D&D 5E Warding Flare clarification

[Wisefool]

So a Light Cleric can use their Warding Flare reaction on any attack they see coming to impose disadvantage on the attack roll.

What happens if the attack is an AoE attack that targets other players along with the cleric? My assumption is if it is a single attack roll than everyone gets the buff, but if the attacker rolls for each target than only the cleric benefits.

What happens if the attack is a spell with no attack roll? The RAW forces the cleric to use WF before they know the type of attack. Does WF automatically fail (which doesn't mesh with RAI imo)? Is one of the cleric's uses of WF burned in that case, even though WF didn't apply? Personally, I would house rule WF gives the cleric advantage toward the saving throw from the attack, but that isn't RAW but does feel RAI.

 

[jaelis]

Effects that don't have an attack roll are not (usually) attacks, so Warding Flare would not be triggered in the first place. ("If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack.")

Most multi-target effects use saves. If an effect involves multiple attack rolls against multiple creatures (ie, the ranger's Volley or Whirlwind Attack), only the one against you would have disadvantage, since that is all Warding Flare says.

I can't think of any effects that have one attack roll applied to multiple creatures. But if there is one, then WF would make it be at disadvantage, and since that's the only roll it would impact all the targets.

 

[Staffan]

I can't think of any effects that have one attack roll applied to multiple creatures. But if there is one, then WF would make it be at disadvantage, and since that's the only roll it would impact all the targets.

In theory, you could have an "explosive" attack - hit one target, and deal damage to anything nearby. A quick check through the PHB shows that such spells tend to have their explosive effect both on a hit or a miss - for example, lightning arrow.