells that can target objects detail how. Firebolt, for example, states"A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried." Prestidigitation, by contrast, states "You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot." No mention of limitations on object targeting, so yes a wizard can cast it on clothes they are wearing. DM might rule that the robe has to be in a form factor that fits inside a cubic foot, in which case you would have to remove it.

All the rest depends on whether your DM rules a glass wall as 3/4 cover (like a portcullis because it can be seen through) or total cover (because it is impermeable).

[Tanarii]

Clear path is a straight line.

It applies to all spells with a target (creature, object, or point of origin for an area spell) that don't have language that indicates otherwise.

Misty step doesn't have a target, so the clear path rule doesn't apply.

[etrpgb]

Clear path is a straight line.

English is not my native language. Is "Clear path" is normally in that sense? If not can you pinpoint the RAW about this?

[Tanarii]

English is not my native language. Is "Clear path" is normally in that sense? If not can you pinpoint the RAW about this?
Well yes. But also the fact that it cannot be behind total cover. That means there cannot be total cover between you (or the point of origin for area spells) and the target. That's what puts it "behind" the total cover.

[Asisreo1]

o If a spell can be cast on a object, like Firebolt, can it be cast on a object that is worn? Can I, for example, try to ignite the dress of someone while he or she is wearing it? Or, funnier example, can a Wizard clean her robe Prestidigitation without doffing it?

So firebolt can target an object and it indeed can target an item that is worn or carried. It does damage and has the chance to break the object but it cannot ignite the object.

For instance, an enemy spellcaster can firebolt your spellcasting focus and break it, that's 100% RAW. same thing with your spellbook. It's quite cruel of your DM but it's possible.

A martial character can do the same, targeting an enemy's focus to prevent spellcasting with material opponents or rending their enemy's armor.

Fireball, on the otherhand, doesn't do damage to objects, only creatures. It ignites flammable objects but not worn or carried objects.

[Man_Over_Game]

So firebolt can target an object and it indeed can target an item that is worn or carried. It does damage and has the chance to break the object but it cannot ignite the object.

For instance, an enemy spellcaster can firebolt your spellcasting focus and break it, that's 100% RAW. same thing with your spellbook. It's quite cruel of your DM but it's possible.

A martial character can do the same, targeting an enemy's focus to prevent spellcasting with material opponents or rending their enemy's armor.

Fireball, on the otherhand, doesn't do damage to objects, only creatures. It ignites flammable objects but not worn or carried objects.

It really all depends on what your DM says.

Flame Strike, for example, doesn't say that it sets stuff on fire, while Lightning Bolt does. A DM can just as easily say that Fireball destroys gear it hits for the sake of "realism".

Most DMs don't run their games with consistent "Sunder" rules, and instead allow exceptions in specific circumstances (which is what 5e was kinda planned for).

[Asisreo1]

It really all depends on what your DM says.

Flame Strike, for example, doesn't say that it sets stuff on fire, while Lightning Bolt does. A DM can just as easily say that Fireball destroys gear it hits for the sake of "realism".

Most DMs don't run their games with consistent "Sunder" rules, and instead allow exceptions in specific circumstances (which is what 5e was kinda planned for).
Well, what I'm saying is that there is a consistent ruling for "sunder." Flame strike doesn't do anything to objects because it only damages creatures. Lightning bolt is like fireball, it doesn't do damage to objects, just creatures.

In contrast, shatter explicitly allows you to target unheld objects.

You actually can't light objects on fire when they're being held unless you light them through nonmagical means like an alchemist's fire or they're a candle or torch. Otherwise, flammable objects in your possession are safe until you let them go.

[Tanarii]

Questions are:
o If a spell can be cast on a object, like Firebolt, can it be cast on a object that is worn? Can I, for example, try to ignite the dress of someone while he or she is wearing it? Or, funnier example, can a Wizard clean her robe Prestidigitation without doffing it?
I missed this the first time, but Firebolt cannot be cast on anything that is being worn or carried. Says so in the spell.

[Asisreo1]

I missed this the first time, but Firebolt cannot be cast on anything that is being worn or carried. Says so in the spell.
Nah, It doesn't restrict targetting and damaging an object using firebolt by any means except for range and sight, you just can't ignite them.