Spirit guardians query

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

TheCriticalFail

Jan 23, 2015 13:44:29

spirit guardians States " when a creature enters the area for a first time on a turn" When referring to damage, as well as "or starts its turn there". 

 

I was of the opinion that this would only inflict damage when enemies wilfully entered the area on their turn. However most of my group feel like this would activate on every turn they enter the area. For example, 

 

Cleric activates ability and walks up to enemies, they take damage. Enemy go, they take damage again. Battle master uses manoeuvring attack to move cleric in and out of range, enemies take damage again. Etc.

 

Is this right? It seems really good for a third level spell that lasts ten minutes like that. Or am I right and is it intended to only activate once per round, when enemies wilfully enter for the first time or start in the area?

 

Thanks for the help!

#2

AaronOfBarbaria

Jan 23, 2015 14:24:24 		Moving the area does not cause creatures to have entered the area. Moving the creature can.
(Reply to #2)

Ashrym

AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
#4

AaronOfBarbaria

Jan 25, 2015 14:03:56

I don't have a specific reference - just the spell effect using the wording "enters an area for the first time" and "enter" is only done by the thing which is moving at the time.

 

The spell effect enters the creature's space, rather than the creature entering the area.

 

If you don't think my answer works for you, or you think it isn't "official" enough, go ahead an tweet your question to Jeremy Crawford. I'm fairly confident you'll get the same response as I have given.

(Reply to #4)

Ashrym

AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
#6

randl

Jan 25, 2015 20:37:21

I think there was a discussion similar to this about moving a Moonbeam.  I think it was determined that you don't do damage to creatures that the Moonbeam passes over as it is being moved.  I think the intent of the wording is to prevent double Jepardy of moving the spell over someone and leaving it there for them to take damage on thier turn as well.  My instinct is to only do the damage on forced or willing movement into the area, and not by the Cleric moving the zone.  So far, my main experience with this spell is using it against the party (enemy Cleric NPC), and the party had no problem with this ruling then.

#7

paulstrait

Jan 25, 2015 21:07:48

Ashrym wrote:
(Reply to #7)

Macv12

paulstrait wrote:
(Reply to #6)

Ashrym

randl wrote: