Can the Shape Water Cantrip be used to manipulate blood?












5












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As you can manipulate water within a 5 ft cube and most medium sized creatures can fit in that size space, can I manipulate their blood? I'd figured you could move the blood just the same as water and move the blood out of a creatures wounds, effectively making them die from blood loss. As well as being able to freeze the blood.



Shape water states,




You freeze the water, provided that there are no creatures in it.




As the blood is in the creature not the other way around, I figured it would work. But I wanted some other opinions to make sure my idea was plausible.



Can you could use Shape Water in such a way?










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  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Related: How can one use the Shape Water cantrip offensively?
    $endgroup$
    – goodguy5
    14 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to rpg.se! Be sure to take the tour. Good first question!
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    14 hours ago
















5












$begingroup$


As you can manipulate water within a 5 ft cube and most medium sized creatures can fit in that size space, can I manipulate their blood? I'd figured you could move the blood just the same as water and move the blood out of a creatures wounds, effectively making them die from blood loss. As well as being able to freeze the blood.



Shape water states,




You freeze the water, provided that there are no creatures in it.




As the blood is in the creature not the other way around, I figured it would work. But I wanted some other opinions to make sure my idea was plausible.



Can you could use Shape Water in such a way?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Sarcasm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Related: How can one use the Shape Water cantrip offensively?
    $endgroup$
    – goodguy5
    14 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to rpg.se! Be sure to take the tour. Good first question!
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    14 hours ago














5












5








5





$begingroup$


As you can manipulate water within a 5 ft cube and most medium sized creatures can fit in that size space, can I manipulate their blood? I'd figured you could move the blood just the same as water and move the blood out of a creatures wounds, effectively making them die from blood loss. As well as being able to freeze the blood.



Shape water states,




You freeze the water, provided that there are no creatures in it.




As the blood is in the creature not the other way around, I figured it would work. But I wanted some other opinions to make sure my idea was plausible.



Can you could use Shape Water in such a way?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Sarcasm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




As you can manipulate water within a 5 ft cube and most medium sized creatures can fit in that size space, can I manipulate their blood? I'd figured you could move the blood just the same as water and move the blood out of a creatures wounds, effectively making them die from blood loss. As well as being able to freeze the blood.



Shape water states,




You freeze the water, provided that there are no creatures in it.




As the blood is in the creature not the other way around, I figured it would work. But I wanted some other opinions to make sure my idea was plausible.



Can you could use Shape Water in such a way?







dnd-5e spells






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Sarcasm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











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edited 14 hours ago









Blake Steel

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asked 15 hours ago









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  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Related: How can one use the Shape Water cantrip offensively?
    $endgroup$
    – goodguy5
    14 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to rpg.se! Be sure to take the tour. Good first question!
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    14 hours ago














  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Related: How can one use the Shape Water cantrip offensively?
    $endgroup$
    – goodguy5
    14 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to rpg.se! Be sure to take the tour. Good first question!
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    14 hours ago








2




2




$begingroup$
Related: How can one use the Shape Water cantrip offensively?
$endgroup$
– goodguy5
14 hours ago






$begingroup$
Related: How can one use the Shape Water cantrip offensively?
$endgroup$
– goodguy5
14 hours ago














$begingroup$
Welcome to rpg.se! Be sure to take the tour. Good first question!
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
14 hours ago




$begingroup$
Welcome to rpg.se! Be sure to take the tour. Good first question!
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
14 hours ago










2 Answers
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18












$begingroup$

No, this will not work RAW*



It's not water



Shape Water specifically states it only works with water (emphasis mine):




You choose an area of water that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube.




Had they wanted it to work with any other liquid, it wouldn't have used the term "water". Things that contain water are not the same thing, this is just about shaping water.



And you can't see it



In addition, there is the sight requirement. Blood in the body is not generally visible. Blood outside the body, but even if you allowed shaping that, it won't generally cause much harm (the harm's already been done). But that's also up to the DM as to what injuries are visible.



Either way, blood isn't water (isn't it thicker?) and you can't see it so shape water won't be able to be used with blood.



*There also aren't any rules regarding Creative Use of Spells, but it's very much going to be up to your DM if they do want to allow this. But I doubt a DM would be willing to give a cantrip the power level this might be.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    To add on, WotC have stated that spells involving water, such as create and destroy water, don't work on people
    $endgroup$
    – Peregrine Lennert
    14 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @PeregrineLennert Do you have a source for that? I'm generally trying to avoid tweets to support my answers, but if they've done an errata or a printed sage advice, I'd be more amenable :)
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    14 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Wouldn't that mean that the spell works on the water in the blood, leaving behind the non-water bits of blood?
    $endgroup$
    – vicky_molokh
    14 hours ago






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    @vicky_molokh: You're overthinking it. Or, rather, thinking too scientifically. A laudable talent in the real world, but not for a game with specific set of rules. As far as spells go (and all the rules, really), they need to be taken "as is", otherwise you risk rather a lot of rules-abuse! So here: water=water, blood=blood, water≠blood.
    $endgroup$
    – PJRZ
    14 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @NautArch Nice revision, +1 already in the box. (chortle)
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    14 hours ago



















6












$begingroup$

The spell specifically refers to water and does not mention any other liquid. Blood is mostly water, yes, but blood is not water. With that sort of leeway (particularly on a cantrip) you could end up with some truly terrifying power. This would enable you to manipulate most living things in the environment. I do not think that this is what is intended with this spell.






share|improve this answer








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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






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    active

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    18












    $begingroup$

    No, this will not work RAW*



    It's not water



    Shape Water specifically states it only works with water (emphasis mine):




    You choose an area of water that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube.




    Had they wanted it to work with any other liquid, it wouldn't have used the term "water". Things that contain water are not the same thing, this is just about shaping water.



    And you can't see it



    In addition, there is the sight requirement. Blood in the body is not generally visible. Blood outside the body, but even if you allowed shaping that, it won't generally cause much harm (the harm's already been done). But that's also up to the DM as to what injuries are visible.



    Either way, blood isn't water (isn't it thicker?) and you can't see it so shape water won't be able to be used with blood.



    *There also aren't any rules regarding Creative Use of Spells, but it's very much going to be up to your DM if they do want to allow this. But I doubt a DM would be willing to give a cantrip the power level this might be.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      To add on, WotC have stated that spells involving water, such as create and destroy water, don't work on people
      $endgroup$
      – Peregrine Lennert
      14 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @PeregrineLennert Do you have a source for that? I'm generally trying to avoid tweets to support my answers, but if they've done an errata or a printed sage advice, I'd be more amenable :)
      $endgroup$
      – NautArch
      14 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Wouldn't that mean that the spell works on the water in the blood, leaving behind the non-water bits of blood?
      $endgroup$
      – vicky_molokh
      14 hours ago






    • 5




      $begingroup$
      @vicky_molokh: You're overthinking it. Or, rather, thinking too scientifically. A laudable talent in the real world, but not for a game with specific set of rules. As far as spells go (and all the rules, really), they need to be taken "as is", otherwise you risk rather a lot of rules-abuse! So here: water=water, blood=blood, water≠blood.
      $endgroup$
      – PJRZ
      14 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      @NautArch Nice revision, +1 already in the box. (chortle)
      $endgroup$
      – KorvinStarmast
      14 hours ago
















    18












    $begingroup$

    No, this will not work RAW*



    It's not water



    Shape Water specifically states it only works with water (emphasis mine):




    You choose an area of water that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube.




    Had they wanted it to work with any other liquid, it wouldn't have used the term "water". Things that contain water are not the same thing, this is just about shaping water.



    And you can't see it



    In addition, there is the sight requirement. Blood in the body is not generally visible. Blood outside the body, but even if you allowed shaping that, it won't generally cause much harm (the harm's already been done). But that's also up to the DM as to what injuries are visible.



    Either way, blood isn't water (isn't it thicker?) and you can't see it so shape water won't be able to be used with blood.



    *There also aren't any rules regarding Creative Use of Spells, but it's very much going to be up to your DM if they do want to allow this. But I doubt a DM would be willing to give a cantrip the power level this might be.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      To add on, WotC have stated that spells involving water, such as create and destroy water, don't work on people
      $endgroup$
      – Peregrine Lennert
      14 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @PeregrineLennert Do you have a source for that? I'm generally trying to avoid tweets to support my answers, but if they've done an errata or a printed sage advice, I'd be more amenable :)
      $endgroup$
      – NautArch
      14 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Wouldn't that mean that the spell works on the water in the blood, leaving behind the non-water bits of blood?
      $endgroup$
      – vicky_molokh
      14 hours ago






    • 5




      $begingroup$
      @vicky_molokh: You're overthinking it. Or, rather, thinking too scientifically. A laudable talent in the real world, but not for a game with specific set of rules. As far as spells go (and all the rules, really), they need to be taken "as is", otherwise you risk rather a lot of rules-abuse! So here: water=water, blood=blood, water≠blood.
      $endgroup$
      – PJRZ
      14 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      @NautArch Nice revision, +1 already in the box. (chortle)
      $endgroup$
      – KorvinStarmast
      14 hours ago














    18












    18








    18





    $begingroup$

    No, this will not work RAW*



    It's not water



    Shape Water specifically states it only works with water (emphasis mine):




    You choose an area of water that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube.




    Had they wanted it to work with any other liquid, it wouldn't have used the term "water". Things that contain water are not the same thing, this is just about shaping water.



    And you can't see it



    In addition, there is the sight requirement. Blood in the body is not generally visible. Blood outside the body, but even if you allowed shaping that, it won't generally cause much harm (the harm's already been done). But that's also up to the DM as to what injuries are visible.



    Either way, blood isn't water (isn't it thicker?) and you can't see it so shape water won't be able to be used with blood.



    *There also aren't any rules regarding Creative Use of Spells, but it's very much going to be up to your DM if they do want to allow this. But I doubt a DM would be willing to give a cantrip the power level this might be.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    No, this will not work RAW*



    It's not water



    Shape Water specifically states it only works with water (emphasis mine):




    You choose an area of water that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube.




    Had they wanted it to work with any other liquid, it wouldn't have used the term "water". Things that contain water are not the same thing, this is just about shaping water.



    And you can't see it



    In addition, there is the sight requirement. Blood in the body is not generally visible. Blood outside the body, but even if you allowed shaping that, it won't generally cause much harm (the harm's already been done). But that's also up to the DM as to what injuries are visible.



    Either way, blood isn't water (isn't it thicker?) and you can't see it so shape water won't be able to be used with blood.



    *There also aren't any rules regarding Creative Use of Spells, but it's very much going to be up to your DM if they do want to allow this. But I doubt a DM would be willing to give a cantrip the power level this might be.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 14 hours ago

























    answered 14 hours ago









    NautArchNautArch

    58.6k8210391




    58.6k8210391












    • $begingroup$
      To add on, WotC have stated that spells involving water, such as create and destroy water, don't work on people
      $endgroup$
      – Peregrine Lennert
      14 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @PeregrineLennert Do you have a source for that? I'm generally trying to avoid tweets to support my answers, but if they've done an errata or a printed sage advice, I'd be more amenable :)
      $endgroup$
      – NautArch
      14 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Wouldn't that mean that the spell works on the water in the blood, leaving behind the non-water bits of blood?
      $endgroup$
      – vicky_molokh
      14 hours ago






    • 5




      $begingroup$
      @vicky_molokh: You're overthinking it. Or, rather, thinking too scientifically. A laudable talent in the real world, but not for a game with specific set of rules. As far as spells go (and all the rules, really), they need to be taken "as is", otherwise you risk rather a lot of rules-abuse! So here: water=water, blood=blood, water≠blood.
      $endgroup$
      – PJRZ
      14 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      @NautArch Nice revision, +1 already in the box. (chortle)
      $endgroup$
      – KorvinStarmast
      14 hours ago


















    • $begingroup$
      To add on, WotC have stated that spells involving water, such as create and destroy water, don't work on people
      $endgroup$
      – Peregrine Lennert
      14 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @PeregrineLennert Do you have a source for that? I'm generally trying to avoid tweets to support my answers, but if they've done an errata or a printed sage advice, I'd be more amenable :)
      $endgroup$
      – NautArch
      14 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Wouldn't that mean that the spell works on the water in the blood, leaving behind the non-water bits of blood?
      $endgroup$
      – vicky_molokh
      14 hours ago






    • 5




      $begingroup$
      @vicky_molokh: You're overthinking it. Or, rather, thinking too scientifically. A laudable talent in the real world, but not for a game with specific set of rules. As far as spells go (and all the rules, really), they need to be taken "as is", otherwise you risk rather a lot of rules-abuse! So here: water=water, blood=blood, water≠blood.
      $endgroup$
      – PJRZ
      14 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      @NautArch Nice revision, +1 already in the box. (chortle)
      $endgroup$
      – KorvinStarmast
      14 hours ago
















    $begingroup$
    To add on, WotC have stated that spells involving water, such as create and destroy water, don't work on people
    $endgroup$
    – Peregrine Lennert
    14 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    To add on, WotC have stated that spells involving water, such as create and destroy water, don't work on people
    $endgroup$
    – Peregrine Lennert
    14 hours ago












    $begingroup$
    @PeregrineLennert Do you have a source for that? I'm generally trying to avoid tweets to support my answers, but if they've done an errata or a printed sage advice, I'd be more amenable :)
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    14 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @PeregrineLennert Do you have a source for that? I'm generally trying to avoid tweets to support my answers, but if they've done an errata or a printed sage advice, I'd be more amenable :)
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    14 hours ago




    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    Wouldn't that mean that the spell works on the water in the blood, leaving behind the non-water bits of blood?
    $endgroup$
    – vicky_molokh
    14 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    Wouldn't that mean that the spell works on the water in the blood, leaving behind the non-water bits of blood?
    $endgroup$
    – vicky_molokh
    14 hours ago




    5




    5




    $begingroup$
    @vicky_molokh: You're overthinking it. Or, rather, thinking too scientifically. A laudable talent in the real world, but not for a game with specific set of rules. As far as spells go (and all the rules, really), they need to be taken "as is", otherwise you risk rather a lot of rules-abuse! So here: water=water, blood=blood, water≠blood.
    $endgroup$
    – PJRZ
    14 hours ago






    $begingroup$
    @vicky_molokh: You're overthinking it. Or, rather, thinking too scientifically. A laudable talent in the real world, but not for a game with specific set of rules. As far as spells go (and all the rules, really), they need to be taken "as is", otherwise you risk rather a lot of rules-abuse! So here: water=water, blood=blood, water≠blood.
    $endgroup$
    – PJRZ
    14 hours ago














    $begingroup$
    @NautArch Nice revision, +1 already in the box. (chortle)
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    14 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @NautArch Nice revision, +1 already in the box. (chortle)
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    14 hours ago













    6












    $begingroup$

    The spell specifically refers to water and does not mention any other liquid. Blood is mostly water, yes, but blood is not water. With that sort of leeway (particularly on a cantrip) you could end up with some truly terrifying power. This would enable you to manipulate most living things in the environment. I do not think that this is what is intended with this spell.






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    IvarLives is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






    $endgroup$


















      6












      $begingroup$

      The spell specifically refers to water and does not mention any other liquid. Blood is mostly water, yes, but blood is not water. With that sort of leeway (particularly on a cantrip) you could end up with some truly terrifying power. This would enable you to manipulate most living things in the environment. I do not think that this is what is intended with this spell.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      IvarLives is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      $endgroup$
















        6












        6








        6





        $begingroup$

        The spell specifically refers to water and does not mention any other liquid. Blood is mostly water, yes, but blood is not water. With that sort of leeway (particularly on a cantrip) you could end up with some truly terrifying power. This would enable you to manipulate most living things in the environment. I do not think that this is what is intended with this spell.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        IvarLives is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        $endgroup$



        The spell specifically refers to water and does not mention any other liquid. Blood is mostly water, yes, but blood is not water. With that sort of leeway (particularly on a cantrip) you could end up with some truly terrifying power. This would enable you to manipulate most living things in the environment. I do not think that this is what is intended with this spell.







        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        IvarLives is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






        New contributor




        IvarLives is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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        answered 13 hours ago









        IvarLivesIvarLives

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        613




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