D&D General Familiars and Spiritual weapon, Turrets and Tentacles, some have HP some do not, why?

[Oofta]

Am I missing something? Are eldritch cannons and tentacle of the deep from some UA article? Because they don't appear to be a thing on DndBeyond and I've never heard of them.

As far as familiars and summoned things, they are creatures not the delivery method of a spell. Familiars in particular aren't exactly meant to be combat spells in the first place, even if they can help.

 

[Jfdlsjfd]

Am I missing something? Are eldritch cannons and tentacle of the deep from some UA article? Because they don't appear to be a thing on DndBeyond and I've never heard of them.

Eldritch cannon is the name of the 3rd level (defining) feature of the Artillerist Artificer. It can be a handgun or an autonomous, self-moving turret.

Tentacles from the Deep is the 1st level boon for warlock of the Hentai Fathomless pact.

Edit: both are Tasha's.

 

[Oofta]

Eldritch cannon is the name of the 3rd level (defining) feature of the Artillerist Artificer. It can be a handgun or an autonomous, self-moving turret.

Tentacles from the Deep is the 1st level boon for warlock of the Hentai Fathomless pact.

Edit: both are Tasha's.

Huh. Search doesn't work well on DndBeyond.

In any case the cannon is an item, not a spell. The tentacles is a bit odd, I guess they treat it as a creature because it's summoned.

 

[ECMO3]

But what I've realized is that it's not clear to me why some things are targetable (eldritch cannon), and some aren't (tentacle of the deep). More importantly, is this distinction clear to the foes?

So "soaking a hit" is not a bad use for a summoned entity that fights besides you. So if the giant is tired of your familiar giving advantage to you and smashes it with a club - well at least YOU weren't smashed with a club, so that's a good benefit to you. But the giant also gains a small benefit (killing the familiar). But a giant would never swat at a spiritual weapon bashing the giant, because the spiritual weapon is not killable. Not only would the spiritual "soak a hit", the giant would gain nothing.

But how does the giant know this? Surely a wizard well versed in arcane matters would know this, or even an experienced adventurer. But a dumb hill giant?

I hope you enjoy this little Christmas gift of a puzzle

I will note that I put this in D&D general but I'm taking the 5e perspective

Nothing in the spiritual weapon or tentacle of the deep spell descriptions state they are not targetable. As such logically spiritual weapon would have hps and AC comparable to the form it takes. I would use a Roper Tendril as a baseline for a tentacle, but probably give it more hps.

 

[TheDelphian]

I just assume the person fighting did swing at those things ( non hpt summons etc) during the round and saw it had no effect. It is not as if the 6 seconds and a roll to hit is the only action. The are swinging and attacking the whole time. One swing goes through the that ng they know to ignore it.

 

[Oofta]

Nothing in the spiritual weapon or tentacle of the deep spell descriptions state they are not targetable. As such logically spiritual weapon would have hps and AC comparable to the form it takes. I would use a Roper Tendril as a baseline for a tentacle, but probably give it more hps.

You can target them, but they are just the physical manifestation of a spell so that the players can keep track of where it's targeted at the moment.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Nothing in the spiritual weapon or tentacle of the deep spell descriptions state they are not targetable.

It wouldn't because target information goes in the description of the attack - usually "one creature", "one object" or "one target" which means a creature or an object. A spell effect is neither an object nor a creature, therefore it cannot be targeted. Other examples are Dancing Lights and Flaming Sphere.

 

[TheSword]

And why does a spiritual weapon not count as an ally attacking for the purposes of sneak attack etc. Do does not have to be mindful of attacks from that direction… if so why does it attack vs AC.

 

[Lyxen]

And why does a spiritual weapon not count as an ally attacking for the purposes of sneak attack etc. Do does not have to be mindful of attacks from that direction… if so why does it attack vs AC.

Because it's "automated" and not coordinated with any other attack, but still attack physically.

 

[Ancalagon]

It wouldn't because target information goes in the description of the attack - usually "one creature", "one object" or "one target" which means a creature or an object. A spell effect is neither an object nor a creature, therefore it cannot be targeted. Other examples are Dancing Lights and Flaming Sphere.

flaming sphere is another one that bugs me because it really feels like it's a physical object on fire