What is the purpose of the Evocation wizard's Potent Cantrip feature?












5












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The School of Evocation wizard's Potent Cantrip feature (PHB, p. 117) says:




Starting at 6th level, when a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




As I read it, the feature only affects evocation cantrips that require a saving throw. There are none in of these in the basic rule book. Is this a typo?










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    5












    $begingroup$


    The School of Evocation wizard's Potent Cantrip feature (PHB, p. 117) says:




    Starting at 6th level, when a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




    As I read it, the feature only affects evocation cantrips that require a saving throw. There are none in of these in the basic rule book. Is this a typo?










    share|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      5












      5








      5





      $begingroup$


      The School of Evocation wizard's Potent Cantrip feature (PHB, p. 117) says:




      Starting at 6th level, when a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




      As I read it, the feature only affects evocation cantrips that require a saving throw. There are none in of these in the basic rule book. Is this a typo?










      share|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      The School of Evocation wizard's Potent Cantrip feature (PHB, p. 117) says:




      Starting at 6th level, when a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




      As I read it, the feature only affects evocation cantrips that require a saving throw. There are none in of these in the basic rule book. Is this a typo?







      dnd-5e class-feature wizard saving-throw cantrips






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













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      share|improve this question








      edited 6 hours ago









      V2Blast

      25.7k488158




      25.7k488158










      asked 9 hours ago









      Wes F.Wes F.

      503




      503






















          3 Answers
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          33












          $begingroup$

          The Feature does not only apply to Evocation Spells



          The feature you are talking about says the following:




          Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip’s damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




          There is no mention of Evocation spells in the write-up. If it only worked on those, it would say so.



          For comparison, see the Level 10 Evoker Feature




          Empowered Evocation



          Beginning at 10th level, you can add your Intelligence modifier to one damage roll of any wizard evocation spell you cast.




          Note how this feature specifically says it only works on Evocation Spells. And, again, with the Second-level Evoker Feature




          Sculpt Spells



          Beginning at 2nd level, you can create pockets of relative safety within the effects of your evocation spells. When you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures that you can see, you can choose a number of them equal to 1 + the spell’s level. The chosen creatures automatically succeed on their saving throws against the spell, and they take no damage if they would normally take half damage on a successful save.




          Source for all quotes



          Potent Cantrip says that it works on "damaging cantrips." If it only worked on Evocation Cantrips, it would instead say something like "Evocation cantrips that deal damage."



          Therefore, the following Cantrips from the Core Rulebook are valid under Potent Cantrip:




          • Acid Splash

          • Poison Spray


          Once you extend out to the rest of the Rulebooks, you also add the following to the list.




          • Create Bonfire

          • Frostbite

          • Infestation

          • Lightning Lure

          • Sword Burst

          • Thunderclap

          • Toll the Dead


          An additional note to add is that the feature does not say it only applies to wizard cantrips that you cast. So if you gain access to Sacred Flame or Word of Radiance through Multiclassing or Feats, Potent Cantrip would apply to those as well.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$





















            12












            $begingroup$

            A cantrip doesn't need to be evocation to be affected by Potent Cantrip



            Potent Cantrip simply states




            Your damaging cantrips ...




            So it applies to all damaging cantrips with saving throws. 2 of these are acid splash and poison spray, but here is a comprehensive list of all wizard cantrips with saving throws.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$





















              7












              $begingroup$

              It doesn't have to be an Evocation cantrip.



              From the School of Evocation:




              Potent Cantrip



              Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect
              even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When
              a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your
              cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if
              any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.



              --- Player's Handbook, p. 117




              There's no mention of it only being evocation cantrips; therefore, it applies to any cantrip that requires a saving throw.






              share|improve this answer











              $endgroup$














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                3 Answers
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                3 Answers
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                33












                $begingroup$

                The Feature does not only apply to Evocation Spells



                The feature you are talking about says the following:




                Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip’s damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




                There is no mention of Evocation spells in the write-up. If it only worked on those, it would say so.



                For comparison, see the Level 10 Evoker Feature




                Empowered Evocation



                Beginning at 10th level, you can add your Intelligence modifier to one damage roll of any wizard evocation spell you cast.




                Note how this feature specifically says it only works on Evocation Spells. And, again, with the Second-level Evoker Feature




                Sculpt Spells



                Beginning at 2nd level, you can create pockets of relative safety within the effects of your evocation spells. When you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures that you can see, you can choose a number of them equal to 1 + the spell’s level. The chosen creatures automatically succeed on their saving throws against the spell, and they take no damage if they would normally take half damage on a successful save.




                Source for all quotes



                Potent Cantrip says that it works on "damaging cantrips." If it only worked on Evocation Cantrips, it would instead say something like "Evocation cantrips that deal damage."



                Therefore, the following Cantrips from the Core Rulebook are valid under Potent Cantrip:




                • Acid Splash

                • Poison Spray


                Once you extend out to the rest of the Rulebooks, you also add the following to the list.




                • Create Bonfire

                • Frostbite

                • Infestation

                • Lightning Lure

                • Sword Burst

                • Thunderclap

                • Toll the Dead


                An additional note to add is that the feature does not say it only applies to wizard cantrips that you cast. So if you gain access to Sacred Flame or Word of Radiance through Multiclassing or Feats, Potent Cantrip would apply to those as well.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$


















                  33












                  $begingroup$

                  The Feature does not only apply to Evocation Spells



                  The feature you are talking about says the following:




                  Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip’s damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




                  There is no mention of Evocation spells in the write-up. If it only worked on those, it would say so.



                  For comparison, see the Level 10 Evoker Feature




                  Empowered Evocation



                  Beginning at 10th level, you can add your Intelligence modifier to one damage roll of any wizard evocation spell you cast.




                  Note how this feature specifically says it only works on Evocation Spells. And, again, with the Second-level Evoker Feature




                  Sculpt Spells



                  Beginning at 2nd level, you can create pockets of relative safety within the effects of your evocation spells. When you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures that you can see, you can choose a number of them equal to 1 + the spell’s level. The chosen creatures automatically succeed on their saving throws against the spell, and they take no damage if they would normally take half damage on a successful save.




                  Source for all quotes



                  Potent Cantrip says that it works on "damaging cantrips." If it only worked on Evocation Cantrips, it would instead say something like "Evocation cantrips that deal damage."



                  Therefore, the following Cantrips from the Core Rulebook are valid under Potent Cantrip:




                  • Acid Splash

                  • Poison Spray


                  Once you extend out to the rest of the Rulebooks, you also add the following to the list.




                  • Create Bonfire

                  • Frostbite

                  • Infestation

                  • Lightning Lure

                  • Sword Burst

                  • Thunderclap

                  • Toll the Dead


                  An additional note to add is that the feature does not say it only applies to wizard cantrips that you cast. So if you gain access to Sacred Flame or Word of Radiance through Multiclassing or Feats, Potent Cantrip would apply to those as well.






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$
















                    33












                    33








                    33





                    $begingroup$

                    The Feature does not only apply to Evocation Spells



                    The feature you are talking about says the following:




                    Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip’s damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




                    There is no mention of Evocation spells in the write-up. If it only worked on those, it would say so.



                    For comparison, see the Level 10 Evoker Feature




                    Empowered Evocation



                    Beginning at 10th level, you can add your Intelligence modifier to one damage roll of any wizard evocation spell you cast.




                    Note how this feature specifically says it only works on Evocation Spells. And, again, with the Second-level Evoker Feature




                    Sculpt Spells



                    Beginning at 2nd level, you can create pockets of relative safety within the effects of your evocation spells. When you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures that you can see, you can choose a number of them equal to 1 + the spell’s level. The chosen creatures automatically succeed on their saving throws against the spell, and they take no damage if they would normally take half damage on a successful save.




                    Source for all quotes



                    Potent Cantrip says that it works on "damaging cantrips." If it only worked on Evocation Cantrips, it would instead say something like "Evocation cantrips that deal damage."



                    Therefore, the following Cantrips from the Core Rulebook are valid under Potent Cantrip:




                    • Acid Splash

                    • Poison Spray


                    Once you extend out to the rest of the Rulebooks, you also add the following to the list.




                    • Create Bonfire

                    • Frostbite

                    • Infestation

                    • Lightning Lure

                    • Sword Burst

                    • Thunderclap

                    • Toll the Dead


                    An additional note to add is that the feature does not say it only applies to wizard cantrips that you cast. So if you gain access to Sacred Flame or Word of Radiance through Multiclassing or Feats, Potent Cantrip would apply to those as well.






                    share|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$



                    The Feature does not only apply to Evocation Spells



                    The feature you are talking about says the following:




                    Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip’s damage (if any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.




                    There is no mention of Evocation spells in the write-up. If it only worked on those, it would say so.



                    For comparison, see the Level 10 Evoker Feature




                    Empowered Evocation



                    Beginning at 10th level, you can add your Intelligence modifier to one damage roll of any wizard evocation spell you cast.




                    Note how this feature specifically says it only works on Evocation Spells. And, again, with the Second-level Evoker Feature




                    Sculpt Spells



                    Beginning at 2nd level, you can create pockets of relative safety within the effects of your evocation spells. When you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures that you can see, you can choose a number of them equal to 1 + the spell’s level. The chosen creatures automatically succeed on their saving throws against the spell, and they take no damage if they would normally take half damage on a successful save.




                    Source for all quotes



                    Potent Cantrip says that it works on "damaging cantrips." If it only worked on Evocation Cantrips, it would instead say something like "Evocation cantrips that deal damage."



                    Therefore, the following Cantrips from the Core Rulebook are valid under Potent Cantrip:




                    • Acid Splash

                    • Poison Spray


                    Once you extend out to the rest of the Rulebooks, you also add the following to the list.




                    • Create Bonfire

                    • Frostbite

                    • Infestation

                    • Lightning Lure

                    • Sword Burst

                    • Thunderclap

                    • Toll the Dead


                    An additional note to add is that the feature does not say it only applies to wizard cantrips that you cast. So if you gain access to Sacred Flame or Word of Radiance through Multiclassing or Feats, Potent Cantrip would apply to those as well.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 9 hours ago









                    guildsbountyguildsbounty

                    36.3k7150180




                    36.3k7150180

























                        12












                        $begingroup$

                        A cantrip doesn't need to be evocation to be affected by Potent Cantrip



                        Potent Cantrip simply states




                        Your damaging cantrips ...




                        So it applies to all damaging cantrips with saving throws. 2 of these are acid splash and poison spray, but here is a comprehensive list of all wizard cantrips with saving throws.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$


















                          12












                          $begingroup$

                          A cantrip doesn't need to be evocation to be affected by Potent Cantrip



                          Potent Cantrip simply states




                          Your damaging cantrips ...




                          So it applies to all damaging cantrips with saving throws. 2 of these are acid splash and poison spray, but here is a comprehensive list of all wizard cantrips with saving throws.






                          share|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$
















                            12












                            12








                            12





                            $begingroup$

                            A cantrip doesn't need to be evocation to be affected by Potent Cantrip



                            Potent Cantrip simply states




                            Your damaging cantrips ...




                            So it applies to all damaging cantrips with saving throws. 2 of these are acid splash and poison spray, but here is a comprehensive list of all wizard cantrips with saving throws.






                            share|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$



                            A cantrip doesn't need to be evocation to be affected by Potent Cantrip



                            Potent Cantrip simply states




                            Your damaging cantrips ...




                            So it applies to all damaging cantrips with saving throws. 2 of these are acid splash and poison spray, but here is a comprehensive list of all wizard cantrips with saving throws.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 9 hours ago









                            Blake SteelBlake Steel

                            4,2781951




                            4,2781951























                                7












                                $begingroup$

                                It doesn't have to be an Evocation cantrip.



                                From the School of Evocation:




                                Potent Cantrip



                                Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect
                                even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When
                                a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your
                                cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if
                                any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.



                                --- Player's Handbook, p. 117




                                There's no mention of it only being evocation cantrips; therefore, it applies to any cantrip that requires a saving throw.






                                share|improve this answer











                                $endgroup$


















                                  7












                                  $begingroup$

                                  It doesn't have to be an Evocation cantrip.



                                  From the School of Evocation:




                                  Potent Cantrip



                                  Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect
                                  even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When
                                  a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your
                                  cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if
                                  any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.



                                  --- Player's Handbook, p. 117




                                  There's no mention of it only being evocation cantrips; therefore, it applies to any cantrip that requires a saving throw.






                                  share|improve this answer











                                  $endgroup$
















                                    7












                                    7








                                    7





                                    $begingroup$

                                    It doesn't have to be an Evocation cantrip.



                                    From the School of Evocation:




                                    Potent Cantrip



                                    Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect
                                    even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When
                                    a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your
                                    cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if
                                    any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.



                                    --- Player's Handbook, p. 117




                                    There's no mention of it only being evocation cantrips; therefore, it applies to any cantrip that requires a saving throw.






                                    share|improve this answer











                                    $endgroup$



                                    It doesn't have to be an Evocation cantrip.



                                    From the School of Evocation:




                                    Potent Cantrip



                                    Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect
                                    even creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When
                                    a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your
                                    cantrip, the creature takes half the cantrip's damage (if
                                    any) but suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.



                                    --- Player's Handbook, p. 117




                                    There's no mention of it only being evocation cantrips; therefore, it applies to any cantrip that requires a saving throw.







                                    share|improve this answer














                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer








                                    edited 6 hours ago









                                    V2Blast

                                    25.7k488158




                                    25.7k488158










                                    answered 9 hours ago









                                    Someone_EvilSomeone_Evil

                                    28416




                                    28416






























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