If a creature is under the condition Charmed, can they cast the spell Burning Hands and orient the cone such that their charmer is within the area of effect?
The argument I've seen for "yes" is that Burning Hands is not an attack by the definition in Chapter 9, and creatures within an AOE are not targeted by the spell. Is this correct?
References:
Charmed
- A charmed creature can’t attack the charmer or target the charmer with harmful abilities or magical effects.
Basic Rules V.0.3, Appendix A, pg. 105 (emphasis mine)
Burning Hands
1st-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (15-foot cone)
Basic Rules, V.0.3, Chapter 11, pg. 85 (emphasis mine)
If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack.
Basic Rules V.0.3, Chapter 9, pg. 73
A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the spell's magic. A spell's description tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or the point of origin for an area of effect.
Basic Rules V.0.3, Chapter 10, pg. 80 (emphasis mine)
Spells such as burning hands and cone of cold cover an area, allowing them to affect multiple creatures at once.
A spell’s description specifies its area of effect, which typically has one of five different shapes: cone, cube, cylinder, line, or sphere. Every area of effect has a point of origin
Basic Rules V.0.3, Chapter 10, pg. 80 (emphasis mine)