[RPG] If a creature attacks a target warded by Sanctuary but fails the save, do they lose the attack/spell if there is no other target immediately in range

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Take a simple scenario as an example:

  • A cleric casts sanctuary
  • An enemy wielding a spear attempts to make a melee attack at the
    cleric with his spear
  • The enemy fails his Wisdom save, and thus can't attack the cleric

Now what?

According to the sanctuary spell description:

On a failed save, the creature must choose a new target or lose the
attack or spell.

No one else is currently in melee range, but others are within move distance.

What happens to the enemy's intended attack, after failing the Wisdom save?

  • Do they simply lose the attack if there is no other target
    immediately in range, causing that spear attack to be wasted?
  • Does the enemy now get to "hold" the melee spear attack, use movement
    to get in melee range with someone else, and then resume the same
    melee spear attack on the new target?
  • Can the enemy choose to make a different kind of attack with the same
    weapon, and decide to throw the spear instead (at someone else)?
  • Can the enemy choose to attack with a different weapon, such as a
    shortbow, and attack someone else instead (either before or after
    moving)?
  • Can the enemy choose to cast a spell instead of making a weapon
    attack?

Best Answer

If no one else is in melee range, then there is no longer a valid target for the attack, and the attack is lost.

The description of the Sanctuary spell says (emphasis mine):

the creature must choose a new target

...not that the creature gets to change the attack or make a new attack.

The type or “method” of attack has already been chosen – a melee attack with a spear – and Sanctuary does nothing to change that. You can’t change the attack to a ranged attack with the spear, you can’t swap weapons and change the attack to a ranged attack with a bow, and you can’t suddenly decide to cast a spell.

As for "holding" the attack and moving so that you can attack another creature, you can’t do that either.

The PHB states the following, under "Breaking Up Your Move" (bold for emphasis mine):

You can break up your movement on your turn, using some of your speed before and after your action.

[...]

If you take an action that includes more than one weapon attack, you can break up your movement even further by moving between those attacks.

Since this takes place during an attack, during an action, you’re unable to move.