Spell descriptor and target

[TheApapalypse]

When Charm Person is cast part of the the description is

Target: One humanoid creature.

Certain races/species have Humanoid features but are technically not "humanoid" ....

Demons for example:

Babau
CE Medium outsider (chaotic, demon, evil, extraplanar)

Can I cast charm person on such a creature... mean humanoid...I mean....outsider?

[Azothath]

back to the Magic Basics and Aiming a Spell.
Target refers to creature or object, or more exacting for creatures - the creature type, not shape. When you look at monster entries you will always see a creature type like; aberration, humanoid, monstrous humanoid, outsider, etc. The term "native" was introduced to allow targeting for aasimars etc for some spells, so it is a term to look for. At times you may see a Game Role or category in Target like; you {which is a personal spell}, mount, familiar, ally, etc.
Thus charm person:E1 does not affect outsiders (demon, devil, etc) or monstrous humanoids (giant, etc).
The first line in the description also points you to creature type, "This charm makes a humanoid creature regard you as its trusted friend and ally..." {bolding added for emphasis}

RAW is in descriptive common english rather than more exacting techincal english. So you have to read it then generally go with the common simple interpretation rather than get too literal or parse the phrases into independent parts. Sometimes people 'overthink' their interpretation of RAW.

[Name Violation]

humanoid creature type. not human shaped creature

[TheApapalypse]

Azothath wrote:

back to the Magic Basics and Aiming a Spell.

Target refers to creature or object, or more exacting for creatures - the creature type, not shape. When you look at monster entries you will always see a creature type like; aberration, humanoid, monstrous humanoid, outsider, etc. The term "native" was introduced to allow targeting for aasimars etc for some spells, so it is a term to look for. At times you may see a Game Role or category in Target like; you {which is a personal spell}, mount, familiar, ally, etc.
Thus charm person:E1 does not affect outsiders (demon, devil, etc) or monstrous humanoids (giant, etc).
The first line in the description also points you to creature type, "This charm makes a humanoid creature regard you as its trusted friend and ally..." {bolding added for emphasis}

RAW is in descriptive common english rather than more exacting techincal english. So you have to read it then generally go with the common simple interpretation rather than get too literal or parse the phrases into independent parts. Sometimes people 'overthink' their interpretation of RAW.

That makes it clear thank you.