I started this blog as a way to force myself to learn the D&D 5e Spells and then other things got added and it started to seem useful. I'm still adding spells, but It's not my day job, so I might be a bit slow about it. ~Dave
P.S. if you'd like to help write spell or module reviews, send me a message!
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Detect Magic
Classes: Artificer, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
level: 1
School: Divination
Casting Time: 1 Action
Concentration, Ritual
Detect Magic – Can it be used to see invisible objects or creatures? Let’s review!
Mind Sliver
Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 Action
Mind Sliver – Is it a good spell, though? My take is yes…
Thunderous Smite
Classes: Paladin
level: 1
School: Evocation
Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action
Concentration
Thunderous Smite – Loud and proud! This noisy Paladin spell can end a fight, but are you using it tactically?
Programmed Illusion
Classes: Bard, Wizard
level: 6
School: Illusion
Casting Time: 1 Action
Programmed Illusion – Is this illusion spell useful? Maybe, if you have enough time to prepare.
Encode Thoughts
Classes: Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 Action
Encode Thoughts – Psychic security measures, save encode bits of information straight from your psyche.
Ray of Frost
Classes: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Evocation
Casting Time: 1 Action
D&D 5E Ray of Frost – Yeah, it’s cool, but are you using it strategically?
Sapping Sting
Classes: Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Necromancy
Casting Time: 1 Action
Sapping Sting – Let’s review Sapping Sting. D4 damage is okay, knocking someone prone is better than okay!
Shocking Grasp
Classes: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Evocation
Casting Time: 1 Action
Shocking Grasp – Like a joy buzzer except with less joy and more ouch. Get creative with it.
Toll the Dead
Classes: Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Necromancy
Casting Time: 1 Action
Spell review for 5th Edition Toll the Dead Cantrip from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Cure Wounds
Classes: Artificer, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger
level: 1
School:
Casting Time: 1 Action
Cure Wounds – Even in 5e D&D, having healing spells is still necessary. Now available to … not quite everybody, but a lot more than it used to be.
Ceremony
Classes: Cleric, Paladin, Warlock, Wizard
level: 1
School: Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 Hour
Ritual
Ceremony – An odd spell that has got to be useful somehow, right? Let’s review.
Create Bonfire
Classes: Artificer, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 Action
Concentration
Create Bonfire: It sounds like a great trick for beach parties, but it’s actually a dangerous cantrip-level spell.
Animal Friendship
Classes: Bard, Druid, Ranger
level: 1
School: Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 Action
Animal Friendship – Combo with Speak with Animals or you might be disappointed. Still a great spell, though.
Lightning Lure
Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Evocation
Casting Time: 1 Action
5E cantrip spell Lightning Lure – Zappity-yank! Utility plus damage plus just good fun.
Catnap
Classes: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
level: 3
School: Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 Action
Catnap – Sounds good in life, but is it good in D&D?
Prestidigitation
Classes: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 Action
This is another classic D&D spell going back several editions and has been either under-used and ignored, or used to create effects it really shouldn’t.
Word of Radiance
Classes: Cleric
level: Cantrip
School: Evocation
Casting Time: 1 Action
Word of Radiance- turn your cleric into a walking fireball! Except, not really.
Chill Touch
Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
level: Cantrip
School: Necromancy
Casting Time: 1 Action
The first thing that always strikes me about this spell is how the name implies the range is touch, but not only is it a ranged spell, it’s 120′, which is a pretty decent range even. And then there’s more…
