Does Turn Undead Cancel Sanctuary?

The answer to the question of whether Turn Undead cancels Sanctuary is straightforward: No, Turn Undead does not cancel Sanctuary because it is solely a Class Ability that uses an Action and does not affect enemies directly in a way that would end the Sanctuary spell. The key factor here is understanding the nature of Turn Undead as a Class Ability rather than a spell that affects enemies, which would be the primary reason for Sanctuary to end, according to its rules.

Understanding Sanctuary and Turn Undead

To grasp why Turn Undead does not cancel Sanctuary, it’s essential to understand what each of these abilities does. Sanctuary is a spell that prevents creatures from attacking the warded creature, making it a powerful defensive tool. On the other hand, Turn Undead is a Class Ability used by Clerics to repel undead creatures, forcing them to retreat from the area.

FAQs About Sanctuary and Turn Undead

Below are some frequently asked questions about Sanctuary, Turn Undead, and related topics that provide more insight into their uses and limitations.

1. What breaks Sanctuary?

• Sanctuary ends if the warded creature makes an attack, casts a spell that affects an enemy, or deals damage to another creature.

1. Does Hold Person break Sanctuary?

• Yes, Hold Person breaks Sanctuary because it is a spell that affects an enemy.

1. Can you target yourself with Sanctuary?

• Yes, you can cast Sanctuary on yourself as a strategy to protect yourself in combat.

1. Does Channel Divinity-Turn Undead break Sanctuary?

• No, Channel Divinity-Turn Undead does not break Sanctuary since it’s a Class Ability that does not directly affect enemies in a manner that would end Sanctuary.

1. Does grappling break Sanctuary?

• Maintaining a grapple does not break Sanctuary if the grapple was initiated before casting Sanctuary.

1. Does Counterspell stop Sanctuary?

• No, an enemy’s Counterspell does not have a role in ending your Sanctuary spell.

1. Do Spirit Guardians cancel Sanctuary?

• Spirit Guardians can end Sanctuary if they affect an enemy creature, as this counts as the warded creature dealing damage or affecting an enemy.

1. Does Armor of Agathys break Sanctuary?

• Yes, if Armor of Agathys deals damage to a creature, it will end Sanctuary.

1. Does Help action break Sanctuary?

• No, the Help action does not end Sanctuary because it does not involve attacking, casting a spell that affects an enemy, or dealing damage.

1. Does Hexproof protect from Counterspell?

   • No, Hexproof does not prevent a creature spell from being countered by Counterspell.

2. Does Sanctuary work against Fireball?

   • Sanctuary does not protect against area effects like the explosion of a Fireball.

3. Does attacking with Spiritual Weapon break Sanctuary?

   • Yes, using a Spiritual Weapon to attack would break Sanctuary because it involves making an attack.

4. Can you use Sanctuary with Spirit Guardians?

   • Sanctuary ends if Spirit Guardians affect an enemy creature, indicating the warded creature is dealing damage.

5. What happens when you turn undead?

   • A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move away from you and cannot willingly move within 30 feet of you or take reactions.

6. Is Strahd immune to Turn Undead?

   • No, as a vampire, Strahd is susceptible to Turn Undead since vampires are undead creatures.