[RPG] When can a Wild Magic sorcerer use Bend Luck if he can’t see the die

class-featurednd-5esorcerer

The Wild Magic sorcerer's 6th-level Bend Luck feature (PHB, p. 103) states:

When another creature you can see makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can use your reaction and spend 2 sorcery points to roll 1d4 and apply the number rolled as a bonus or penalty (your choice) to the creature’s roll. You can do so after the creature rolls but before any effects of the roll occur.

This indicates that Bend Luck can be used after the die roll in question is made. However, it is unclear whether you can use it after it has been announced whether a roll passes or fails.

As a concrete and realistic example, suppose a monster makes a saving throw against the Sorcerer's fireball. The DM rolls the saving throw. The DM declares whether the save passes or fails, based on their knowledge of the monster's stats and what the player says the save DC is. The DM then applies damage and other effects to the monster if applicable then moves on to the next action.

What is the latest point in that sequence of events when the player can use Bend Luck?

Note that if the DM rolls in secret behind a screen (as I do) then the player does not know the result on the die until the DM announces it, and even then they often only announce a pass/fail result. This can make the timing tricky if we treat it like Bardic Inspiration, which must be used before the pass/fail result is announced.

If the player must decide to use Bend Luck before the result is announced, then this is essentially the same as having to use Bend Luck before the roll was made (unless the DM publicly announces all their rolls, but that would slow things down and then what's the point of the DM screen?).

If the choice can be made after the pass/fail result is announced, then this is more useful. As a corollary, though, how should the player be informed of the die result, if at all, for them to make an informed decision about whether to use Bend Luck?

Best Answer

Before the effects of the roll occur

The "effect" of the roll are not whether a creature saves or fails, it is the application of the consequences of that roll. In this case, it's whether or not the creature gets a fireball to the face.

So, as a sequence of events:

  • Sorcerer casts fireball
  • Creature rolls to save
  • Outcome is determined (save)
  • Bend Luck is applied (d4 is rolled and added to/detracted from the creatures save)
  • Creature then receives a fireball in the face, depending on the outcome of the roll.

Since there is no real degree of how well a creature might succeed or fail on said roll, the only evidence of the outcome that is needed is just success or failure. Since you, the DM do know the outcome of the creature's save, you can still make the calculation, without revealing the numbers.

From the players perspective, Bend Luck does require more specific knowledge, so as to determine whether or not the application of the ability is even worthwhile. Again, this doesn't need the numbers - you can let the player know whether or not Bend Luck would even be worthwhile. Perhaps you could employ a phrase like "Bendable" when the situation can be altered by the Bend Luck ability.

In this situation, this is really the only place that this can be applied - it is both the earliest and the latest it can be applied to the situation.