The evoker wizard feature Sculpt Spells is worded thusly:
Beginning at 2nd level, you can create pockets of relative safety within the effects of your evocation spells. When you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures that you can see, you can choose a number of them equal to 1 + the spell's level. The chosen creatures automatically succeed on their saving throws against the spell, and they take no damage if they would normally take half damage on a successful save.
This is mainly designed to enhance instantaneous spells and is a bit tricky to interpret in relation to other evocation spells.
My question is about the Melf's minute meteors spell. Below, I have tried to collect the relevant parts of its description:
Range: Self
You create six tiny meteors in your space. [...] When you cast the spell — and as a bonus action on each of your turns thereafter — you can expend one or two of the meteors [...] Each creature within 5 feet of the point where the meteor explodes must make a Dexterity saving throw.
How does this spell interact with the Sculpt Spells feature? I have thought of some possible options:
- Not at all. The spell itself does not "affect other creatures", as it has a range of Self, and thus does not qualify for the feature.
- Only the first two meteors. Shooting the first two meteors is part of casting the spell, as it happens with the same action. You can protect creatures from these two explosions, but not from those created on other turns.
- Sculpted for the whole duration. The feature does not say that the damage has to happen instantly and it provides protection "on their saving throws against the spell", as in any and all of them. So, while you have to choose the creatures at the time of casting, they remain protected from all explosions created with it.
Is one of these right or is there maybe another option?