Can you target gases and liquids with the Animate Objects spell?

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The spell Animate Objects states:




Choose up to ten nonmagical Objects within range that are not being worn or carried. Medium Targets count as two Objects, Large Targets count as four Objects, Huge Targets count as eight Objects. You can't animate any object larger than Huge. Each target animates and becomes a creature under your control until the spell ends or until reduced to 0 Hit Points.




The spell description doesn't mention the objects needing to be solid, so I was wondering if there are limitations with regards to animating gases or liquids.
Could you choose to animate a cloud of fog or smoke? A puddle? A small pond? Perhaps the contents of a vial of acid?










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  • Related: What is considered an object?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago










  • Related: Can Telekinesis be used to manipulate liquids?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago














up vote
4
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The spell Animate Objects states:




Choose up to ten nonmagical Objects within range that are not being worn or carried. Medium Targets count as two Objects, Large Targets count as four Objects, Huge Targets count as eight Objects. You can't animate any object larger than Huge. Each target animates and becomes a creature under your control until the spell ends or until reduced to 0 Hit Points.




The spell description doesn't mention the objects needing to be solid, so I was wondering if there are limitations with regards to animating gases or liquids.
Could you choose to animate a cloud of fog or smoke? A puddle? A small pond? Perhaps the contents of a vial of acid?










share|improve this question





















  • Related: What is considered an object?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago










  • Related: Can Telekinesis be used to manipulate liquids?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago












up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











The spell Animate Objects states:




Choose up to ten nonmagical Objects within range that are not being worn or carried. Medium Targets count as two Objects, Large Targets count as four Objects, Huge Targets count as eight Objects. You can't animate any object larger than Huge. Each target animates and becomes a creature under your control until the spell ends or until reduced to 0 Hit Points.




The spell description doesn't mention the objects needing to be solid, so I was wondering if there are limitations with regards to animating gases or liquids.
Could you choose to animate a cloud of fog or smoke? A puddle? A small pond? Perhaps the contents of a vial of acid?










share|improve this question













The spell Animate Objects states:




Choose up to ten nonmagical Objects within range that are not being worn or carried. Medium Targets count as two Objects, Large Targets count as four Objects, Huge Targets count as eight Objects. You can't animate any object larger than Huge. Each target animates and becomes a creature under your control until the spell ends or until reduced to 0 Hit Points.




The spell description doesn't mention the objects needing to be solid, so I was wondering if there are limitations with regards to animating gases or liquids.
Could you choose to animate a cloud of fog or smoke? A puddle? A small pond? Perhaps the contents of a vial of acid?







dnd-5e spells






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asked 2 hours ago









user48255

1,877213




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  • Related: What is considered an object?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago










  • Related: Can Telekinesis be used to manipulate liquids?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago
















  • Related: What is considered an object?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago










  • Related: Can Telekinesis be used to manipulate liquids?
    – Slagmoth
    2 hours ago















Related: What is considered an object?
– Slagmoth
2 hours ago




Related: What is considered an object?
– Slagmoth
2 hours ago












Related: Can Telekinesis be used to manipulate liquids?
– Slagmoth
2 hours ago




Related: Can Telekinesis be used to manipulate liquids?
– Slagmoth
2 hours ago










2 Answers
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Nope.



From the DMG at "Objects" (p.246):




For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone....




Your gases and liquids aren't "discrete items" in any natural-language sense of the word, so they're not (game) objects and aren't valid targets for animate objects.






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  • How is a puddle not a 'discrete' object? Unlike a cloud, it's clear on where the puddle begins and ends. I agree on a cloud of gas, but a puddle is a defined shape. Nowhere in that description does it say an object has to be solid.
    – MarkTO
    24 mins ago

















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0
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Yes. Kind of.



The Objects section cited on pg 246 by @nitsua60 says:




For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate
item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone...




But discrete, according to Dictionary.com:




Discrete:



adjective



apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:



...



consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.




Clearly, a puddle or cloud of vapor or gas can be considered 'discrete' by the dictionary definition (DnD does not provide a special definition of a 'discrete' object, however a quantity of water from a larger pond or lake, or a part of a cloud or a fog bank could not be considered discrete. Nor could one cobblestone in the road, unless you dug it out.



So sure, you could Animate any of these things, but nothing about the spell gives them solidity. Your gas cloud couldn't hold itself together, your puddle wouldn't have any integrity to keep it from drying out or being splashed apart. Your DM might rule that such a creature would have 0 hit points from the outset, and the spell would fail immediately. However, animating a nifty water or cloud creature could be a Rule of Cool thing, so give it a try.





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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






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    Nope.



    From the DMG at "Objects" (p.246):




    For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone....




    Your gases and liquids aren't "discrete items" in any natural-language sense of the word, so they're not (game) objects and aren't valid targets for animate objects.






    share|improve this answer




















    • How is a puddle not a 'discrete' object? Unlike a cloud, it's clear on where the puddle begins and ends. I agree on a cloud of gas, but a puddle is a defined shape. Nowhere in that description does it say an object has to be solid.
      – MarkTO
      24 mins ago














    up vote
    4
    down vote













    Nope.



    From the DMG at "Objects" (p.246):




    For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone....




    Your gases and liquids aren't "discrete items" in any natural-language sense of the word, so they're not (game) objects and aren't valid targets for animate objects.






    share|improve this answer




















    • How is a puddle not a 'discrete' object? Unlike a cloud, it's clear on where the puddle begins and ends. I agree on a cloud of gas, but a puddle is a defined shape. Nowhere in that description does it say an object has to be solid.
      – MarkTO
      24 mins ago












    up vote
    4
    down vote










    up vote
    4
    down vote









    Nope.



    From the DMG at "Objects" (p.246):




    For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone....




    Your gases and liquids aren't "discrete items" in any natural-language sense of the word, so they're not (game) objects and aren't valid targets for animate objects.






    share|improve this answer












    Nope.



    From the DMG at "Objects" (p.246):




    For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone....




    Your gases and liquids aren't "discrete items" in any natural-language sense of the word, so they're not (game) objects and aren't valid targets for animate objects.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 1 hour ago









    nitsua60♦

    70k12286411




    70k12286411











    • How is a puddle not a 'discrete' object? Unlike a cloud, it's clear on where the puddle begins and ends. I agree on a cloud of gas, but a puddle is a defined shape. Nowhere in that description does it say an object has to be solid.
      – MarkTO
      24 mins ago
















    • How is a puddle not a 'discrete' object? Unlike a cloud, it's clear on where the puddle begins and ends. I agree on a cloud of gas, but a puddle is a defined shape. Nowhere in that description does it say an object has to be solid.
      – MarkTO
      24 mins ago















    How is a puddle not a 'discrete' object? Unlike a cloud, it's clear on where the puddle begins and ends. I agree on a cloud of gas, but a puddle is a defined shape. Nowhere in that description does it say an object has to be solid.
    – MarkTO
    24 mins ago




    How is a puddle not a 'discrete' object? Unlike a cloud, it's clear on where the puddle begins and ends. I agree on a cloud of gas, but a puddle is a defined shape. Nowhere in that description does it say an object has to be solid.
    – MarkTO
    24 mins ago












    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Yes. Kind of.



    The Objects section cited on pg 246 by @nitsua60 says:




    For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate
    item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone...




    But discrete, according to Dictionary.com:




    Discrete:



    adjective



    apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:



    ...



    consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.




    Clearly, a puddle or cloud of vapor or gas can be considered 'discrete' by the dictionary definition (DnD does not provide a special definition of a 'discrete' object, however a quantity of water from a larger pond or lake, or a part of a cloud or a fog bank could not be considered discrete. Nor could one cobblestone in the road, unless you dug it out.



    So sure, you could Animate any of these things, but nothing about the spell gives them solidity. Your gas cloud couldn't hold itself together, your puddle wouldn't have any integrity to keep it from drying out or being splashed apart. Your DM might rule that such a creature would have 0 hit points from the outset, and the spell would fail immediately. However, animating a nifty water or cloud creature could be a Rule of Cool thing, so give it a try.





    share
























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      Yes. Kind of.



      The Objects section cited on pg 246 by @nitsua60 says:




      For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate
      item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone...




      But discrete, according to Dictionary.com:




      Discrete:



      adjective



      apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:



      ...



      consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.




      Clearly, a puddle or cloud of vapor or gas can be considered 'discrete' by the dictionary definition (DnD does not provide a special definition of a 'discrete' object, however a quantity of water from a larger pond or lake, or a part of a cloud or a fog bank could not be considered discrete. Nor could one cobblestone in the road, unless you dug it out.



      So sure, you could Animate any of these things, but nothing about the spell gives them solidity. Your gas cloud couldn't hold itself together, your puddle wouldn't have any integrity to keep it from drying out or being splashed apart. Your DM might rule that such a creature would have 0 hit points from the outset, and the spell would fail immediately. However, animating a nifty water or cloud creature could be a Rule of Cool thing, so give it a try.





      share






















        up vote
        0
        down vote










        up vote
        0
        down vote









        Yes. Kind of.



        The Objects section cited on pg 246 by @nitsua60 says:




        For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate
        item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone...




        But discrete, according to Dictionary.com:




        Discrete:



        adjective



        apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:



        ...



        consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.




        Clearly, a puddle or cloud of vapor or gas can be considered 'discrete' by the dictionary definition (DnD does not provide a special definition of a 'discrete' object, however a quantity of water from a larger pond or lake, or a part of a cloud or a fog bank could not be considered discrete. Nor could one cobblestone in the road, unless you dug it out.



        So sure, you could Animate any of these things, but nothing about the spell gives them solidity. Your gas cloud couldn't hold itself together, your puddle wouldn't have any integrity to keep it from drying out or being splashed apart. Your DM might rule that such a creature would have 0 hit points from the outset, and the spell would fail immediately. However, animating a nifty water or cloud creature could be a Rule of Cool thing, so give it a try.





        share












        Yes. Kind of.



        The Objects section cited on pg 246 by @nitsua60 says:




        For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate
        item like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone...




        But discrete, according to Dictionary.com:




        Discrete:



        adjective



        apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:



        ...



        consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.




        Clearly, a puddle or cloud of vapor or gas can be considered 'discrete' by the dictionary definition (DnD does not provide a special definition of a 'discrete' object, however a quantity of water from a larger pond or lake, or a part of a cloud or a fog bank could not be considered discrete. Nor could one cobblestone in the road, unless you dug it out.



        So sure, you could Animate any of these things, but nothing about the spell gives them solidity. Your gas cloud couldn't hold itself together, your puddle wouldn't have any integrity to keep it from drying out or being splashed apart. Your DM might rule that such a creature would have 0 hit points from the outset, and the spell would fail immediately. However, animating a nifty water or cloud creature could be a Rule of Cool thing, so give it a try.






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        answered 7 mins ago









        MarkTO

        75813




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