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What specifically counts as “anything” in spell text?

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13

2

$begingroup$

Inspired by this answer to this question about greater invisibility, it occurred to me that certain readings of the spell don't make sense, specifically in relation to this comment.

Is it clarified anywhere in any of the official rulebooks if the word anything includes anyone, or if it just relates to objects and other items that are described as things rather than people?

For an example of a use of anything, from Greater Invisibility:

Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it is on the target’s person.

dnd-5e spells

share|improve this question

edited 9 hours ago

Theik

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asked 9 hours ago

SeriousBriSeriousBri

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$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  If it didn't include carried creatures, that raises the question of what would happen with someone who was inside of a sack that was being carried.
  $endgroup$
  – Admiral Jota
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @admiral Jota as opposed to how many invisible gnome wizards can a barbarian carry? And what happens when one of them casts fireball (assuming normal invisibility)?
  $endgroup$
  – SeriousBri
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

13

2

$begingroup$

Inspired by this answer to this question about greater invisibility, it occurred to me that certain readings of the spell don't make sense, specifically in relation to this comment.

Is it clarified anywhere in any of the official rulebooks if the word anything includes anyone, or if it just relates to objects and other items that are described as things rather than people?

For an example of a use of anything, from Greater Invisibility:

Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it is on the target’s person.

dnd-5e spells

share|improve this question

edited 9 hours ago

Theik

16.3k7171 silver badges9090 bronze badges

asked 9 hours ago

SeriousBriSeriousBri

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$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  If it didn't include carried creatures, that raises the question of what would happen with someone who was inside of a sack that was being carried.
  $endgroup$
  – Admiral Jota
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @admiral Jota as opposed to how many invisible gnome wizards can a barbarian carry? And what happens when one of them casts fireball (assuming normal invisibility)?
  $endgroup$
  – SeriousBri
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

Inspired by this answer to this question about greater invisibility, it occurred to me that certain readings of the spell don't make sense, specifically in relation to this comment.

Is it clarified anywhere in any of the official rulebooks if the word anything includes anyone, or if it just relates to objects and other items that are described as things rather than people?

For an example of a use of anything, from Greater Invisibility:

Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it is on the target’s person.

dnd-5e spells

share|improve this question

edited 9 hours ago

Theik

16.3k7171 silver badges9090 bronze badges

asked 9 hours ago

SeriousBriSeriousBri

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$endgroup$

share|improve this question

edited 9 hours ago

Theik

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asked 9 hours ago

SeriousBriSeriousBri

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share|improve this question

edited 9 hours ago

Theik

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asked 9 hours ago

SeriousBriSeriousBri

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edited 9 hours ago

Theik

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edited 9 hours ago

Theik

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asked 9 hours ago

SeriousBriSeriousBri

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asked 9 hours ago

SeriousBriSeriousBri

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1 Answer
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17

$begingroup$

As far as I am aware, there has been no official ruling on this topic, nor is there anything in the written rules governing this, except for 1 possibility, in that specific rules (such as from a spell) override general rules, if such specific rules exist.

As shown by the spell Create Bonfire:

The bonfire ignites flammable objects in its area that aren't being
worn or carried.

A spell will typically be specific about what is affected by it (in this case specifying objects, which are flammable), and since both Invisibility spells list "anything", but do not specify objects, it would appear that creatures also count.

Also, to address another example, the spell Enlarge/Reduce says:

If the target is a creature, everything it is wearing and carrying
changes size with it. Any item dropped by an affected creature returns
to normal size at once.

This seems to suggest that the effects of Enlarge/Reduce do not apply to carried creatures, given the specific mention "any item" rather than 'anything', for when something is dropped (loses contact).

Basically, it would appear that indeed, if a spell lists the word 'anything' or 'everything', then the effect of the spell would apply to all objects and creatures on that target, unless further text suggests otherwise.

Example from user NautArch: The spell Find Steed allows the user to target their summoned steed as well, which means anything on it would be treated the same as the castor.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

JournerJourner

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New contributor

Journer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  I really like your logic. Also; welcome to the site!
  $endgroup$
  – SeriousBri
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  I was looking at find steed as a specific example of when one creature carrying another (by way of being mounted) nets both creatures a single-target spell effect. But the spell target is the mounted creature, not the mount (the one carrying), so not totally relevant. But an example of a way to get two creatures for one that is specific.
  $endgroup$
  – NautArch
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @NautArch Great example! I would say that in that case, yes, anything the steed carries or wears would be affected the same (and Enlarge/Reduce would be very interesting in that case).
  $endgroup$
  – Journer
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  Feel free to add it to your answer :) Was just something I was considering :)
  $endgroup$
  – NautArch
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  To clarify: does this answer assert that Enlarge/Reduce affects carried creatures, and they will stay Enlarged/Reduced if dropped (since they are not 'items')?
  $endgroup$
  – Matt Vincent
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

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17

$begingroup$

As far as I am aware, there has been no official ruling on this topic, nor is there anything in the written rules governing this, except for 1 possibility, in that specific rules (such as from a spell) override general rules, if such specific rules exist.

As shown by the spell Create Bonfire:

The bonfire ignites flammable objects in its area that aren't being
worn or carried.

A spell will typically be specific about what is affected by it (in this case specifying objects, which are flammable), and since both Invisibility spells list "anything", but do not specify objects, it would appear that creatures also count.

Also, to address another example, the spell Enlarge/Reduce says:

If the target is a creature, everything it is wearing and carrying
changes size with it. Any item dropped by an affected creature returns
to normal size at once.

This seems to suggest that the effects of Enlarge/Reduce do not apply to carried creatures, given the specific mention "any item" rather than 'anything', for when something is dropped (loses contact).

Basically, it would appear that indeed, if a spell lists the word 'anything' or 'everything', then the effect of the spell would apply to all objects and creatures on that target, unless further text suggests otherwise.

Example from user NautArch: The spell Find Steed allows the user to target their summoned steed as well, which means anything on it would be treated the same as the castor.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

JournerJourner

21977 bronze badges

New contributor

Journer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  I really like your logic. Also; welcome to the site!
  $endgroup$
  – SeriousBri
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  I was looking at find steed as a specific example of when one creature carrying another (by way of being mounted) nets both creatures a single-target spell effect. But the spell target is the mounted creature, not the mount (the one carrying), so not totally relevant. But an example of a way to get two creatures for one that is specific.
  $endgroup$
  – NautArch
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @NautArch Great example! I would say that in that case, yes, anything the steed carries or wears would be affected the same (and Enlarge/Reduce would be very interesting in that case).
  $endgroup$
  – Journer
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  Feel free to add it to your answer :) Was just something I was considering :)
  $endgroup$
  – NautArch
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  To clarify: does this answer assert that Enlarge/Reduce affects carried creatures, and they will stay Enlarged/Reduced if dropped (since they are not 'items')?
  $endgroup$
  – Matt Vincent
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

17

$begingroup$

As far as I am aware, there has been no official ruling on this topic, nor is there anything in the written rules governing this, except for 1 possibility, in that specific rules (such as from a spell) override general rules, if such specific rules exist.

As shown by the spell Create Bonfire:

The bonfire ignites flammable objects in its area that aren't being
worn or carried.

A spell will typically be specific about what is affected by it (in this case specifying objects, which are flammable), and since both Invisibility spells list "anything", but do not specify objects, it would appear that creatures also count.

Also, to address another example, the spell Enlarge/Reduce says:

If the target is a creature, everything it is wearing and carrying
changes size with it. Any item dropped by an affected creature returns
to normal size at once.

This seems to suggest that the effects of Enlarge/Reduce do not apply to carried creatures, given the specific mention "any item" rather than 'anything', for when something is dropped (loses contact).

Basically, it would appear that indeed, if a spell lists the word 'anything' or 'everything', then the effect of the spell would apply to all objects and creatures on that target, unless further text suggests otherwise.

Example from user NautArch: The spell Find Steed allows the user to target their summoned steed as well, which means anything on it would be treated the same as the castor.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

JournerJourner

21977 bronze badges

New contributor

Journer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  I really like your logic. Also; welcome to the site!
  $endgroup$
  – SeriousBri
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  I was looking at find steed as a specific example of when one creature carrying another (by way of being mounted) nets both creatures a single-target spell effect. But the spell target is the mounted creature, not the mount (the one carrying), so not totally relevant. But an example of a way to get two creatures for one that is specific.
  $endgroup$
  – NautArch
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @NautArch Great example! I would say that in that case, yes, anything the steed carries or wears would be affected the same (and Enlarge/Reduce would be very interesting in that case).
  $endgroup$
  – Journer
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  Feel free to add it to your answer :) Was just something I was considering :)
  $endgroup$
  – NautArch
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  To clarify: does this answer assert that Enlarge/Reduce affects carried creatures, and they will stay Enlarged/Reduced if dropped (since they are not 'items')?
  $endgroup$
  – Matt Vincent
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

$begingroup$

As far as I am aware, there has been no official ruling on this topic, nor is there anything in the written rules governing this, except for 1 possibility, in that specific rules (such as from a spell) override general rules, if such specific rules exist.

As shown by the spell Create Bonfire:

The bonfire ignites flammable objects in its area that aren't being
worn or carried.

A spell will typically be specific about what is affected by it (in this case specifying objects, which are flammable), and since both Invisibility spells list "anything", but do not specify objects, it would appear that creatures also count.

Also, to address another example, the spell Enlarge/Reduce says:

If the target is a creature, everything it is wearing and carrying
changes size with it. Any item dropped by an affected creature returns
to normal size at once.

This seems to suggest that the effects of Enlarge/Reduce do not apply to carried creatures, given the specific mention "any item" rather than 'anything', for when something is dropped (loses contact).

Basically, it would appear that indeed, if a spell lists the word 'anything' or 'everything', then the effect of the spell would apply to all objects and creatures on that target, unless further text suggests otherwise.

Example from user NautArch: The spell Find Steed allows the user to target their summoned steed as well, which means anything on it would be treated the same as the castor.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

JournerJourner

21977 bronze badges

New contributor

Journer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

$endgroup$

share|improve this answer

edited 5 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

JournerJourner

21977 bronze badges

New contributor

Journer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 7 hours ago

JournerJourner

21977 bronze badges

New contributor

Journer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 7 hours ago

JournerJourner

21977 bronze badges