D&D 5E Question on prestidigitation cooling and heating matter

[ECMO3]

You can cool and heat 1 cubic foot of non-living matter. I have two questions on how this is applied.

1. Is the 1 cubic foot the volume of the matter or the area of effect it has to rest inside? For example a human suit of plate is less than 1 cubic foot in volume I think, but it won't fit in a 1 cubic foot box.

2. It heats or cools it for an hour, does that mean it stays cool or stays hot. For example can I "heat" my thin long-sleeved shirt to keep my torso warm in icewind dale in the middle of the winter. Similarly if I "cool" my cloak while I am walking in the desert, does it keep me cool for an hour?

 

[NotAYakk]

These look like questions for your DM?

 

[Mirtek]

2. It heats or cools it for an hour, does that mean it stays cool or stays hot. For example can I "heat" my thin long-sleeved shirt to keep my torso warm in icewind dale in the middle of the winter. Similarly if I "cool" my cloak while I am walking in the desert, does it keep me cool for an hour?

I have always played it as a pure comfort effect for RP purpose. So yes, it would keep you warm/cool but only as long as it's not about avoiding environmental effects.

So while everyone is profoundly sweating watching the royal tournament on this hot summer day, you keep yourself well tempered with the wave of a hand.

If the party is walking through the desert and it's time to save against exhaustion, then you roll like anyone else

 

[OptionalRule]

You can cool and heat 1 cubic foot of non-living matter. I have two questions on how this is applied.

1. Is the 1 cubic foot the volume of the matter or the area of effect it has to rest inside? For example a human suit of plate is less than 1 cubic foot in volume I think, but it won't fit in a 1 cubic foot box.

2. It heats or cools it for an hour, does that mean it stays cool or stays hot. For example can I "heat" my thin long-sleeved shirt to keep my torso warm in icewind dale in the middle of the winter. Similarly if I "cool" my cloak while I am walking in the desert, does it keep me cool for an hour?

Up to your own DM but the way I would rule in my game is:
1. for trivial things like this I'd allow it and wouldn't get too pedantic. (I fold up the shirt so it fits in a cubic foot)
2. I would say it stays that way. I would not allow it to be used in the way you list here though. It's a comfort and flavor thing, not a game mechanic. So no bonus save for environmental effects.

 

[Oofta]

It may not affect a plate of armor, but if you just want to cool off, it doesn't need to. Even cooling (or warming) part will make a difference. In addition, you always wear some padding under the armor, you could cool that. Of course you'd have to repeat every hour.

If it's for wearing armor in more extreme conditions, I'd allow it.

 

[Laurefindel]

My ruling as a DM;

Prestidigitation affects a cubic foot. If you can fold your cloak in that 1-foot cube, it will be warm. I'd think of it like a small-volume dryer...
I think significant bonuses to environmental effects is beyond the scope of this cantrip, but I could see that magically out-of-the-dryer warm clothes could count as proper winter/desert clothes in this context (i.e. saving you from the penalties when inappropriately dressed)

 

[aco175]

There is a point where you are trying to game the system. Discuss with your DM because clever play is generally rewarded.

I have seen it mostly used to clean clothes and boots from walking in the swamp or create a breeze to keep bugs off. Some of the effect I leave to the player, like the cooling breeze may come from a created palm frond or an swirl of wind that floats around.

 

[TheDelphian]

I am not sure how it is worded but even folding things up to fit in the space sounds a little pedantic to me. I would let it work on anything that could fit in the space. The wizard loses some coolness when they strip their clothes off and clean them and has to redress. when it makes no real difference.

I might let some one get some tiny bonus to rolls for being cool in the desert. My reasoning being that while most people think it is a free thing being a cantrip it is not. It is one of a limited number of cantrips a caster has and comes at that opportunity cost having chosen it over others. so a little something may be granted since the cantrips do real things like damage etc. Why can't this and it shouldn't be a huge bonus just something.

 

[Ancalagon]

I am not sure how it is worded but even folding things up to fit in the space sounds a little pedantic to me. I would let it work on anything that could fit in the space. The wizard loses some coolness when they strip their clothes off and clean them and has to redress. when it makes no real difference.

I might let some one get some tiny bonus to rolls for being cool in the desert. My reasoning being that while most people think it is a free thing being a cantrip it is not. It is one of a limited number of cantrips a caster has and comes at that opportunity cost having chosen it over others. so a little something may be granted since the cantrips do real things like damage etc. Why can't this and it shouldn't be a huge bonus just something.

Yup. I would look at "endure elements" and create a weaker bonus than that. Perhaps a 1d4 bonus (like bless?) to a saving thrown vs the environmental effects?

 

[Umbran]

1. Is the 1 cubic foot the volume of the matter or the area of effect it has to rest inside? For example a human suit of plate is less than 1 cubic foot in volume I think, but it won't fit in a 1 cubic foot box.

2. It heats or cools it for an hour, does that mean it stays cool or stays hot. For example can I "heat" my thin long-sleeved shirt to keep my torso warm in icewind dale in the middle of the winter. Similarly if I "cool" my cloak while I am walking in the desert, does it keep me cool for an hour?

I would say
(1) Yes - the matter has to fit inside the 1' cube. and
(2) it stays warm/cool as long as it continues to fit inside a 1' cube. Thus, you can keep your ale cold, and your dinner hot. You can get your cloak that just-out-of-the-dryer feel, but when you unfold it, it no longer fits in the space, and that warmth will fade, just like you took it out of the dryer.