I was the DM in a game last night and the scenario was thus:
The healer on the ground floor of a tower wanted to cast Bless on her companions the floor above. This floor only had one access point, a trap door which was closed. I argued, that since they were behind total cover as per PHB 204:
A target with total cover can’t be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some Spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle.
that bless would not work, her opinion was that since in the spell it mentions blessing up to 3 creatures in range. that the cover rules would not apply as you are not targeting a creature but a point between the creatures.
You bless up to three creatures of your choice within range. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st.
Is either of our rulings correct?
Best Answer
You are targeting each creature
The spell, as quoted in your question, refers to each creature as a target (PHB 219, emphasis mine):
The rules for total cover (PHB 196) apply, you cannot target creatures completely concealed by an obstacle.
This wouldn't work as an area of effect either
Even if the above was incorrect, or if you ruled that bless does work as an area of effect spell from a point (as your player suggests), this still would not work. The rules for targeting continue in the Spellcasting chapter with (PHB 204):
and the section on areas of effect later on the same page reads: