@JeremyECrawford @LordCyler is Magic Missile an attack that hits without an attack roll? It obv. hit since that's in the spell.
— Ken Livingston (@undrhil) September 15, 2015
Magic missile isn't intended to be an attack. #DnD https://t.co/S8bOpFinmJ
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) September 16, 2015
What was it intended for then … https://t.co/auO9AADZAI
— Jo D' Lessr Y'Know (@godnojoe) September 16, 2015
@godnojoe It's intended to deal damage.
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) September 16, 2015
@godnojoe @JeremyECrawford Seriously, if it's not an attack then what's it good for? Also, it does damage, doesn't that make it an attack?
— Rob Weeks (@ZombieSlag) September 16, 2015
Dealing damage doesn't make something an attack. An attack roll—or being called an attack—makes it an attack. #DnD https://t.co/GEkcY05aYH
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) September 16, 2015
Could you guys seriously not think of a better word for “attack that requires a roll” other than “attack”? You cast a spell at the target, and the target takes damage. Every English-speaking human on Earth would call that an “attack”. This has to be the single most easily avoidable example of confusing terminology I have ever seen in a game.
Bold bblackmoor
Unfortunately I’m not a DnD Designer and this site is not from wotc, you could ask directly via Twitter to Master Jeremy via Twitter @JeremyECrawford, Master Mike @mikemearls or contact sageadvice@wizards.com
A fireball isn’t an attack either and yet it deals damage. They are actually very precise with their language.