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Can an Unconscious PC hear you?


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7














$begingroup$


Some spells and abilities specify that the target must be able to hear you. Is an unconscious PC (0 HP) considered a valid target?




Unconscious
...
An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




For example, the Oath of the Crown Paladin has the following ability:




Turn the Tide



As a bonus action, you can bolster injured creatures with your Channel Divinity. Each creature of your choice that can hear you within 30 feet of you regains hit points equal to 1d6 + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if it has no more than half of its hit points.




Can the Paladin grant hp to unconscious party members using this ability?










share|improve this question










$endgroup$















  • $begingroup$
    Heavily related: "Can a Bard grant Bardic Inspiration to an unconscious creature" and also "Perception While Sleeping"
    $endgroup$
    – Medix2
    8 hours ago


















7














$begingroup$


Some spells and abilities specify that the target must be able to hear you. Is an unconscious PC (0 HP) considered a valid target?




Unconscious
...
An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




For example, the Oath of the Crown Paladin has the following ability:




Turn the Tide



As a bonus action, you can bolster injured creatures with your Channel Divinity. Each creature of your choice that can hear you within 30 feet of you regains hit points equal to 1d6 + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if it has no more than half of its hit points.




Can the Paladin grant hp to unconscious party members using this ability?










share|improve this question










$endgroup$















  • $begingroup$
    Heavily related: "Can a Bard grant Bardic Inspiration to an unconscious creature" and also "Perception While Sleeping"
    $endgroup$
    – Medix2
    8 hours ago














7












7








7





$begingroup$


Some spells and abilities specify that the target must be able to hear you. Is an unconscious PC (0 HP) considered a valid target?




Unconscious
...
An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




For example, the Oath of the Crown Paladin has the following ability:




Turn the Tide



As a bonus action, you can bolster injured creatures with your Channel Divinity. Each creature of your choice that can hear you within 30 feet of you regains hit points equal to 1d6 + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if it has no more than half of its hit points.




Can the Paladin grant hp to unconscious party members using this ability?










share|improve this question










$endgroup$




Some spells and abilities specify that the target must be able to hear you. Is an unconscious PC (0 HP) considered a valid target?




Unconscious
...
An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




For example, the Oath of the Crown Paladin has the following ability:




Turn the Tide



As a bonus action, you can bolster injured creatures with your Channel Divinity. Each creature of your choice that can hear you within 30 feet of you regains hit points equal to 1d6 + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if it has no more than half of its hit points.




Can the Paladin grant hp to unconscious party members using this ability?







dnd-5e conditions unconscious






share|improve this question














share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 10 hours ago









DestruktorDestruktor

3,91021 silver badges62 bronze badges




3,91021 silver badges62 bronze badges















  • $begingroup$
    Heavily related: "Can a Bard grant Bardic Inspiration to an unconscious creature" and also "Perception While Sleeping"
    $endgroup$
    – Medix2
    8 hours ago


















  • $begingroup$
    Heavily related: "Can a Bard grant Bardic Inspiration to an unconscious creature" and also "Perception While Sleeping"
    $endgroup$
    – Medix2
    8 hours ago
















$begingroup$
Heavily related: "Can a Bard grant Bardic Inspiration to an unconscious creature" and also "Perception While Sleeping"
$endgroup$
– Medix2
8 hours ago




$begingroup$
Heavily related: "Can a Bard grant Bardic Inspiration to an unconscious creature" and also "Perception While Sleeping"
$endgroup$
– Medix2
8 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















10
















$begingroup$

No. (Unless they are asleep and you are using optional rules from XGtE)



From your quote:




Unconscious ... An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the
condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




Emphasis mine.



A related question (Can a bard grant bardic inspiration to an unconscious creature?) has an answer that says (paraphrased) "Maybe. DM Call". Their reasoning is that Hearing is not specifically ruled out.



I would argue that '... unaware ...' would cover Hearing, and does not need to be singled out. A creature that is unaware of their surroundings is unaware of any sounds, and therefore cannot benefit from Effects that require them to hear something.





Xanathar's Guide to Everything has extra (Optional) rules for being Asleep, which include that Sleeping subjects a creature to the Unconscious condition, but also that they may be woken by sounds. (https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#WakingSomeone)



"Specific overrules General" applies here. If a creature is (only) Unconscious, they cannot hear ("... are unaware ..."). If they are Asleep (and therefore also Unconscious), they would fall under the Specific 'Waking Someone' rules (if you are choosing to use the optional XGtE rules), where sounds can awaken the creature. This would imply that the Sleeping creature can Hear, and therefore be affected by Spells/Abilities that require the target(s) to Hear them (such as the OP's example). It may be appropriate to use the Passive Wisdom (Perception) ratings in XGtE's rules to check if the sleeping creature does, actually, hear the Spell/Power.






share|improve this answer












$endgroup$















  • $begingroup$
    Good question. I shall ponder ...
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    8 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Medix2 What rule says that noise can wake up a sleeping character? Sleep from the spell of the same name only ends when the spell does, the sleeping character takes damage or they are shaken awake. The alarm spell only wakes up a sleeping character if you set to "ping" in your mind. The audible alarm doesn't say it wakes you up.
    $endgroup$
    – Allan Mills
    8 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @AllanMills I do not have XGtE, but Medix2's linked answer references the 'waking a sleeper' rules, which include noises. I believe those rules are only for 'normal' Sleep, rather than magically-induced
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    8 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Destruktor That's what Multiple Edits do to an answer! :D Thank you, I shall add another edit!
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    7 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Looks fine to me. Thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    6 hours ago



















1
















$begingroup$

Your answer is in the PHB description of unconscious, "[the creature] is unaware of its surroundings."



Unaware means "you have no knowledge of [whatever spell is being cast]"



Using your example of Bolstering someone, it would be impossible to encourage them with words if they have no knowledge of the words you're using.



While the encompassing answer is that a DM can rule differently, the most direct answer would seem to indicate merely adhering to the simple definition of the words used:

Unconscious = can't be affected by spells or abilities that require the target to hear/understand (or be encouraged) by what the caster is saying.






share|improve this answer









New contributor



LegendAndSong 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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    2 Answers
    2






    active

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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    10
















    $begingroup$

    No. (Unless they are asleep and you are using optional rules from XGtE)



    From your quote:




    Unconscious ... An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the
    condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




    Emphasis mine.



    A related question (Can a bard grant bardic inspiration to an unconscious creature?) has an answer that says (paraphrased) "Maybe. DM Call". Their reasoning is that Hearing is not specifically ruled out.



    I would argue that '... unaware ...' would cover Hearing, and does not need to be singled out. A creature that is unaware of their surroundings is unaware of any sounds, and therefore cannot benefit from Effects that require them to hear something.





    Xanathar's Guide to Everything has extra (Optional) rules for being Asleep, which include that Sleeping subjects a creature to the Unconscious condition, but also that they may be woken by sounds. (https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#WakingSomeone)



    "Specific overrules General" applies here. If a creature is (only) Unconscious, they cannot hear ("... are unaware ..."). If they are Asleep (and therefore also Unconscious), they would fall under the Specific 'Waking Someone' rules (if you are choosing to use the optional XGtE rules), where sounds can awaken the creature. This would imply that the Sleeping creature can Hear, and therefore be affected by Spells/Abilities that require the target(s) to Hear them (such as the OP's example). It may be appropriate to use the Passive Wisdom (Perception) ratings in XGtE's rules to check if the sleeping creature does, actually, hear the Spell/Power.






    share|improve this answer












    $endgroup$















    • $begingroup$
      Good question. I shall ponder ...
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Medix2 What rule says that noise can wake up a sleeping character? Sleep from the spell of the same name only ends when the spell does, the sleeping character takes damage or they are shaken awake. The alarm spell only wakes up a sleeping character if you set to "ping" in your mind. The audible alarm doesn't say it wakes you up.
      $endgroup$
      – Allan Mills
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @AllanMills I do not have XGtE, but Medix2's linked answer references the 'waking a sleeper' rules, which include noises. I believe those rules are only for 'normal' Sleep, rather than magically-induced
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @Destruktor That's what Multiple Edits do to an answer! :D Thank you, I shall add another edit!
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      7 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Looks fine to me. Thanks.
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      6 hours ago
















    10
















    $begingroup$

    No. (Unless they are asleep and you are using optional rules from XGtE)



    From your quote:




    Unconscious ... An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the
    condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




    Emphasis mine.



    A related question (Can a bard grant bardic inspiration to an unconscious creature?) has an answer that says (paraphrased) "Maybe. DM Call". Their reasoning is that Hearing is not specifically ruled out.



    I would argue that '... unaware ...' would cover Hearing, and does not need to be singled out. A creature that is unaware of their surroundings is unaware of any sounds, and therefore cannot benefit from Effects that require them to hear something.





    Xanathar's Guide to Everything has extra (Optional) rules for being Asleep, which include that Sleeping subjects a creature to the Unconscious condition, but also that they may be woken by sounds. (https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#WakingSomeone)



    "Specific overrules General" applies here. If a creature is (only) Unconscious, they cannot hear ("... are unaware ..."). If they are Asleep (and therefore also Unconscious), they would fall under the Specific 'Waking Someone' rules (if you are choosing to use the optional XGtE rules), where sounds can awaken the creature. This would imply that the Sleeping creature can Hear, and therefore be affected by Spells/Abilities that require the target(s) to Hear them (such as the OP's example). It may be appropriate to use the Passive Wisdom (Perception) ratings in XGtE's rules to check if the sleeping creature does, actually, hear the Spell/Power.






    share|improve this answer












    $endgroup$















    • $begingroup$
      Good question. I shall ponder ...
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Medix2 What rule says that noise can wake up a sleeping character? Sleep from the spell of the same name only ends when the spell does, the sleeping character takes damage or they are shaken awake. The alarm spell only wakes up a sleeping character if you set to "ping" in your mind. The audible alarm doesn't say it wakes you up.
      $endgroup$
      – Allan Mills
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @AllanMills I do not have XGtE, but Medix2's linked answer references the 'waking a sleeper' rules, which include noises. I believe those rules are only for 'normal' Sleep, rather than magically-induced
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @Destruktor That's what Multiple Edits do to an answer! :D Thank you, I shall add another edit!
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      7 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Looks fine to me. Thanks.
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      6 hours ago














    10














    10










    10







    $begingroup$

    No. (Unless they are asleep and you are using optional rules from XGtE)



    From your quote:




    Unconscious ... An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the
    condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




    Emphasis mine.



    A related question (Can a bard grant bardic inspiration to an unconscious creature?) has an answer that says (paraphrased) "Maybe. DM Call". Their reasoning is that Hearing is not specifically ruled out.



    I would argue that '... unaware ...' would cover Hearing, and does not need to be singled out. A creature that is unaware of their surroundings is unaware of any sounds, and therefore cannot benefit from Effects that require them to hear something.





    Xanathar's Guide to Everything has extra (Optional) rules for being Asleep, which include that Sleeping subjects a creature to the Unconscious condition, but also that they may be woken by sounds. (https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#WakingSomeone)



    "Specific overrules General" applies here. If a creature is (only) Unconscious, they cannot hear ("... are unaware ..."). If they are Asleep (and therefore also Unconscious), they would fall under the Specific 'Waking Someone' rules (if you are choosing to use the optional XGtE rules), where sounds can awaken the creature. This would imply that the Sleeping creature can Hear, and therefore be affected by Spells/Abilities that require the target(s) to Hear them (such as the OP's example). It may be appropriate to use the Passive Wisdom (Perception) ratings in XGtE's rules to check if the sleeping creature does, actually, hear the Spell/Power.






    share|improve this answer












    $endgroup$



    No. (Unless they are asleep and you are using optional rules from XGtE)



    From your quote:




    Unconscious ... An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the
    condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings...




    Emphasis mine.



    A related question (Can a bard grant bardic inspiration to an unconscious creature?) has an answer that says (paraphrased) "Maybe. DM Call". Their reasoning is that Hearing is not specifically ruled out.



    I would argue that '... unaware ...' would cover Hearing, and does not need to be singled out. A creature that is unaware of their surroundings is unaware of any sounds, and therefore cannot benefit from Effects that require them to hear something.





    Xanathar's Guide to Everything has extra (Optional) rules for being Asleep, which include that Sleeping subjects a creature to the Unconscious condition, but also that they may be woken by sounds. (https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#WakingSomeone)



    "Specific overrules General" applies here. If a creature is (only) Unconscious, they cannot hear ("... are unaware ..."). If they are Asleep (and therefore also Unconscious), they would fall under the Specific 'Waking Someone' rules (if you are choosing to use the optional XGtE rules), where sounds can awaken the creature. This would imply that the Sleeping creature can Hear, and therefore be affected by Spells/Abilities that require the target(s) to Hear them (such as the OP's example). It may be appropriate to use the Passive Wisdom (Perception) ratings in XGtE's rules to check if the sleeping creature does, actually, hear the Spell/Power.







    share|improve this answer















    share|improve this answer




    share|improve this answer








    edited 7 hours ago









    Medix2

    15.1k2 gold badges57 silver badges147 bronze badges




    15.1k2 gold badges57 silver badges147 bronze badges










    answered 9 hours ago









    Black SpikeBlack Spike

    1,8852 gold badges6 silver badges18 bronze badges




    1,8852 gold badges6 silver badges18 bronze badges















    • $begingroup$
      Good question. I shall ponder ...
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Medix2 What rule says that noise can wake up a sleeping character? Sleep from the spell of the same name only ends when the spell does, the sleeping character takes damage or they are shaken awake. The alarm spell only wakes up a sleeping character if you set to "ping" in your mind. The audible alarm doesn't say it wakes you up.
      $endgroup$
      – Allan Mills
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @AllanMills I do not have XGtE, but Medix2's linked answer references the 'waking a sleeper' rules, which include noises. I believe those rules are only for 'normal' Sleep, rather than magically-induced
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @Destruktor That's what Multiple Edits do to an answer! :D Thank you, I shall add another edit!
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      7 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Looks fine to me. Thanks.
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      6 hours ago


















    • $begingroup$
      Good question. I shall ponder ...
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      @Medix2 What rule says that noise can wake up a sleeping character? Sleep from the spell of the same name only ends when the spell does, the sleeping character takes damage or they are shaken awake. The alarm spell only wakes up a sleeping character if you set to "ping" in your mind. The audible alarm doesn't say it wakes you up.
      $endgroup$
      – Allan Mills
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @AllanMills I do not have XGtE, but Medix2's linked answer references the 'waking a sleeper' rules, which include noises. I believe those rules are only for 'normal' Sleep, rather than magically-induced
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      8 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @Destruktor That's what Multiple Edits do to an answer! :D Thank you, I shall add another edit!
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      7 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Looks fine to me. Thanks.
      $endgroup$
      – Black Spike
      6 hours ago
















    $begingroup$
    Good question. I shall ponder ...
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    8 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    Good question. I shall ponder ...
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    8 hours ago












    $begingroup$
    @Medix2 What rule says that noise can wake up a sleeping character? Sleep from the spell of the same name only ends when the spell does, the sleeping character takes damage or they are shaken awake. The alarm spell only wakes up a sleeping character if you set to "ping" in your mind. The audible alarm doesn't say it wakes you up.
    $endgroup$
    – Allan Mills
    8 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @Medix2 What rule says that noise can wake up a sleeping character? Sleep from the spell of the same name only ends when the spell does, the sleeping character takes damage or they are shaken awake. The alarm spell only wakes up a sleeping character if you set to "ping" in your mind. The audible alarm doesn't say it wakes you up.
    $endgroup$
    – Allan Mills
    8 hours ago




    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    @AllanMills I do not have XGtE, but Medix2's linked answer references the 'waking a sleeper' rules, which include noises. I believe those rules are only for 'normal' Sleep, rather than magically-induced
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    8 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @AllanMills I do not have XGtE, but Medix2's linked answer references the 'waking a sleeper' rules, which include noises. I believe those rules are only for 'normal' Sleep, rather than magically-induced
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    8 hours ago




    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    @Destruktor That's what Multiple Edits do to an answer! :D Thank you, I shall add another edit!
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    7 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @Destruktor That's what Multiple Edits do to an answer! :D Thank you, I shall add another edit!
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    7 hours ago




    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    Looks fine to me. Thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    6 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    Looks fine to me. Thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Black Spike
    6 hours ago













    1
















    $begingroup$

    Your answer is in the PHB description of unconscious, "[the creature] is unaware of its surroundings."



    Unaware means "you have no knowledge of [whatever spell is being cast]"



    Using your example of Bolstering someone, it would be impossible to encourage them with words if they have no knowledge of the words you're using.



    While the encompassing answer is that a DM can rule differently, the most direct answer would seem to indicate merely adhering to the simple definition of the words used:

    Unconscious = can't be affected by spells or abilities that require the target to hear/understand (or be encouraged) by what the caster is saying.






    share|improve this answer









    New contributor



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





    $endgroup$




















      1
















      $begingroup$

      Your answer is in the PHB description of unconscious, "[the creature] is unaware of its surroundings."



      Unaware means "you have no knowledge of [whatever spell is being cast]"



      Using your example of Bolstering someone, it would be impossible to encourage them with words if they have no knowledge of the words you're using.



      While the encompassing answer is that a DM can rule differently, the most direct answer would seem to indicate merely adhering to the simple definition of the words used:

      Unconscious = can't be affected by spells or abilities that require the target to hear/understand (or be encouraged) by what the caster is saying.






      share|improve this answer









      New contributor



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





      $endgroup$


















        1














        1










        1







        $begingroup$

        Your answer is in the PHB description of unconscious, "[the creature] is unaware of its surroundings."



        Unaware means "you have no knowledge of [whatever spell is being cast]"



        Using your example of Bolstering someone, it would be impossible to encourage them with words if they have no knowledge of the words you're using.



        While the encompassing answer is that a DM can rule differently, the most direct answer would seem to indicate merely adhering to the simple definition of the words used:

        Unconscious = can't be affected by spells or abilities that require the target to hear/understand (or be encouraged) by what the caster is saying.






        share|improve this answer









        New contributor



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





        $endgroup$



        Your answer is in the PHB description of unconscious, "[the creature] is unaware of its surroundings."



        Unaware means "you have no knowledge of [whatever spell is being cast]"



        Using your example of Bolstering someone, it would be impossible to encourage them with words if they have no knowledge of the words you're using.



        While the encompassing answer is that a DM can rule differently, the most direct answer would seem to indicate merely adhering to the simple definition of the words used:

        Unconscious = can't be affected by spells or abilities that require the target to hear/understand (or be encouraged) by what the caster is saying.







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        answered 9 hours ago









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