Does Phoenix Spark overcome Disintegrate?

Question

The Phoenix sorcerer (from Unearthed Arcana: Sorcerer) gains the Phoenix Spark feature at 6th level, part of which states:

If you are reduced to 0 hit points, you can use your reaction to draw on the spark of the phoenix. You are instead reduced to 1 hit point, [...]

Would it allow the sorcerer to avoid being disintegrated by the disintegrate spell? While disintegrate turns you to ash at 0 HP, when you're reduced to 0 HP you can also use Phoenix Spark to be reduced to 1 HP instead of 0. What ends up happening?

Answer 1

It comes down to DM ruling

Even the designers leave the timing of reactions up to the DM (Sage Advice). So that leaves both events as instantaneous. (Reactions are said to be that on PHB 170, for disintegrate it is inferred from the spell text.)

Why not both?

Turning to ashes and then rising in flames is pretty much a phoenix's thing. Also, another similar feature (Relentless Endurance of half-orcs) specifically calls out the case of getting killed instantly as stopping the feature from working. Phoenix Spark includes no such restriction.

Answer 2

Phoenix Spark Prevents Disintegration

Definitions:

From the spell description of Disintegrate:

A creature targeted by this spell must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 10d6+40 force damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, it is disintegrated.

From the Phoenix Spark description:

If you are reduced to 0 hit points, you can use your reaction to draw on the spark of the phoenix. You are instead reduced to 1 hit point.

From the PHB:

A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else's.

Reasoning:

1. The Phoenix Sorcerer is hit by Disintegrate.
2. Disintegrate deals enough damage to reduce the Phoenix Sorcerer to 0 HP.
3. The Phoenix Sorcerer uses their reaction to activate Phoenix Spark, which is triggered instantly (i.e. after the damage is received but before they are turned to dust).
4. The Phoenix Sorcerer is instead reduced to 1 HP.
5. As Disintegrate did not reduce the Phoenix Sorcerer to 0 HP, the Phoenix Sorcerer is not turned to dust. Carried items are also not affected.

Answer 3

Yes, Phoenix Spark saves the sorcerer from disintegrate (as of November 2018)

This has been established via the November 2018 Player's Handbook Errata:

Disintegrate (p. 233). The last sentence of the second paragraph now reads, “The target is disintegrated if this damage leaves it with 0 hit points.”

The description of the disintegrate spell previously read:

If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, it is disintegrated.

The wording changes the trigger from "being reduced to 0 hit points", to "being left with 0 hit points". Phoenix Spark means you are not left with 0 hit points, and thus are spared disintegration.

Answer 4

Unclear

---

Ordinarily, the fact that Phoenix Spark lacks the description "When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright" would indicate that it does function when you hit 0 hp, regardless of if you are dead or not.

However, the Phoenix Sorcerer is a UA archetype, meaning it is in playtest, and has not reached it's final form. So we cannot assume that something left out was left out on purpose.

Bottom line, your DM (or you if you are the DM) will have to rule this one. I think thematically it's cool to come back from the dead, and since it is a 6th level feature, it is reasonable to expect it to be stronger than a racial ability.

Answer 5

It would not overcome disintegrate

This class feature is very similar to the half orcs Relentless Endurance

When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can't use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

In this sage advice it is stated that:

If the damage from disintegrate reduces a half-orc to 0 hit points, can Relentless Endurance prevent the orc from turning to ash? If disintegrate reduces you to 0 hit points, you’re killed outright, as you turn to dust. If you’re a half-orc, Relentless Endurance can’t save you.