I was reading the description of the Raulothim's Psychic Lance spell (Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, p. 21) and I was left with a question. Raulothim's Psychic Lance gives the following alternative targeting rule:
Alternatively, you can utter a creature's name. If the named target is within range, it becomes the spell's target even if you can't see it. If the named target isn't within range, the lance dissipates without effect.
The question I'm left with: If the psychic lance is "dissipated" in this fashion, when cast from a spellcaster that uses spell slots, does psychic lance consume the spell slot?
My first thought is to go to the Invalid Spell Targets rules (XGE, p. 85-86), which state the following relevant section:
If you cast a spell on someone or something that can't be affected by the spell, nothing happens to that target, but if you used a spell slot to cast the spell, the slot is still expended.
However, this applies generally to all spells if you target someone/something that is an invalid target. Raulothim's Psychic Lance has specific language dealing with the target not being there, however it's not clear to me what "dissipate" would mean in relation to spell slots.
So, in my mind, this leaves me with the following possible answers:
"If the named target isn't within range, the lance dissipates without effect"...
- ... is a restatement of the rules for Invalid Spell Targets in XGE, and the spell slot is consumed.
- ... is a specific rule for the spell, and "dissipates without effect" means the spell slot is consumed.
- ... is a specific rule for the spell, and "dissipates without effect" means the spell slot is not consumed.
Which interpretation is correct?