D&D 5E – Glyph of Warding and Tempest Cleric: Strategic Uses and Combinations

clericdamagednd-5espellstraps

If I used a Glyph of Warding, used the Explosive Runes option, and set the damage type to lightning, could a Tempest Cleric use their Channel Divinity to maximize damage?

(Yes I know I would have to multiclass to get the Glyph of Warding spell)

Best Answer

Yes.

With the caveat of the fact you would need to be aware that it was dealing damage. Nothing about Glyph of Warding or the Channel Divinity feature impart any knowledge on the caster of if they are dealing damage. However it normally doesn't matter. Because if you are casting thunderwave, you know you are dealing thunder damage.

So if you cast glyph of warding on a door, and waited, watching for someone to trigger it, you would know just the moment to expend your Channel Divinity feature.

However if you cast glyph of warding on a chest in your basement, then left town and one night while you were asleep someone triggered it, you would gain no special knowledge that NOW was the time to activate it.