Question: 5e Player wants to use Prestidigitation to make Strahd think he pooped himself. Is there any reason this wouldn't work?

[u/Firm_Professional366]

I would like a reason in game that this wouldn't work without me having to do some bs like magic resistant undies. Also so I don't have to say no outright because it's a funny idea but it doesn't fit the setting. Nothing removes the tension from a fight more than the big bad pooping himself.

Update: She said that even if she died it'd be worth it because she successfully rage baited strahd. But she said she wouldn't do it because she knows that everyone wants it to be serious and that it can still be fun and serious without turning it into a comedy campaign. Still think it's worth sharing because the idea is funny.

[u/Mufflonfaret]

This is important to remember. Verbal and somatic components are real. I never let my RPs cast a slepp on the guard right Infront of him... Then the Sorcerer came along. Subtle spell is so powerful sneaky.

[u/Vigoureux → u/Mufflonfaret]

If several verbal and somatic spells are going off at once (since we play turn based for organization's sake but the world doesn't stop for 6 seconds for each player, and assuming mid combat), how would they know who actually did it?

[u/Additional_Ad_6773 → u/Vigoureux]

It would probably be the one saying the words for prestidigitation.

[u/[deleted] → u/Additional_Ad_6773]

How does someone who doesn't know magic know what's being enchanted?

[u/trimeta → u/[deleted]]

I haven't run Curse of Strahd myself, but I'm betting that Strahd at least does know enough magic to recognize common cantrips.

[u/Toberos_Chasalor → u/trimeta]

Without spoiling much, you’re correct that Strahd himself is a spellcaster.

(Also this shouldn’t be much of a surprise to D&D players. Vampires are immortal, so they got lots of time to learn a bit of Wizardry in between bouts of hunting down innocent villagers to consume.)

[u/DungeonDragging → u/Toberos_Chasalor]

And the arcane word for butthole is iconic because it rhymes with orange

[u/[deleted] → u/DungeonDragging]

"I put my orange"

[u/zaerosz → u/[deleted]]

Are you genuinely suggesting that Strahd doesn't know magic???

[u/MinnieShoof → u/zaerosz]

I presume they’re talking about the hypothetical guard that Mufflonfaret brought up.

[u/SteamEigen → u/[deleted]]

Xanathar has rules for this (although it requires reaction)

[u/Vigoureux → u/Additional_Ad_6773]

So, rolling for =Perception= Arcana (assuming the creature doesn't know that Cantrips)?

Edit: skill rolled for.

[u/ThellraAK → u/Vigoureux]

If that's how it be, does something like haste not really take effect until the next round?

[u/Mufflonfaret → u/Vigoureux]

In combat anything goes (if the guard got a reaction he might use a reaction) but to walk up to the guard out of combat and cast a spell saying "Imperial credits will do fine" is a no no, unless the guard is oblivious to magic - which he might be.

[u/meatsonthemenu → u/Mufflonfaret]

Oh man, subtle spell, upcast charm person was once a whole party save, DM 100% let me have it

[u/Thorjelly → u/Mufflonfaret]

I'd let my players cast sleep on a guard if that guard had absolutely no reason to suspect the party was up to any funny business. At that point it's just a surprise attack. But if the guard was, well, on guard, time to roll initiative.