12
\$\begingroup\$

If an Order Domain cleric targets a character at 0 HP with healing word and uses the Voice of Authority feature, can the targeted character make the reaction attack?

Voice of Authority reads as follows:

You can invoke the power of law to embolden an ally to attack. If you cast a spell with a spell slot of 1st level or higher and target an ally with the spell, that ally can use their reaction immediately after the spell to make one weapon attack against a creature of your choice that you can see.

If the spell targets more than one ally, you choose the ally who can make the attack.

I'm asking on behalf of a player. We are not sure if the spell uses the stack, or what happens first.

\$\endgroup\$
0

2 Answers 2

27
\$\begingroup\$

The Order Domain cleric's Voice of Authority feature (GGtR, p. 26; TCoE, p. 31) says:

If you cast a spell with a spell slot of 1st level or higher and target an ally with the spell, that ally can use their reaction immediately after the spell to make one weapon attack against a creature of your choice that you can see.

If your ally, the intended target of healing word, is at 0 HP and making death saving throws, they're unconscious and presumably prone. Voice of Authority triggers after you cast healing word on them. When you cast healing word on them, they regain an amount of HP equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier, which causes them to no longer be unconscious.

Since they are no longer unconscious, they can take actions and reactions as normal (i.e. actions on their turn, or reactions when their trigger occurs), assuming they're not affected by another condition or effect that prevents them from doing so. Thus, the ally you healed could indeed use their reaction to make a weapon attack against a creature of your choice that you can see, as long as the creature you choose is within range of the ally you healed.


As Miniman notes in a comment on Derek Stucki's answer, though, the attack would be made at disadvantage due to the character still being prone. (The character would continue being prone until at least their next turn; on their turn, they can use an amount of movement equal to half their speed to stand up.)

In addition, when the character was reduced to 0 HP, they would have fallen unconscious (which is also what causes them to fall prone). As a result, they would have dropped whatever they were holding, including a drawn weapon. The character would not yet be able to pick any such weapon back up (or draw a new one) after being healed – since they can only do so on their turn, using a free object interaction or the Use an Object action. Thus, the only attack they can make as part of this process is an unarmed strike or an attack with a natural weapon.

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • 3
    \$\begingroup\$ Provided that they haven't already used their reaction this round. \$\endgroup\$
    – adonies
    Commented Jul 8, 2019 at 6:51
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ It was already a good answer, but I think the edits make it even more clear. \$\endgroup\$
    – Kirt
    Commented Feb 22, 2022 at 16:15
5
\$\begingroup\$

The Voice of Authority ability says that the target of the spell "can use their reaction immediately after the spell." There is no stack in D&D, so things are resolved in order, in this case the spell, which heals and therefore wakes the target, then the target making their attack.

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • 7
    \$\begingroup\$ Although they are guaranteed to be prone, so they'll have disadvantage on the attack. \$\endgroup\$
    – Miniman
    Commented Jul 8, 2019 at 3:21
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ Derek, suggest you add the caveat that Miniman points out. (I still like the answer, but that would IMO complete it). \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jul 8, 2019 at 13:20

You must log in to answer this question.