[RPG] Does the Draconic Bloodline sorcerer’s Elemental Affinity feature apply to the spell Dragon’s Breath

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The Draconic Bloodline sorcerer feature Elemental Affinity states:

[When] you cast a spell that deals damage of the type associated with your draconic ancestry, you can add your Charisma modifier to one damage roll of that spell.

The dragon's breath spell (XGtE, p. 154) incorporates a damage roll, but it is not a direct consequence of the spell:

Until the spell ends, the creature can use an action to exhale energy of the chosen type in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 damage of the chosen type on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Would one of these exhalations qualify for the application of the Elemental Affinity feature? If so, is only one eligible or every one throughout the duration of dragon's breath

Best Answer

You can use it. Once.

It's a spell, and it does deal damage of the chosen type (assuming you choose the same type for the dragon's breath as you have for your bloodline). That meets the requirements for applying the class feature to that casting of the spell. The spell likewise has associated damage rolls, and thus the bonus can be applied. There is no listed requirement that anything be a "direct consequence" of anything. It's just as applicable here as it would be with wall of fire or produce flame - each of which applies damage at times and based on triggers other than the instant of the casting.

This, as stated in the class feature, allows you to add your charisma modifier to one damage roll of the spell - in this case one exhalation. Any other exhalation would be a different damage roll, and wouldn't get the benefit. Timing here could get kind of odd, amusingly, as it never tells you you have to add it to the first damage roll of the spell, and it doesn't tell you if you decide whether or to add it before or after you roll the dice, but the "Yes it works, use it once." part is pretty clear.

The "one damage roll per spell" is accurate, though was not in the original printing. It's an errata.

Per The Player's Handbook Errata,

Elemental Affinity (p. 102). The damage bonus applies to one damage roll of a spell, not multiple rolls.

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