[RPG] oun stones be targeted by “save vs. damage” spells/abilities

dnd-5emagic-itemstargeting

@New_DM_Tryingtobesneaky recently asked a question about damaging Ioun stones.

…and left this side note, which the answers don't address:

it's hard to believe that some rare/legendary items could be destroyed with a few save damage cantrips.

But rules-as-written, is it even possible to target Ioun stones this way?

Best Answer

No. Only creatures are subject to effects that require saving throws.

Spells that do damage based on a saving throw explicitly restrict their effects to creatures, including cantrips. Two examples of many:

Flame Strike:

A vertical column of divine fire roars down from the heavens in a location you specify. Each creature in a 10-foot-radius, 40-foot-high cylinder centered on a point within range must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 4d6 fire damage and 4d6 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Burning Hands:

... Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Ioun stones aren't creatures, so none of these spells (or any other spell that targets creatures) can affect them.

Some such spells also have specific effects against objects; two examples, again of many:

Fireball:

.. ignites flammable objects in the area that aren't being worn or carried.

Shatter:

A nonmagical object that isn’t being worn or carried also takes the damage if it’s in the spell's area.

Neither of these would affect an ioun stone; when in use, it's treated as being worn or carried, and when not in use, it's neither flammable nor nonmagical.

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