[RPG] Can Wall of Force stop shockwaves

dnd-5espellswall

In this setting, siege weaponry has advanced much faster than infantry weapons, leading to an invention of gunpowder and cannons; however guns have not been developed properly.

In an invasion of an orcish stronghold, an orc had run into the powder magazine, and the wizard decided to throw a fireball in there, causing the magazine to catch on fire. The wizard had no idea it was a powder magazine, due to a poorly placed drow darkness spell. The drow dropped the spell after the fire was thrown. The wizard, in order to save themselves and the allied forces in the stronghold, decided to encase the gunpowder with a wall of force.

Can wall of force stop a shockwave and the explosion? If so, then wouldn't it stop sound as well? What about light? (This I think so physics-ly but not game-ly, but stopping sound makes sense).

Best Answer

Yes, it can stop shockwaves

As per Wall of Force's spell description:

Nothing can physically pass through the wall.

Shockwaves are vibrating air, and since air cannot pass through the wall, there is no shockwave that would extend outside it.


As for light, it seems the intention is to allow it to pass through the Wall, my basis is that it doesn't cause an effect similar to the Darkness spell, and the wall is invisible- not opaque.