Should the "Spirit Object" (Rare Baba Yaga Patreon Hex Cantrip) have the attack trait?

[Yelenalka]

The "Spirit Object" hex doesn't have the attack trait.

That might be intentional - treating the target object as if it were an animated or summoned minion for one round.

Or it may have been left off in order to avoid confusion if one casts the one-action version that doesn't attack, with the assumption being that the two-action version was "obviously" an attack spell.

Or it might have been an oversight, since in the two-action version the attack roll is made using the caster's "spell attack roll."

The answer to this question will held determine whether or not Baba Yaga witches should even bother considering carrying a sling.

[Cordell Kintner]

The spell itself should not have it, but they should have added a line that adds it if you use two actions.

Something like:

Quote:

If you spent 2 actions Casting the Spell, this spell gains the attack trait, and the object then attacks one creature of your choice adjacent to its new space.

[Squiggit]

Hard to say. Every other cantrip that forces a spell attack has the attack trait. From that perspective it feels like an oversight.

On the other hand, as you point out, the flavor describes the animated object making the attack rather than you specifically (contrast with spiritual weapon, which specifically calls out that the weapon adds to your own MAP).
Plus, mechanically the lack of the attack trait is the only thing that makes the offensive application of the spell stand out compared to its alternatives.
So in that respect it might be a design choice.

Who knows.

[Alchemic_Genius]

Well, the cantrip is worse damage wise than the very similar telekinetic projectile, and it only better as an attack situationally (i.e., when you have something big enough to move that it creates an obstacle).

On the other hand, it does basically act similar to both mage hand and TK projectile, so even if it did have the attack trait, it's still a handy little cantrip to have

[Cordell Kintner]

I plan to eventually make a corpse move and attack people, because it would be funny. Yea it's less damage but the horror of seeing your fallen ally spawn a dozen baby legs, walk up to you and attack is just not something other cantrip can reproduce.

[Alchemic_Genius]

Cordell Kintner wrote:

I plan to eventually make a corpse move and attack people, because it would be funny. Yea it's less damage but the horror of seeing your fallen ally spawn a dozen baby legs, walk up to you and attack is just not something other cantrip can reproduce.

Absolutely. I'm playing around with an idea for a sleepy dream witch who uses the cantrip to animate her bed and attacks invaders by bringing tables and chairs to life