Murderous command spell (UM)

[Joël of the FoS]

Would like your wisdom on the Murderous Command spell:

if save is failed, the target has a mental urge to kill its nearest ally. If necessary, it moves to or charges to the nearest ally in order to make this attack.

But if there is a hazard between him an the nearest ally - like a blade barrier? Would the target pass through to get to attack the nearest ally?

[Dread Knight]

I'd say yes since it says to the best of their ability.

[Blakmane]

Joël of the FoS wrote:

Would like your wisdom on the Murderous Command spell:

if save is failed, the target has a mental urge to kill its nearest ally. If necessary, it moves to or charges to the nearest ally in order to make this attack.

But if there is a hazard between him an the nearest ally - like a blade barrier? Would the target pass through to get to attack the nearest ally?

If the barrier is passable, yes. 'To the best of its ability' suggests taking risks, like damage from a blade barrier. However, the spell doesn't say it must move directly towards: if the target can still reach the ally in one turn by going around the wall, it can do so (and indeed is probably compelled to, as this is a better decision).

If the barrier is impassable or clearly certain death (say, prismatic wall or a wall of fire when the target is on 2 HP and certain to die), obviously 'to the best of its ability' in this case gives it a good reason to avoid the barrier, even if it means it cannot reach the target.

Think of it like this: the target should act like their nearest ally is the BBEG casting a world-ending genocide spell. The only way to prevent the spell going off is to attack the BBEG in melee this turn. In this situation it is easy to see how a target would walk through a blade barrier to get to the ally, but perhaps not a prismatic wall as their certain death accomplishes nothing.

[Zwordsman]

The spell
You give the target a mental urge to kill its nearest ally, which it obeys to the best of its ability. The target attacks its nearest ally on its next turn with a melee weapon or natural weapon. If necessary, it moves to or charges to the nearest ally in order to make this attack. If it is unable to reach its closest ally on its next turn, the target uses its turn to get as close as possible to the ally.

I've heard arguements saying that they would still attempt to get through--because the character themselves don't know they wouldn't survive for sure.. but I personally think if they are messed up enough that they're nearly dead they probably realize they couldn't make it through to attack.

in the above situation where it can't get through the firewall/prysmatic wall without ABSOLUTE certain death. He would, I think be inclined to improvised weapon throw his weapon.. Because no matter what he feels like he needs to do absolutely everything in his power to kill using his weapon. he's so tunneled vision on driving that weapon into that target that they don't even think of pulling a ranged weapon to attack with instead. the spell specifically calls out melee weapon and natural attacks. Which means that guy with a bow will either try a punch (possibly provoking AOO) or try improvised attack with their bow-also possibly breaking it I guess.

[Joël of the FoS]

Interesting guidelines, thank you guys :)