[RPG] Does a spell cast from a Glyph of Warding with a range of Self have infinite effective range

dnd-5espellstargetingtraps

This question is asked under the assumption that the DM will allow spells with a range of "Self" to be stored in a glyph of warding1. The top answer to "What are the targeting range limitations of Glyph of Warding?" states:

That's it: the spell is cast with all its normal statistics including range.

While the trigger of the glyph can be unlimited in range ("Trigger when I move 12,000 miles away") the spell that is cast is cast from the gylph with all its normal limitations.

Spells with a range of "Self" do not have a numerical range limit on them, and as stated above, there is no range limit on the trigger either. So, using glyph of warding, could I effectively trigger a "Self" range spell from any distance?


Example:
I cast fire shield into a glyph of warding in my home with the trigger "When I speak the command word 'flame on'".

Could I then speak the command word to have fire shield cast on myself when I am 100 miles away in a dungeon, or on another plane?


1 An unofficial series of tweets from Jeremy Crawford would rule otherwise.

Best Answer

Technically? Not Quite, but close.

The Glyph trigger cannot specify an individual. The best you can get is to specify creature kind, alignment, and described physical characteristics (height and weight, etc.) If you get to the point where the description no longer accurately describes you, you would be unable to trigger it. If someone else who fit the description happens to say the command word before you (very possible if you make the area large enough) then they'd be the one to get the benefit. Still, these things can be worked around enough to cheese it.

Practically? Depends on how much the DM is willing to let you get away with.

This is pretty clearly abusing a fuzzy point in the rules. As such, it is pretty much exactly the sort of thing that Rule Zero was designed for. Indeed, there are all sorts of exploits for Glyph of Warding that you can come up with. Your DM can and should give a ruling on this for their own game, based on the needs of that particular game, and probably based on things like how clever you're being, how entertaining it is, and how hard they think you're likely to try to abuse it in the future.

Pragmatically? Think about whether or not you want to open that can of worms.

There are a lot of DMs out there that won't pull cheese until you start pulling cheese. There are a lot of enemies out there with access to 3rd level spells. PCs generally get into combat a lot more often than random potential enemies do, which means that said enemies can afford to spend more time building up an arsenal of "just say the command word" Glyphs of Warding, for both themselves and their allies. You might want to think twice before trying to bring this particular exploit into being.