Monster Manual actions: “One target” vs “One creature”

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Something I have been wondering about since I started DM'ing: in the Monster Manual, most actions specify "one target", while some have "one creature".
Example with Ghouls & Ghasts: Bite specifies one creature, Claws specify one target.
What is the difference? Does it matter for regular play?
dnd-5e rules-as-written monsters
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up vote
7
down vote
favorite
Something I have been wondering about since I started DM'ing: in the Monster Manual, most actions specify "one target", while some have "one creature".
Example with Ghouls & Ghasts: Bite specifies one creature, Claws specify one target.
What is the difference? Does it matter for regular play?
dnd-5e rules-as-written monsters
New contributor
Thijs B. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
Something I have been wondering about since I started DM'ing: in the Monster Manual, most actions specify "one target", while some have "one creature".
Example with Ghouls & Ghasts: Bite specifies one creature, Claws specify one target.
What is the difference? Does it matter for regular play?
dnd-5e rules-as-written monsters
New contributor
Thijs B. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Something I have been wondering about since I started DM'ing: in the Monster Manual, most actions specify "one target", while some have "one creature".
Example with Ghouls & Ghasts: Bite specifies one creature, Claws specify one target.
What is the difference? Does it matter for regular play?
dnd-5e rules-as-written monsters
dnd-5e rules-as-written monsters
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Thijs B. 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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Thijs B. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 1 hour ago
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A target includes: creatures, objects, and locations.
The PHB p194 states:
Pick a target ...: a creature, an object or a location.
For spells, PHB p204 states:
A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin...
The Ghoul can use its Bite Action to target only other creatures, e.g. PCs, NPCs, beasts and other monsters. It cannot use the Bite action to target an object, e.g. a door.
The Ghoul can use its Claws Action to target a creature or an object. For example, to do damage to a door.
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Richard Smith is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
A target includes: creatures, objects, and locations.
The PHB p194 states:
Pick a target ...: a creature, an object or a location.
For spells, PHB p204 states:
A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin...
The Ghoul can use its Bite Action to target only other creatures, e.g. PCs, NPCs, beasts and other monsters. It cannot use the Bite action to target an object, e.g. a door.
The Ghoul can use its Claws Action to target a creature or an object. For example, to do damage to a door.
New contributor
Richard Smith is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
A target includes: creatures, objects, and locations.
The PHB p194 states:
Pick a target ...: a creature, an object or a location.
For spells, PHB p204 states:
A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin...
The Ghoul can use its Bite Action to target only other creatures, e.g. PCs, NPCs, beasts and other monsters. It cannot use the Bite action to target an object, e.g. a door.
The Ghoul can use its Claws Action to target a creature or an object. For example, to do damage to a door.
New contributor
Richard Smith is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
A target includes: creatures, objects, and locations.
The PHB p194 states:
Pick a target ...: a creature, an object or a location.
For spells, PHB p204 states:
A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin...
The Ghoul can use its Bite Action to target only other creatures, e.g. PCs, NPCs, beasts and other monsters. It cannot use the Bite action to target an object, e.g. a door.
The Ghoul can use its Claws Action to target a creature or an object. For example, to do damage to a door.
New contributor
Richard Smith is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
A target includes: creatures, objects, and locations.
The PHB p194 states:
Pick a target ...: a creature, an object or a location.
For spells, PHB p204 states:
A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin...
The Ghoul can use its Bite Action to target only other creatures, e.g. PCs, NPCs, beasts and other monsters. It cannot use the Bite action to target an object, e.g. a door.
The Ghoul can use its Claws Action to target a creature or an object. For example, to do damage to a door.
New contributor
Richard Smith is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 34 mins ago
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answered 1 hour ago


Richard Smith
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Thijs B. is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Thijs B. is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Thijs B. is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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