Ask the Sage: Quick Rules Questions volume 7 (DnD 5e)

[zevonian]

Thunderwave. How do you see it played out on a map? 15' meaning a 3x3 (5' squares) effect in front of the caster...or is the caster in the center of the blast and the spell affects everyone within 15' of them?

[jj_wolven]

You can choose any square with a face (flat, not a diagonal) adjacent to or including you. This is because it is a cube, not a 'burst'. The definition of cube in 5e verifies this.

-me

[zevonian]

Thanks for that. Got a DM that likes throwing lots of little baddies at the party. Need to make sure I have one area spell I can do without necessarily hitting party members.