One of my players cast the banishment spell on a dead body. I wasn't sure in the moment if this actually worked, and so I said it didn't. Can someone tell if it does or does not and why?
Asked
Active
Viewed 1,123 times
2
-
Do you want to explain why/why not? – Ben Mar 10 '17 at 06:22
-
At least a bit of explanation would be nice. – Feldragoon Mar 10 '17 at 06:54
-
I can see the confusion... I should have worded it differently. I meant could you add into your question your reasoning for why or why not? – Ben Mar 10 '17 at 07:00
-
What "dead bodies"? Do you mean undead? – enkryptor Mar 10 '17 at 07:42
-
Did they try to hide a corpse that way? – enkryptor Mar 10 '17 at 07:45
-
@Feldragoon could you elaborate the question a little? In the title you ask if banishment can be cast, but in the body you ask if it "works" (how exactly do you suppose it works?). It might be better to ask what happens when you do this, or is it possible to achieve a certain result. – enkryptor Mar 10 '17 at 10:30
-
Thanks for asking me to clarify the question. Hopefully this ends up being more helpful. – Feldragoon Mar 10 '17 at 19:57
1 Answers
8
No, the banishment spell would not work on a corpse. Banishment targets creatures:
You attempt to send one creature that you can see within range to another plane of existence.
-
It wouldn't work, that does not automatically mean you can't cast it. – enkryptor Mar 10 '17 at 07:43
-
@enkryptor True, but to cast a spell you have to choose a valid target, and a corpse isn't a valid target for banishment. – Miniman Mar 10 '17 at 07:53
-
You still can waste a spell on an incorrect target. Say, casting Polymorph on a shapechanger. (or do you imply the caster automatically knows if the target is a shapechanger) – enkryptor Mar 10 '17 at 07:55
-
1@enkryptor No, but a shapechanger is a valid target for polymorph. Polymorph can be cast on any creature. A shapechanger automatically makes their saving throw, but they're still valid targets. – Miniman Mar 10 '17 at 08:00
-
So, if the object is an image of a creature, you can't target it with a spell like Sacred Flame? Does that mean the caster automatically reveals illusions? – enkryptor Mar 10 '17 at 08:06
-
1
-
4The intention when casting a spell with an illegal target is that it still takes up the casting time to do so, but the spell has no effect and the slot is not expended (if >= level 1). This is not written anywhere but was clarified as the intent during the Sage Advice segment of this Dragon Talk. – CTWind Mar 10 '17 at 08:24
-
1@enkryptor If you do pose that question link it here because I'm curious as well. – Ethan The Brave Mar 10 '17 at 17:25
-