[RPG] What happens when I Twin Life Transference

dnd-5emetamagicspell-slotsspellstargeting

The Life Transference spell states:

You sacrifice some of your health to mend another creature’s injuries.
You take 4d8 necrotic damage, and one creature of your choice that you
can see within range regains a number of hit points equal to twice the
necrotic damage you take.

The Twinned Spell Sorcerer Metamagic states:

When you cast a spell that targets only one creature and doesn't have a range of self, you can spend a number of sorcery points equal to the spell's level to target a second creature in range with the same spell.

Life Transference doesn't necessarily target me, nor does it have a range of Self, but it does affect me. Additionally, Twinned Spell does not say that it copies the spell, but that it makes the spell have a second target, and the standard target receives healing based on the damage I take.


So what happens when I try to Twin Life Transference?

Do I:

  • Cast the spell, healing two targets and spend the life cost once?
  • Cast the spell, healing two targets and spend the life cost twice?
  • Fail to Twin the spell, due to the fact that it affects myself?

Or something else entirely?

Best Answer

Option 1: Once Damaged, Twice Healed

Assuming Life Transference is valid for use with Twinned spell (see below), the key phrasing that leads to this outcome is the following from the Twinned Spell description:

...you can spend a number of sorcery points equal to the spell's level to target a second creature in range with the same spell.

This specifies that we don't cast the spell twice, but rather the effect of the same spell applies to two targets instead of one.

The relevant part of Life Transference is:

You take 4d8 necrotic damage, and one creature of your choice that you can see within range regains a number of hit points equal to twice the necrotic damage you take.

The amount the target gains is equal to what you lost. Splitting wouldn't meet the effect of having each target gain an amount equal to what you lost. It's worth noting that spells that deal damage aren't split either, so it shouldn't for healing.

However...

There's an argument to be made that Life Transference targets both the creature and yourself, as you pointed out yourself in option 3. Under this interpretation, Life Transference would not be a valid spell for use with Twinned Spell.