Blind Spellcasters

[SmiloDan]

There are a lot of spells that affect "a target you can see."

Does this mean blind spellcasters (or those effectively unable to see due to darkness, mist or fog, invisibility, stealth) cannot use those spells?

[Lorathorn]

I would certainly say so. It'd be the same as though they were behind a wall.

[Dustin Ashe]

SmiloDan wrote:

There are a lot of spells that affect "a target you can see."

Does this mean blind spellcasters (or those effectively unable to see due to darkness, mist or fog, invisibility, stealth) cannot use those spells?

I would assume so, which is why the blinded condition can present really serious drawbacks to a spellcaster.

But for a player who wanted to play a character who was permanently blind (perhaps from birth), I'd probably rule that the PC had had enough time living with his or her blindness that he or she had discovered a way around its disadvantages when it came to spellcasting.

[Lorathorn]

It might even require some kind of a perception check (listen for where the target is, etc) with disadvantage to try and target the creature in question. Of course, this would have to work both ways (for characters ready to exploit invisibility against spellcasters).

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

SmiloDan wrote:

There are a lot of spells that affect "a target you can see."

Does this mean blind spellcasters (or those effectively unable to see due to darkness, mist or fog, invisibility, stealth) cannot use those spells?

If you can't perceive your foe, you can't target them.

[Jiggy]

SmiloDan wrote:

There are a lot of spells that affect "a target you can see."

Does this mean blind spellcasters (or those effectively unable to see due to darkness, mist or fog, invisibility, stealth) cannot use those spells?

Would you ask the same question about spells that affect "a target with X creature type" or "a willing target" or any other targeting restrictions?

If a spell only affects targets with a given quality, and there are no targets available with that quality, then you can't use that spell. If the quality in question was to be a fiend or an undead, or to be a willing recipient, or to be a creature with 0 HP, there wouldn't be a thread here asking if you really can't use those spells without a qualifying target available.

Why is it different when the qualification is "target you can see"?

[SmiloDan]

The reason for this question:

In an upcoming session, I plan on the PCs coming into contact with a coven of green hags. I also plan on an allied Eye of Gruumsh to have the coven's hag eye. And I expect the PCs to destroy the hag eye at some point (I also plan on having a guardian troll have it if the PCs don't destroy the orc's or take a long rest so the blinded hags can make a new eye).

So, the PCs will most likely be encountering 3 blind hags. I went through their coven spell list, and most require vision to target (ray of sickness and lightning bolt do not, and I can use disadvantage on attack rolls/advantage on saving throws to adjudicate those spells).

So, this is going to severely hamper the hags. Enough to affect the CR? Maybe, but I'll award the full XP because it's our emergency campaign, so leveling up fast is encouraged.

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

SmiloDan wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

Green Hags still have normal eyes.

[SmiloDan]

If you destroy their hag eye, they are blinded until they finish a long rest.

[Lorathorn]

Emergency campaign?

[SmiloDan]

For when the regular DM cannot make it.