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This may seem like a no-brainer, but the non-errata-ed rules in the PHB aren't entirely clear on this point, that I can recall.

So if an enemy is in directly in front of where your wizard wants to cast a Shock Sphere or similar effect, can the mage still cast the Shock Sphere behind the enemy?

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Interesting thought: Literal animated walls that slide around the room on rails could produce an absolutely fascinating battlefield. Especially if different floor sections "spun". I believe they'd be counted as hazards rather than enemies though. –  Brian Ballsun-Stanton Apr 4 '11 at 3:08
Think of it this way: Could you conceivably throw whatever it is you're wanting to send to the other side of the room, over or around the enemy? –  Iszi Apr 4 '11 at 12:25

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up vote 8 down vote accepted


Area attacks are governed by their own rules:


Therefore we need something called "line of effect" but any kind of concealment doesn't matter.

Line of effect is:

A clear line from one point to another point in an encounter that doesn’t pass through or touch blocking terrain. Unless noted otherwise, there must be line of effect between the origin square of an effect and its intended target for that target to be affected.

From a trivial case, blocking terrain blocks line of effect:

A type of terrain that blocks squares, often by filling them. Examples: Walls, doors, and large pillars. Blocking terrain provides cover, interferes with movement around it, and blocks line of effect. It also blocks line of sight, unless it’s transparent.

Therefore, since blocking terrain is a separate feature to cover (though cover is a way of determining "not quite blocking" terrain) enemies who merely grant cover do not count as blocking terrain. Therefore they do not block line of effect.

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