5th Edition Spells – Primal Savagery

Primal Savagery

Druid - Cantrip Level Spell

School: Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: Self
Components: Somatic
Duration: Instantaneous
Attack/Save: Melee
Reference: XGE 163

You channel primal magic to cause your teeth or fingernails to sharpen, ready to deliver a corrosive attack. Make a melee spell attack against one creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 acid damage. After you make the attack, your teeth or fingernails return to normal. The spell’s damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

Claw image for D&D 5th edition Primal Savagery spellMy Comments: Rawr! I love the idea of this spell. That druid seemed like such a nice, calm humanoid until they saw someone kick a puppy in the street. Then they popped claws and went all primal on that jerk.

It’s odd to me that they chose to make it acid damage, though. Why acid? It doesn’t make sense to me thematically, so I’m going to guess it was a choice based on game mechanics and balance. For example, maybe it was unbalanced as poison or just straight up slashing damage. After all, if I remember right, fewer creatures have resistance to acid damage than other types.

The next thing that struck me is that the spell takes a whole action but it also includes making a melee attack as part of the spell, so really, a druid that’s okay with getting up close and personal might as well spam this every turn. After all, it’s better than most weapons Druids are proficient in by a long shot. Plus, I believe, as a spell attack it should bypass resistance to non-magical weapons, right?

As I said, I think this is a great spell. Not just fun but can be effective as well.

[P.S. Check out the Wacky Dungeon game just above the footer!]

Dave Goff

Writing and creating in my spare time to avoid going crazy in this mad, mad, world. Check out some of my materials on DMsGuild and let me know what you think! subscribe to keep up with new posts and leave comments to keep the conversation going.

2 Comments

  1. KHOLLAND on September 17, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    That is sum impressive damage

  2. Robert on February 14, 2020 at 12:04 pm

    I’m a Barbarian multiclassing to druid… this is perfect for me.

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