Does Sword Burst 5e in dnd target all creatures in range or only enemies?

Let me start with the text of Sword burst 5e in dnd, which states, “Each creature within range, other than you.”

The Sword Burst cantrip is from the Conjuration school. That is meant to be read, like most of 5e D&D. Therefore, each creature within range is affected by the spell. It applies in this case, 5 feet of the caster. Unfortunately, you can not get around this by using the Sculpt Spells feature from the Evocation wizard. So, without distinguishing between friendly/willing/hostile, the default is for every creature.

Does the distant spell metamagic apply to the sword burst cantrip?

The distant spell metamagic applies to sword burst. Distant spell says that you can spend one sorcery point to double the spell’s range when you cast a spell with a range of 5 feet or greater.

Sword Burst, on the other hand, works on a range of 5 ft. You create a temporary circle of spectral blades that clear around you. Every creature is within range. Therefore, when you spend one sorcery point, Sword Burst gains a range of 10′. Each creature within range might have to make a Dex save vs. your spell DC or take force damage. It would be best not to go for a combo unless you are somehow a melee sorcerer, but it is viable RAW.

Can you take the ‘Distant Spell’ metamagic choice for your Sorcerer with Sword burst cantrip? Will it increase the range from 5′ to 10′?

Yes. Suppose you cast a spell that has a range of 5 feet or higher. That declares that a 5ft range does count. Unfortunately, it is 5ft rather than touch. Hence, it is not 30ft but 2*5ft. You may spend one sorcery point to multiply two times the spell’s range. Retrieve that the sorcery point is still spent despite it remaining a cantrip. Again, cantrips are worse than leveled spells that you could also use these points on.

Many DMs may disagree as the range is self, whereas you see a range of 5ft in the source. So it is advisable to ask your DM what they perceive in their sword burst. And whether they consider if it’s self or 5ft.

Summary

• Source: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
• Conjuration cantrip
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Self: 5-foot radius
• Components: V
• Duration: Instantaneous
• You build a momentary circle of spectral blades that sweep around you. All monsters within 5 feet of you should succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 force damage.
• At Higher Levels: The spell’s damage rises by 1d6 when you reach the 5th level:2d6, 11th level:3d6, and 17th level:4d6.
• Spell Lists. Warlock, Wizard, Artificer, Sorcerer

Does Sword Burst 5e in dnd target all creatures in range or only enemies?

Let me start with the text of Sword burst 5e in dnd, which states, “Each creature within range, other than you.”

The Sword Burst cantrip is from the Conjuration school. That is meant to be read, like most of 5e D&D. Therefore, each creature within range is affected by the spell. It applies in this case, 5 feet of the caster. Unfortunately, you can not get around this by using the Sculpt Spells feature from the Evocation wizard. So, without distinguishing between friendly/willing/hostile, the default is for every creature.

Does the distant spell metamagic apply to the sword burst cantrip?

The distant spell metamagic applies to sword burst. Distant spell says that you can spend one sorcery point to double the spell’s range when you cast a spell with a range of 5 feet or greater.

Sword Burst, on the other hand, works on a range of 5 ft. You create a temporary circle of spectral blades that clear around you. Every creature is within range. Therefore, when you spend one sorcery point, Sword Burst gains a range of 10′. Each creature within range might have to make a Dex save vs. your spell DC or take force damage. It would be best not to go for a combo unless you are somehow a melee sorcerer, but it is viable RAW.

Can you take the ‘Distant Spell’ metamagic choice for your Sorcerer with Sword burst cantrip? Will it increase the range from 5′ to 10′?

Yes. Suppose you cast a spell that has a range of 5 feet or higher. That declares that a 5ft range does count. Unfortunately, it is 5ft rather than touch. Hence, it is not 30ft but 2*5ft. You may spend one sorcery point to multiply two times the spell’s range. Retrieve that the sorcery point is still spent despite it remaining a cantrip. Again, cantrips are worse than leveled spells that you could also use these points on.

Many DMs may disagree as the range is self, whereas you see a range of 5ft in the source. So it is advisable to ask your DM what they perceive in their sword burst. And whether they consider if it’s self or 5ft.

Summary

• Source: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
• Conjuration cantrip
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Self: 5-foot radius
• Components: V
• Duration: Instantaneous
• You build a momentary circle of spectral blades that sweep around you. All monsters within 5 feet of you should succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 force damage.
• At Higher Levels: The spell’s damage rises by 1d6 when you reach the 5th level:2d6, 11th level:3d6, and 17th level:4d6.
• Spell Lists. Warlock, Wizard, Artificer, Sorcerer