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Let’s say you place a Portable Hole against a wall, then walk inside its hole. Then, an evil wizard casts a fireball in the room where you put the hole.

Considering you are now in an extra-dimensional place, are you out of range of the fireball?

(The question also applies to an archer that would try to shoot at you from outside the hole.)

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    \$\begingroup\$ Is the entrance of the hole open, or did someone close it after you went in? \$\endgroup\$
    – NotArch
    Jul 5, 2018 at 23:32
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    \$\begingroup\$ Open (I suppose that you’re de facto out of range of everything when the hole is closed, but my hesitation relies as to when the hole is opened, considering that you’re still in another dimension) \$\endgroup\$
    – Gael L
    Jul 5, 2018 at 23:42
  • \$\begingroup\$ Indeed, neither of the answers here, directly address the question of distance (some answers elsewhere say infinite) versus range; nor do they address why such speculated range concerns are invalid. (I think RAI is that all effects except planar-limited ones, cross planar connections as if zero distance lay between; but I know of no definite official ruling on the matter, & some related rulings seem contradictory. So, if we're stuck inferring RAI, a well-documented explanation that the spaces are connected, seems vital to giving a good answer, here?) \$\endgroup\$ Aug 11, 2022 at 22:07

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No, unless the hole is closed.

The description of the portable hole says:

A breathing creature within a closed portable hole can survive for up to 10 minutes, after which time it begins to suffocate.

which implies that if the hole is open, air can flow in and out. And if air can get in and out, then so can fireballs and arrows.

Furthermore, the description says:

Any creature inside an open portable hole can exit the hole by climbing out of it.

It does not specify any special restrictions on climbing out of the hole, so such exiting must just be subject to normal movement rules. It doesn't even bother to provide any description of entering the open hole, so there's every reason to believe an open hole is just an open space, and a fireball will surely fill an open space within range, and there's nothing in the text to suggest a barrier to arrows.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Ah, I would have thought this worked like the dpace created by a Rope Trick. \$\endgroup\$
    – Gael L
    Jul 6, 2018 at 12:43
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No, but check with your DM for spells

The entrance to the portable hole is not a normal, physical opening. It is a gate or portal to an extradimensional space, that works to transport things from where you are into or out of the hole.

While the game does not define how distance works accross portals in general because portals are so varied, the opening to a portable hole seems to be very similar to a physical opening where distance works normally:

  • you can pass things in or out,
  • you can climb in or out using your normal movement,
  • air is passing in or out.

If you can drop an object in, you can also shoot an arrow in. Both are objects.

For a spell like fireball, the hole has no language against counting distance normally or about blocking effects. Compared this to rope trick, that says "Attacks and spells can't cross through the entrance into or out of the extradimensional space". You would expect similar language, if it was not possible.

So, it should work and it seems likely that effects could extend into and out of the hole, and you can cast spells into and out of it, using normal, linear distance.

Allowing this for spells however enables shenanigans with glyph of warding put onto the walls of the hole, that can kill pretty much any opponent. So the DM may decide that for balance reasons this won't work. Before you rely on it, check with them, as they have the right and a valid reason to rule otherwise.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Perfect, this also answers my question; for the most part: It occurs to me that some divination or planar-specific effects might not cross such connections, but I'm failing to think of any off-hand. Banishments could work differently depending who's standing where, but aside from that? \$\endgroup\$ Aug 13, 2022 at 7:37
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    \$\begingroup\$ If you have a specific question about the interaction in a corner case where it might behave different, it would be best to post it as a separate question so answers can be well reasoned and permanent (or modify your question that was closed as a dupe to focus on that which might be more acceptable to those that closed it). Off-hand, I also cannot think of anything. \$\endgroup\$ Aug 13, 2022 at 7:45
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Fireballs No, Arrows Maybe

The Portable Hole states:

It unfolds into a circular sheet 6 feet in diameter. You can use an action to unfold a portable hole and place it on or against a solid surface, whereupon the portable hole creates an extradimensional hole 10 feet deep.

This suggests that once unfolded, there is now an open entrance that is 6' wide on the outside and 10' deep on the inside.

Fireball

A hole that is within the range of a fireball would definitely put anyone/anything inside at risk because Fireball states:

The fire spreads around corners. It ignites flammable objects in the area that aren't being worn or carried.

The magical fireball would extend into the hole and ignite anyone/anything inside it.

There is also a potential risk that the Portable Hole could be damaged by the fire as well.

Arrows

This is more of a DM decision, because it is unclear whether or not you can see into the environs of the portable hole. I could see a case for either, but it will depend on the GM determine line of sight. If there is one, you can fire at a target, if there isn't, then you'd have to pick a location in the hole at fire at disadvantage (unseen target.)

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