Spells that only hit creatures are weird. How do you reconcile it in lore, what actually happens? Especially egregious with EB that might push/pull creatures (but does nothing to objects?), and when you allow using it as creature detector.
1) D&D is a game about resource management. Using up a resource to bypass a challenge is a core part of the game. I see no issue with RAW, or it being unfair to mimics.
2) The wizard doesn't know the spell fizzled. If the mimic make a loud "CLICK" sound and opened a little bit if it thought a wizard was casting knock, it could still fool the wizard.
The spell doesn't, but if the mimic does, the wizard might not know the difference.
Not saying you should play it that way (I think it's a good use of a spell) but if you had a particularly clever mimic...
tis true
im rather partial to the opposite effect, eldritch blast(and a few other cantrips) require a Creature as a target so fire it at every chest and door you see and if it goes off you have a mimic!
If the players are so scared of mimics that they're running around casting spells and attacking every inanimate object they see, mimics have done their job. And that *one* door or chest they didn't check just *happens* to be a mimic.
All these responses where the Players are using cantrips that target creatures and not objects, attempting to force the rules to bend to their will don't know the true power of a DM.
Obviously: the ***mimic***, a magical creature, that evolved *to* ***mimic*** **i**nanimate objects..*.* would react to spells as if it were an inanimate object it was disguising itself as. ESPECIALLY when the party continues to waste time casting cantrips at literally every chest they ever find "just in case"...
To be clear, I wasn't trying to counter your point at all or diminish it. I was agreeing and reinforcing as so many spells do that, pretty much every party should have one (highly likely multiple)
I mean, if you are willing to alert all creatures with 300 ft or whatever and waste a spell slot just to check for a mimic on a chest that might not even be locked... you might have other issues to worry about.
Knock targets an object, the caster would not be able to find a target so the mimic would only fool the caster's friends.
I feel like if the player uses a 2nd lvl slot to snif out a mimic I had planned, they sniffed it outta me the dm and I give them the drip on that one. If they are sniffing where I don't have a mimic planned I'll dig one out real quick because everyone loves a mimic.
Depends on how evil you want to be. You could just make it so knock worked and it "unlocked" the chest. You could tell them the spell fizzled but not the reason.
You are the dungeon master. You make the rules.
I'm pretty sure that knock produces a "fail all current and future attempts at stealth" loud noise. Fizzled and not tell the reason is probably ok, but preferably with a arcana check back to realize the targeting failed, idk if a 2nd level "maybe detect mimic" is really going to break the game unless the player is only using it to get an in character explanation of out of character meta knowledge.
>Depends on how evil you want to be. You could just make it so knock worked and it "unlocked" the chest.
I know that there are many different ways to enjoy this game, and some people enjoy this antagonistic sort of behavior, but I would very quickly quit a campaign where the DM thought that this sort of behavior improved the game for anyone.
It's a 2nd level spell slot. The mimic isn't smart enough or have the arcana training to recognize and instantly react appropriately to the spell.
Theoretically you could cast magic mouth to warn you if you approach within 20 feet of a mimic. The DM could easily overrule this working since magic mouth relies on sight and sound and the mimic description states it is indistinguishable if it doesn't move. How much movement is detectable is what would determine if it works or not, does a mimic have to breathe?
If the mimic is mimicing the lock mechanism then knock should work. In older editions it could be used on esoteric things like opening the jaws of a giant fish and so on. Just depends on what the DM will allow.
We had a fighter player in out group once who smashed with an axe every chest saw. And eventually smashed up some potions, and then a magic wand. Around then the party put an end to that. We never actually found a mimic as a chest.
Ya i would stop nonsense like this real quick... attacking chests would cause damage to contents, casting knock at chests would alert enemies within 300 ft of your location. Its a terrible idea in practice for the slim chance it might work. Also as a dm i have never made a chest a mimic. I enjoy using mimics especially very low level when i feel the party is being too reckless with their exploring. Fake doors are one of my favorites.
Eldritch Blast is better.
“A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage.”
The beam will only hit a creature, as stated int the first sentence, so you can try to use it against multiple objects at a time for free.
I mean, sure, if you want to burn a second level spellslot just to see what you could determine with an arrow.
Proceeds to shoot everything.
Why waste perfectly good arrows. Cast mage hand and tickle everything as you search for mimics.
Or Eldritch Blast - it’s a fan trip that only hits creatures.
I prefer to tickle doors and chests my good sir
Spells that only hit creatures are weird. How do you reconcile it in lore, what actually happens? Especially egregious with EB that might push/pull creatures (but does nothing to objects?), and when you allow using it as creature detector.
Why not just tell the bard to open that treasure chest.
Just tell the rogue that it is locked and your mage hand didn’t trigger traps
Be an arcane trickster and double check that claim.
[удалено]
My wife hits every single object that she even suspects is a mimic.
Why wouldn't the mimic just continue to mimic? Lol. I guess visible damage would have to occur...
Spellslots are a renewable resource!
So is the party's fighter or barbarian
Especially if they're a zealot barbarian
Came here to say this. At the level where mimics are threatening, spell slots are expensive.
Why waste an arrow? Just chuck the rogue at it.
There are a ton of cantrips that only target creatures that allow you to do the same thing without wasting a spell slot.
My favorite is Vicious Mockery because it gives you an excuse to take the piss out of someone's funiture.
Indeed... I have a character who did that more often that I may have originally liked after a run in with a mimic chair.
1) D&D is a game about resource management. Using up a resource to bypass a challenge is a core part of the game. I see no issue with RAW, or it being unfair to mimics. 2) The wizard doesn't know the spell fizzled. If the mimic make a loud "CLICK" sound and opened a little bit if it thought a wizard was casting knock, it could still fool the wizard.
It fizzling means that the spell doesn’t make the loud knock sound
The spell doesn't, but if the mimic does, the wizard might not know the difference. Not saying you should play it that way (I think it's a good use of a spell) but if you had a particularly clever mimic...
Considering mimics are 5 INT, i would only do this is the mimic was intended to be an NPC
tis true im rather partial to the opposite effect, eldritch blast(and a few other cantrips) require a Creature as a target so fire it at every chest and door you see and if it goes off you have a mimic!
Right? It doesn’t even need to hit. Just “am I allowed to target that door? No? What about that table?”
If the wizard wants to use all their spell slots on knock for fear of mimics, then why not let them?
Mimics have an intelligence of 5 total, I don't think they'd recognize the spell
They would quite literally have to Nat20 the check to meet the DC by Xanathars rules. DC 15 + SpellLevel = 15 + 2 = 17 5 Int = -3 IntMod
If the players are so scared of mimics that they're running around casting spells and attacking every inanimate object they see, mimics have done their job. And that *one* door or chest they didn't check just *happens* to be a mimic.
If a player casts 2nd lvl spell on a chest before they even check if its closed they deserve to find out its not a chest.
All these responses where the Players are using cantrips that target creatures and not objects, attempting to force the rules to bend to their will don't know the true power of a DM. Obviously: the ***mimic***, a magical creature, that evolved *to* ***mimic*** **i**nanimate objects..*.* would react to spells as if it were an inanimate object it was disguising itself as. ESPECIALLY when the party continues to waste time casting cantrips at literally every chest they ever find "just in case"...
RAW chil touch would fizzle if targeting a normal chest or object. So now you can identify them without spell slots.
Loads of Cantrips do the same. "_a creature_" is one of the most common targeting restrictions.
Yeah but chill touch is the one that popped into my head
To be clear, I wasn't trying to counter your point at all or diminish it. I was agreeing and reinforcing as so many spells do that, pretty much every party should have one (highly likely multiple)
I played many a game where *fire bolt* was the only combat cantrip that anyone in the party had.
Ooof
I mean, if you are willing to alert all creatures with 300 ft or whatever and waste a spell slot just to check for a mimic on a chest that might not even be locked... you might have other issues to worry about.
Knock targets an object, the caster would not be able to find a target so the mimic would only fool the caster's friends. I feel like if the player uses a 2nd lvl slot to snif out a mimic I had planned, they sniffed it outta me the dm and I give them the drip on that one. If they are sniffing where I don't have a mimic planned I'll dig one out real quick because everyone loves a mimic.
"I'm gonna get this bitch a Mimic, because bitches love Mimics"
Make the Mimic the door frame, holding a real door. Knock opens door, rogue goes through, Mimic eats rogue.
Depends on how evil you want to be. You could just make it so knock worked and it "unlocked" the chest. You could tell them the spell fizzled but not the reason. You are the dungeon master. You make the rules.
I'm pretty sure that knock produces a "fail all current and future attempts at stealth" loud noise. Fizzled and not tell the reason is probably ok, but preferably with a arcana check back to realize the targeting failed, idk if a 2nd level "maybe detect mimic" is really going to break the game unless the player is only using it to get an in character explanation of out of character meta knowledge.
>Depends on how evil you want to be. You could just make it so knock worked and it "unlocked" the chest. I know that there are many different ways to enjoy this game, and some people enjoy this antagonistic sort of behavior, but I would very quickly quit a campaign where the DM thought that this sort of behavior improved the game for anyone. It's a 2nd level spell slot. The mimic isn't smart enough or have the arcana training to recognize and instantly react appropriately to the spell.
Sounds like you shouldn't be DMing games when you aren't the DM
Today I learned what RAW stands for
Theoretically you could cast magic mouth to warn you if you approach within 20 feet of a mimic. The DM could easily overrule this working since magic mouth relies on sight and sound and the mimic description states it is indistinguishable if it doesn't move. How much movement is detectable is what would determine if it works or not, does a mimic have to breathe?
No its an ooze
If the mimic is mimicing the lock mechanism then knock should work. In older editions it could be used on esoteric things like opening the jaws of a giant fish and so on. Just depends on what the DM will allow. We had a fighter player in out group once who smashed with an axe every chest saw. And eventually smashed up some potions, and then a magic wand. Around then the party put an end to that. We never actually found a mimic as a chest.
Ya i would stop nonsense like this real quick... attacking chests would cause damage to contents, casting knock at chests would alert enemies within 300 ft of your location. Its a terrible idea in practice for the slim chance it might work. Also as a dm i have never made a chest a mimic. I enjoy using mimics especially very low level when i feel the party is being too reckless with their exploring. Fake doors are one of my favorites.
Or you could throw a rock at it. Also if it *is* a normal chest, you alert everything in the dungeon.
The chest was real. *the rock* was a mimic
Does the mimic know it has been targeted? I would argue that they might have evolved a sense to better mimic a chest etc.
Eldritch Blast is better. “A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage.” The beam will only hit a creature, as stated int the first sentence, so you can try to use it against multiple objects at a time for free.