When using area spells such as sleep, do I need to see the targeted grid intersection?
Area spells says this as to how they're aimed:
Area: Some spells affect an area. Sometimes a spell description specifies a specially defined area, but usually an area falls into one of the categories defined below.
Regardless of the shape of the area, you select the point where the spell originates, but otherwise you don't control which creatures or objects the spell affects.
Further more, I need line of effect
Line of Effect: A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is canceled by a solid barrier. It's like line of sight for ranged weapons, except that it's not blocked by fog, darkness, and other factors that limit normal sight.
You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on or to any space in which you wish to create an effect. You must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of any spell you cast.
A burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation spell affects only an area, creature, or object to which it has line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst's center point, a cone-shaped burst's starting point, a cylinder's circle, or an emanation's point of origin).
So I can't target a grid intersection behind a wall. But can I use it in complete darkness or through obscuring mist? It feels a bit much to accurately pinpoint a grid intersection some 100 ft. away.
You need Line of Effect to the target(grid section). As long as you can see it you hit that exact spot. So if someone is 1000 feet away, and you can see that far you can center a fireball spell on them.
As for using the spell in complete darkness(example) you still need line of sight for aiming the spell properly. As for how accurate you will be the rules are silent. That will be up to your GM.
You need Line of Effect to the target(grid section). As long as you can see it you hit that exact spot. So if someone is 1000 feet away, and you can see that far you can center a fireball spell on them.
As for using the spell in complete darkness(example) you still need line of sight for aiming the spell properly. As for how accurate you will be the rules are silent. That will be up to your GM.
Can you cite a rules source? Because line of effect isn't the same as line of sight. I'm not seeing anything about needing to see the targeted grid intersection.
You need Line of Effect to the target(grid section). As long as you can see it you hit that exact spot. So if someone is 1000 feet away, and you can see that far you can center a fireball spell on them.As for using the spell in complete darkness(example) you still need line of sight for aiming the spell properly. As for how accurate you will be the rules are silent. That will be up to your GM.Can you cite a rules source? Because line of effect isn't the same as line of sight. I'm not seeing anything about needing to see the targeted grid intersection.
Nevermind I was thinking you were talking about trying to target an effectively invisible creature by centering the spell on him/her, but you never said anything like that.
You do not need line of sight to aim area of effect spells.
"A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is cancelled by a solid barrier. It's like line of sight for ranged weapons, except that it's not blocked by fog, darkness, and other factors that limit normal sight."
Provided there is no barrier that blocks line of effect, you can target a grid intersection even while effectively blind with respect to your target location.
For example, when casting an area of effect spell such as Fireball, the spell effect continues until it reaches the designated target area or hits a physical object, even if the target grid intersection is outside of your vision range. This would work even if, for example, you were blind due to darkness, a condition effect, or from closing your eyes voluntarily to avoid a gaze attack.