Can you use Vicious Mockery to win an argument or gain favours?












3












$begingroup$


Though I know that RAW states that Vicious Mockery is initiated through a "string of insults", my question is about what would happen if you used it elsewhere than a tavern brawl or the like.



As a reference, the cantrip Vicious Mockery is written as:




You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you
(though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom
saving throw or take
1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on
the next attack
roll it makes before the end of its next turn.



This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4),
11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).




Unlike similar opinion-effecting spells like Friends and Charm Person, the wording of this spell doesn't finish with a caveat "when the spell ends, they will know you influenced them and it will piss them off", revealing that, it's the insults and not the subtle enchantments that will upset them.



Given this, my understanding of how the cantrip works is that you insult someone, using magical enchantments to boost the persuasiveness of your words. If they fail a wisdom saving throw, they take your words to heart, shading their next move with a veil of sadness, doubt, or fear clouding their judgment. As your words sting, they take minute psychic damage.



If that's the case then, I'm curious to know what would happen if your character tried lacing the same subtle enchantments while attempting other feats of persuasion?



Would your words of endearment seem more authentic when using it to court a potential partner? Would your opinion seem more valid when using it to settle an argument? Would the opinion someone has of you become more likable when trying to dispel doubt in an argument? ... Or will everything sound like an insult?



Though I realize that this does not guarantee the character's desired outcome and the added effects can be negated if they succeed a wisdom saving throw, I'm wondering if it would be a way for a character to increase their chance for a favorable outcome without the other person feeling swindled or used in the end...










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    For those curious, my understanding was based on the fact that the spell sounds like the bullying remarks to a depressed person. I didn't realize that psychic damage was actually fatal here.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    you may find rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/134159/… interesting, as it approaches the uniqueness of this particular spell from a somewhat different direction.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @BenBarden I did read it before posting. Though I see the link, it's still focusing on the vicious part and I was curious about the "lace with enchantment" part. Again, I mistook psychic damage to be "mental trauma"
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    49 mins ago
















3












$begingroup$


Though I know that RAW states that Vicious Mockery is initiated through a "string of insults", my question is about what would happen if you used it elsewhere than a tavern brawl or the like.



As a reference, the cantrip Vicious Mockery is written as:




You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you
(though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom
saving throw or take
1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on
the next attack
roll it makes before the end of its next turn.



This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4),
11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).




Unlike similar opinion-effecting spells like Friends and Charm Person, the wording of this spell doesn't finish with a caveat "when the spell ends, they will know you influenced them and it will piss them off", revealing that, it's the insults and not the subtle enchantments that will upset them.



Given this, my understanding of how the cantrip works is that you insult someone, using magical enchantments to boost the persuasiveness of your words. If they fail a wisdom saving throw, they take your words to heart, shading their next move with a veil of sadness, doubt, or fear clouding their judgment. As your words sting, they take minute psychic damage.



If that's the case then, I'm curious to know what would happen if your character tried lacing the same subtle enchantments while attempting other feats of persuasion?



Would your words of endearment seem more authentic when using it to court a potential partner? Would your opinion seem more valid when using it to settle an argument? Would the opinion someone has of you become more likable when trying to dispel doubt in an argument? ... Or will everything sound like an insult?



Though I realize that this does not guarantee the character's desired outcome and the added effects can be negated if they succeed a wisdom saving throw, I'm wondering if it would be a way for a character to increase their chance for a favorable outcome without the other person feeling swindled or used in the end...










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    For those curious, my understanding was based on the fact that the spell sounds like the bullying remarks to a depressed person. I didn't realize that psychic damage was actually fatal here.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    you may find rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/134159/… interesting, as it approaches the uniqueness of this particular spell from a somewhat different direction.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @BenBarden I did read it before posting. Though I see the link, it's still focusing on the vicious part and I was curious about the "lace with enchantment" part. Again, I mistook psychic damage to be "mental trauma"
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    49 mins ago














3












3








3





$begingroup$


Though I know that RAW states that Vicious Mockery is initiated through a "string of insults", my question is about what would happen if you used it elsewhere than a tavern brawl or the like.



As a reference, the cantrip Vicious Mockery is written as:




You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you
(though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom
saving throw or take
1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on
the next attack
roll it makes before the end of its next turn.



This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4),
11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).




Unlike similar opinion-effecting spells like Friends and Charm Person, the wording of this spell doesn't finish with a caveat "when the spell ends, they will know you influenced them and it will piss them off", revealing that, it's the insults and not the subtle enchantments that will upset them.



Given this, my understanding of how the cantrip works is that you insult someone, using magical enchantments to boost the persuasiveness of your words. If they fail a wisdom saving throw, they take your words to heart, shading their next move with a veil of sadness, doubt, or fear clouding their judgment. As your words sting, they take minute psychic damage.



If that's the case then, I'm curious to know what would happen if your character tried lacing the same subtle enchantments while attempting other feats of persuasion?



Would your words of endearment seem more authentic when using it to court a potential partner? Would your opinion seem more valid when using it to settle an argument? Would the opinion someone has of you become more likable when trying to dispel doubt in an argument? ... Or will everything sound like an insult?



Though I realize that this does not guarantee the character's desired outcome and the added effects can be negated if they succeed a wisdom saving throw, I'm wondering if it would be a way for a character to increase their chance for a favorable outcome without the other person feeling swindled or used in the end...










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Though I know that RAW states that Vicious Mockery is initiated through a "string of insults", my question is about what would happen if you used it elsewhere than a tavern brawl or the like.



As a reference, the cantrip Vicious Mockery is written as:




You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you
(though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom
saving throw or take
1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on
the next attack
roll it makes before the end of its next turn.



This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4),
11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).




Unlike similar opinion-effecting spells like Friends and Charm Person, the wording of this spell doesn't finish with a caveat "when the spell ends, they will know you influenced them and it will piss them off", revealing that, it's the insults and not the subtle enchantments that will upset them.



Given this, my understanding of how the cantrip works is that you insult someone, using magical enchantments to boost the persuasiveness of your words. If they fail a wisdom saving throw, they take your words to heart, shading their next move with a veil of sadness, doubt, or fear clouding their judgment. As your words sting, they take minute psychic damage.



If that's the case then, I'm curious to know what would happen if your character tried lacing the same subtle enchantments while attempting other feats of persuasion?



Would your words of endearment seem more authentic when using it to court a potential partner? Would your opinion seem more valid when using it to settle an argument? Would the opinion someone has of you become more likable when trying to dispel doubt in an argument? ... Or will everything sound like an insult?



Though I realize that this does not guarantee the character's desired outcome and the added effects can be negated if they succeed a wisdom saving throw, I'm wondering if it would be a way for a character to increase their chance for a favorable outcome without the other person feeling swindled or used in the end...







dnd-5e spells social-combat






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 44 mins ago









V2Blast

25.1k483155




25.1k483155










asked 1 hour ago









Victor BVictor B

1,106222




1,106222












  • $begingroup$
    For those curious, my understanding was based on the fact that the spell sounds like the bullying remarks to a depressed person. I didn't realize that psychic damage was actually fatal here.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    you may find rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/134159/… interesting, as it approaches the uniqueness of this particular spell from a somewhat different direction.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @BenBarden I did read it before posting. Though I see the link, it's still focusing on the vicious part and I was curious about the "lace with enchantment" part. Again, I mistook psychic damage to be "mental trauma"
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    49 mins ago


















  • $begingroup$
    For those curious, my understanding was based on the fact that the spell sounds like the bullying remarks to a depressed person. I didn't realize that psychic damage was actually fatal here.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    you may find rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/134159/… interesting, as it approaches the uniqueness of this particular spell from a somewhat different direction.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @BenBarden I did read it before posting. Though I see the link, it's still focusing on the vicious part and I was curious about the "lace with enchantment" part. Again, I mistook psychic damage to be "mental trauma"
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    49 mins ago
















$begingroup$
For those curious, my understanding was based on the fact that the spell sounds like the bullying remarks to a depressed person. I didn't realize that psychic damage was actually fatal here.
$endgroup$
– Victor B
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
For those curious, my understanding was based on the fact that the spell sounds like the bullying remarks to a depressed person. I didn't realize that psychic damage was actually fatal here.
$endgroup$
– Victor B
1 hour ago




1




1




$begingroup$
you may find rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/134159/… interesting, as it approaches the uniqueness of this particular spell from a somewhat different direction.
$endgroup$
– Ben Barden
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
you may find rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/134159/… interesting, as it approaches the uniqueness of this particular spell from a somewhat different direction.
$endgroup$
– Ben Barden
1 hour ago












$begingroup$
@BenBarden I did read it before posting. Though I see the link, it's still focusing on the vicious part and I was curious about the "lace with enchantment" part. Again, I mistook psychic damage to be "mental trauma"
$endgroup$
– Victor B
49 mins ago




$begingroup$
@BenBarden I did read it before posting. Though I see the link, it's still focusing on the vicious part and I was curious about the "lace with enchantment" part. Again, I mistook psychic damage to be "mental trauma"
$endgroup$
– Victor B
49 mins ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















13












$begingroup$

Not in the way you want it to.



Vicious Mockery isn't just "influence them to be a bit demoralized". If you continue to viciously mock someone, you can literally kill them. It's not so much making your words extra-persuasive as it is using those words as a channel to assault their mind. Worth noting that Vicious Mockery outright requires line of sight. If you can't see the target, you can't affect them with the spell. At the same time, it doesn't require that they be able to understand you - just that they be able to hear you.



Further, and more specifically, in 5e, spells do what they say they do. This one tells you what it does. It inflicts psychic damage. It doesn't do things like persuading or flattering. That's not doing psychic damage, and therefore not what the spell does.



However, at least technically, yes, you can use Vicious Mockery to win arguments or gain favors. If you meet some ruffian accosting a helpless NPC, and engage them in impassioned debate, then you could use Vicious Mockery to deal psychic damage as you inform them of details of their parentage about which they were previously unaware. If they should happen to yield the floor to you and flee (perhaps because they did not wish to die from psychic damage) then you will have won that argument by default... and the poor innocent NPC in question (ears burning) might well feel that they owed you a favor or two.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Ah, that sounds violently intrusive. I guess I misunderstood the spell.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @VictorB Well it isn't called "Pleasant" Mockery now, is it?
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Zibbobz no, but the spell sounds like the effects a depressed victim goes through when being bullied, though those words can't directly kill.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @VictorB Nope - It can definitely kill. You can, in fact, mock someone to death in 5e.
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago











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1 Answer
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active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









13












$begingroup$

Not in the way you want it to.



Vicious Mockery isn't just "influence them to be a bit demoralized". If you continue to viciously mock someone, you can literally kill them. It's not so much making your words extra-persuasive as it is using those words as a channel to assault their mind. Worth noting that Vicious Mockery outright requires line of sight. If you can't see the target, you can't affect them with the spell. At the same time, it doesn't require that they be able to understand you - just that they be able to hear you.



Further, and more specifically, in 5e, spells do what they say they do. This one tells you what it does. It inflicts psychic damage. It doesn't do things like persuading or flattering. That's not doing psychic damage, and therefore not what the spell does.



However, at least technically, yes, you can use Vicious Mockery to win arguments or gain favors. If you meet some ruffian accosting a helpless NPC, and engage them in impassioned debate, then you could use Vicious Mockery to deal psychic damage as you inform them of details of their parentage about which they were previously unaware. If they should happen to yield the floor to you and flee (perhaps because they did not wish to die from psychic damage) then you will have won that argument by default... and the poor innocent NPC in question (ears burning) might well feel that they owed you a favor or two.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Ah, that sounds violently intrusive. I guess I misunderstood the spell.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @VictorB Well it isn't called "Pleasant" Mockery now, is it?
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Zibbobz no, but the spell sounds like the effects a depressed victim goes through when being bullied, though those words can't directly kill.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @VictorB Nope - It can definitely kill. You can, in fact, mock someone to death in 5e.
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago
















13












$begingroup$

Not in the way you want it to.



Vicious Mockery isn't just "influence them to be a bit demoralized". If you continue to viciously mock someone, you can literally kill them. It's not so much making your words extra-persuasive as it is using those words as a channel to assault their mind. Worth noting that Vicious Mockery outright requires line of sight. If you can't see the target, you can't affect them with the spell. At the same time, it doesn't require that they be able to understand you - just that they be able to hear you.



Further, and more specifically, in 5e, spells do what they say they do. This one tells you what it does. It inflicts psychic damage. It doesn't do things like persuading or flattering. That's not doing psychic damage, and therefore not what the spell does.



However, at least technically, yes, you can use Vicious Mockery to win arguments or gain favors. If you meet some ruffian accosting a helpless NPC, and engage them in impassioned debate, then you could use Vicious Mockery to deal psychic damage as you inform them of details of their parentage about which they were previously unaware. If they should happen to yield the floor to you and flee (perhaps because they did not wish to die from psychic damage) then you will have won that argument by default... and the poor innocent NPC in question (ears burning) might well feel that they owed you a favor or two.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Ah, that sounds violently intrusive. I guess I misunderstood the spell.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @VictorB Well it isn't called "Pleasant" Mockery now, is it?
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Zibbobz no, but the spell sounds like the effects a depressed victim goes through when being bullied, though those words can't directly kill.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @VictorB Nope - It can definitely kill. You can, in fact, mock someone to death in 5e.
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago














13












13








13





$begingroup$

Not in the way you want it to.



Vicious Mockery isn't just "influence them to be a bit demoralized". If you continue to viciously mock someone, you can literally kill them. It's not so much making your words extra-persuasive as it is using those words as a channel to assault their mind. Worth noting that Vicious Mockery outright requires line of sight. If you can't see the target, you can't affect them with the spell. At the same time, it doesn't require that they be able to understand you - just that they be able to hear you.



Further, and more specifically, in 5e, spells do what they say they do. This one tells you what it does. It inflicts psychic damage. It doesn't do things like persuading or flattering. That's not doing psychic damage, and therefore not what the spell does.



However, at least technically, yes, you can use Vicious Mockery to win arguments or gain favors. If you meet some ruffian accosting a helpless NPC, and engage them in impassioned debate, then you could use Vicious Mockery to deal psychic damage as you inform them of details of their parentage about which they were previously unaware. If they should happen to yield the floor to you and flee (perhaps because they did not wish to die from psychic damage) then you will have won that argument by default... and the poor innocent NPC in question (ears burning) might well feel that they owed you a favor or two.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$



Not in the way you want it to.



Vicious Mockery isn't just "influence them to be a bit demoralized". If you continue to viciously mock someone, you can literally kill them. It's not so much making your words extra-persuasive as it is using those words as a channel to assault their mind. Worth noting that Vicious Mockery outright requires line of sight. If you can't see the target, you can't affect them with the spell. At the same time, it doesn't require that they be able to understand you - just that they be able to hear you.



Further, and more specifically, in 5e, spells do what they say they do. This one tells you what it does. It inflicts psychic damage. It doesn't do things like persuading or flattering. That's not doing psychic damage, and therefore not what the spell does.



However, at least technically, yes, you can use Vicious Mockery to win arguments or gain favors. If you meet some ruffian accosting a helpless NPC, and engage them in impassioned debate, then you could use Vicious Mockery to deal psychic damage as you inform them of details of their parentage about which they were previously unaware. If they should happen to yield the floor to you and flee (perhaps because they did not wish to die from psychic damage) then you will have won that argument by default... and the poor innocent NPC in question (ears burning) might well feel that they owed you a favor or two.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 1 hour ago

























answered 1 hour ago









Ben BardenBen Barden

11.2k12765




11.2k12765












  • $begingroup$
    Ah, that sounds violently intrusive. I guess I misunderstood the spell.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @VictorB Well it isn't called "Pleasant" Mockery now, is it?
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Zibbobz no, but the spell sounds like the effects a depressed victim goes through when being bullied, though those words can't directly kill.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @VictorB Nope - It can definitely kill. You can, in fact, mock someone to death in 5e.
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago


















  • $begingroup$
    Ah, that sounds violently intrusive. I guess I misunderstood the spell.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @VictorB Well it isn't called "Pleasant" Mockery now, is it?
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Zibbobz no, but the spell sounds like the effects a depressed victim goes through when being bullied, though those words can't directly kill.
    $endgroup$
    – Victor B
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @VictorB Nope - It can definitely kill. You can, in fact, mock someone to death in 5e.
    $endgroup$
    – Zibbobz
    1 hour ago
















$begingroup$
Ah, that sounds violently intrusive. I guess I misunderstood the spell.
$endgroup$
– Victor B
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
Ah, that sounds violently intrusive. I guess I misunderstood the spell.
$endgroup$
– Victor B
1 hour ago












$begingroup$
@VictorB Well it isn't called "Pleasant" Mockery now, is it?
$endgroup$
– Zibbobz
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
@VictorB Well it isn't called "Pleasant" Mockery now, is it?
$endgroup$
– Zibbobz
1 hour ago












$begingroup$
@Zibbobz no, but the spell sounds like the effects a depressed victim goes through when being bullied, though those words can't directly kill.
$endgroup$
– Victor B
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
@Zibbobz no, but the spell sounds like the effects a depressed victim goes through when being bullied, though those words can't directly kill.
$endgroup$
– Victor B
1 hour ago




1




1




$begingroup$
@VictorB Nope - It can definitely kill. You can, in fact, mock someone to death in 5e.
$endgroup$
– Zibbobz
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
@VictorB Nope - It can definitely kill. You can, in fact, mock someone to death in 5e.
$endgroup$
– Zibbobz
1 hour ago


















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