Page 102 of PHB says when a spell is cast with the twinning "that target only one creature and doesn't have a range of self" you can "target a second creature in range with the same spell"

Does you interpret that it could be used with a touch attack spell, such as shocking grasp, on a second creature within melee?  For example, shocking grasp affecting two orcs within 5 feet with one casting of the spell, spending the appropriate sorcery points.

Thanks

Seems so. It does not exclude touch in its limitations so yeah. You could twin a touch spell.

Here is a little more from the official FAQ.

QuoteTwinned Spell (p. 102).
 To be eligible for Twinned Spell, a spell must be incapable of targeting more than one creature at the spell's current level.

Quote from: Omega;881174Seems so. It does not exclude touch in its limitations so yeah. You could twin a touch spell.

Here is a little more from the official FAQ.

In addition to all that, it really doesn't look game-breaking either, so I personally wouldn't sweat it.

And a related personal question.

Do you think Ligntning and especially Chain Lightning could be twinned? Both target one creature. But can hit things past the creature. The twinning description does not seem to exclude "beam" spells like that. Seems a bit overpowered to allow?

I believe lightning bolt has a range of self. So no.

Quote from: Vic99;881142Page 102 of PHB says when a spell is cast with the twinning "that target only one creature and doesn't have a range of self" you can "target a second creature in range with the same spell"

Does you interpret that it could be used with a touch attack spell, such as shocking grasp, on a second creature within melee?  For example, shocking grasp affecting two orcs within 5 feet with one casting of the spell, spending the appropriate sorcery points.

Thanks

Spells can call for a melee spell attack roll, or a ranged spell attack roll. The twinning does not use either of those terms so the only thing you need to do is look at the range of the spell. If it is not self then twinning can be used with that spell. In general spells that describe the attack as touching the target are using a melee spell attack roll.

Quote from: Omega;881178And a related personal question.

Do you think Ligntning and especially Chain Lightning could be twinned? Both target one creature. But can hit things past the creature. The twinning description does not seem to exclude "beam" spells like that. Seems a bit overpowered to allow?

Lightning has a range of Self (100-foot line) so the answer is no.
Chain Lightning has a 150 feet range. So twinning can be used on the Chain Lightning spell.

Quote from: Vic99;881198I believe lightning bolt has a range of self. So no.

Self. Just noticed that. Thanks!
Explains why my wizard kept zapping himself, and the rest of the party, and occasionally the monster, and possibly some innocent, or not-so-innocent bystanders...

Quote from: estar;881224Lightning has a range of Self (100-foot line) so the answer is no.
Chain Lightning has a 150 feet range. So twinning can be used on the Chain Lightning spell.

I havent used lightning since the playtest. And in the playtest it did not have a range of self. It is not a Warlock spell so i have not had any reason to scrutinize it.

I asked because was watching a recent anime that is based off D&D and one of the characters used twin empowered chain lightning.

Quote from: estar;881224Chain Lightning has a 150 feet range. So twinning can be used on the Chain Lightning spell.

Except Chain Lightning can target multiple creatures (up to four, the additional targets being close to the original one)). The test is whether the spell is capable of targeting multiple creatures (at the level it's cast at), not whether it does in a particular case. So Chain Lightning even with only one creature available as a target can't be twinned.

Yes/No/Maybee.
The chain lightning desc says it targets a single creature. From there it can leap to new targets. But the initial target is just one. And thats what Twinned applies. Targets only one creature. Chain lightning says target one creature. Yet it can hop.

But of course read it as you will. Its a gray area.

As usual, Crawford says No. Mearls says Yes.

Quote from: Player's Handbook Errata Version 1.1Twinned Spell (p. 102). To be eligible for Twinned Spell, a spell must be incapable of targeting more than one creature at the spell's current level.

Quote from: Player's Basic Rules Version 0.2You create a bolt of lightning that arcs toward a target of your choice that you can see within range. Three bolts then leap from that target to as many as three other targets, each of which must be within 30 feet of the first target. A target can be a creature or an object and can be targeted by only one of the bolts.

A target must make a Dexterity saving throw. The target takes 10d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 7th level or higher, one additional bolt leaps from the first target to another target for each slot level above 6th.

A spell descriptions that includes "other targets" where every target takes the same damage? It's pretty black and white.

Chain Lightning is a "Nope." at my table.

Quote from: rawma;882694A spell descriptions that includes "other targets" where every target takes the same damage? It's pretty black and white.

Its pretty not black and white. The initial stroke targets one. Even at higher levels you cant split it up. After that initial target, then it leaps. It is the wording that is the issue. It is one of the many oddly worded bits in 5e that leaves it up to interpretation.

Personally as a DM I'd explain my thoughts on it. (See below.) Then poll the players for what they think. Nox is playing a Sorcerer so it may come up if he ever gets Chain Lightning.

You can definitely Twin Disintegrate. ow. In fact. If you can't Twin Chain lightning then Disintegrate is the only 6th level Sorcerer combat spell you can Twin.

Quick calculations. Disintegrate averages 75 (max 100) damage. Chain Lightning averages 45 (max 80), so average 90 (max 160) if you could catch two targets with the twinned version so they then zap eachother. The averages (assuming a secondary zap) aren't too far off from eachother. But the max for Chain is prohibitively more. As a DM I'd say if the Sorcerer was ok with dropping Chain down to a d6, thus averaging 70 (Max 120, also assuming a secondary zap) then sure. Can Twin it. Otherwise. No.
(Or even down to a d4. Which would dock the average to 50 and the max to 80.)

Quote from: rawma;882391Except Chain Lightning can target multiple creatures (up to four, the additional targets being close to the original one)). The test is whether the spell is capable of targeting multiple creatures (at the level it's cast at), not whether it does in a particular case. So Chain Lightning even with only one creature available as a target can't be twinned.

Except that the chain lightning spell starts off only with one target. It is my view that the limitation imposed on twinning is meant so that it did not include area effect spells like fireball. While Chain Lightning effect more than one target it is not an area effect spell. Instead it starts off targeting an individual and it gets extra attacks afterwards.

It is ambiguous and there is a case for ruling either way.