Spirit Guardians 5e: Your Ultimate Guide
Welcome to my ultimate guide on Spirit Guardians in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition! If you’re a cleric looking to harness the power of protective spirits and deal damage to your enemies, then this spell is for you. Spirit Guardians is a third-level cleric spell that summons ethereal beings to guard and defend you and your allies in combat.
When you cast Spirit Guardians, an invisible barrier is created within a 15-foot radius around you. Any enemy creature that enters or starts their turn in this area will suffer the wrath of these summoned spirits. The spell not only damages enemies but also slows them down, making it an invaluable asset in battle.
Key Takeaways:
- Spirit Guardians is a powerful third-level cleric spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5e.
- The spell creates a protective barrier within a 15-foot radius, damaging and slowing down enemy creatures.
- It requires verbal, somatic, and material components and lasts up to 10 minutes with concentration.
- To make the most of Spirit Guardians, cast it before combat to create a defensive position for your party.
- The spell’s range is a 15-foot radius around the caster, dealing damage and slowing affected creatures.
How to Use Spirit Guardians 5e
To make the most of Spirit Guardians, it is ideal to cast the spell before combat, creating a defensive position for your party. The spell’s range is a 15-foot radius around the caster, and any enemy creature within this range must make a Wisdom saving throw or take 3d8 damage (radiant or necrotic depending on the caster’s alignment). Additionally, the spell halves the speed of affected creatures. Players can also strategically move enemies in and out of the Spirit Guardians range using certain spells or feats. It is important to note that Spirit Guardians’ damage is dealt at the beginning of an enemy’s turn.
If you want to maximize the effectiveness of Spirit Guardians, here are some key tips:
- Positioning: Cast the spell before initiating combat to create a defensive position for your party. Place yourself strategically within the battlefield to ensure maximum coverage of the 15-foot radius.
- Saving Throw: Remember that enemy creatures within the range of Spirit Guardians must make a Wisdom saving throw to resist the spell’s effects. A successful save reduces or negates the damage and speed reduction.
- Damaging Effects: Spirit Guardians deals 3d8 damage to affected creatures. The damage type is determined by the caster’s alignment, either radiant or necrotic. This damage occurs at the beginning of an enemy’s turn, allowing for consistent damage output.
- Speed Reduction: The spell also halves the speed of affected creatures, making it harder for enemies to maneuver and escape the area of effect.
- Strategic Movement: Utilize spells or feats that allow you to manipulate enemy position, such as spells with forced movement or abilities that push or pull creatures. By moving enemies into or out of the Spirit Guardians’ range, you can control when they take damage and potentially maximize its impact.
Example Scenario:
Imagine your party is about to engage in a tough battle. As a Cleric, you cast Spirit Guardians before combat begins, positioning yourself near the center of the battlefield. As enemy creatures approach, they must make Wisdom saving throws to resist the spell’s effects. Those who fail are immediately affected by the radiant or necrotic damage, and their speed is halved. This buys your party valuable time and weakens the enemy forces, making it easier for your group to secure victory.
As seen in the example scenario, Spirit Guardians can be a game-changer in combat situations. By understanding the mechanics and strategies behind the spell, you can utilize it effectively to control the battlefield and support your party members.
Spirit Guardians Range and Damage
| Spell Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Spell Level | 3rd Level |
| Range | Self (15-foot radius) |
| Area of Effect | 15-foot radius around the caster |
| Saving Throw | Wisdom |
| Damage | 3d8 (radiant or necrotic) |
| Speed Reduction | Half speed for affected creatures |
| Duration | Up to 10 minutes with concentration |
Scaling and Benefits of Spirit Guardians 5e
While Spirit Guardians may seem limited at lower levels, it becomes more powerful as the caster levels up. By casting the spell using higher-level spell slots, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 3rd. As the spell lasts for up to 10 minutes, it is highly effective in enclosed spaces such as dungeons, turning the entire room into a trap for enemies. The ability to exclude certain creatures from being affected by Spirit Guardians adds versatility to its usage.
Scaling Benefits
| Spell Level | Damage |
|---|---|
| 3rd | 3d8 |
| 4th | 4d8 |
| 5th | 5d8 |
| 6th | 6d8 |
As the caster surpasses the 3rd level, Spirit Guardians’ damage increases by 1d8 for each level. This scaling allows for more devastating effects against enemy creatures, particularly in higher-level encounters.
Wide Area Effect
The spell’s 10-minute duration and 15-foot radius make it a remarkable choice for enclosed spaces such as dungeons or narrow corridors. When cast strategically, Spirit Guardians can turn an entire room into a deadly trap, damaging any enemy within its range. This effectively controls the battlefield and provides valuable support to the party.
Selective Targeting
An additional advantage of Spirit Guardians is the ability to exclude certain creatures from being affected by the spell. This enables the caster to protect allies or specific entities, adding versatility to the spell’s usage. The selective targeting can be crucial in situations where the party needs to navigate through a group of enemies or protect non-combatants from harm.
Spirit Guardians in Multi-Class Builds
Players have discovered various multi-class builds that maximize the potential of Spirit Guardians. Let me share with you two notable builds that showcase the versatility and strategic use of this powerful spell.
Divine Sorcerer and Hexblade Warlock
One intriguing build involves combining the Divine Sorcerer and Hexblade Warlock classes to unleash devastating blade cantrips in combination with Spirit Guardians. By casting spells like Green-Flame Blade or Booming Blade, you can amplify your damage output while triggering Spirit Guardians’ effects multiple times in a round.
Additionally, the Hexblade Warlock’s ability to push or pull enemies with the Eldritch Blast cantrip can be utilized to manipulate the positioning of creatures, ensuring they enter or remain within the Spirit Guardians’ protective radius. This synergy allows you to control the battlefield and deal consistent damage to your foes.
Lore Bard and Spirit Guardians’ Sustained Damage
Another effective build incorporates the Lore Bard class, which complements Spirit Guardians with spells like Lightning Lure and Spiritual Weapon. By combining these spells, you can create a sustained damage output while benefiting from Spirit Guardians’ protective capabilities.
The Lightning Lure spell, for example, allows you to pull enemies closer to you, triggering Spirit Guardians’ damage as they move within range. Meanwhile, the Spiritual Weapon spell provides an additional source of damage, allowing you to maintain pressure on enemies while conserving spell slots.
These multi-class builds highlight the creative ways players have harnessed Spirit Guardians’ potential to optimize their combat effectiveness. Whether you prefer the close-quarters devastation of the Divine Sorcerer and Hexblade Warlock or the versatile spellcasting of the Lore Bard, Spirit Guardians can be a valuable asset in your arsenal.
Common Questions and Misconceptions about Spirit Guardians 5e
In the world of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, the spell Spirit Guardians has garnered much attention and discussion. However, there are several common misconceptions surrounding this powerful spell that can lead to confusion among players. Let’s debunk these misconceptions and shed light on how Spirit Guardians truly works.
Myth 1: Spirit Guardians deals damage immediately
The truth is: Spirit Guardians does not deal damage the moment it is cast. Instead, the damage occurs when an enemy creature enters the spell’s area of effect or starts its turn within the radius. This means that timing and positioning are crucial for maximizing the spell’s damage potential. Planning ahead and strategically placing Spirit Guardians can create a formidable defensive barrier that punishes enemies who dare to approach.
Myth 2: Moving into the range triggers damage
Let’s set the record straight: Unlike some area of effect spells, moving into the radius of Spirit Guardians does not trigger immediate damage. However, if an enemy creature is moved into the range of the spell during its turn, the damage will be applied. This distinction is important to remember, as it can influence tactical decisions and spell sequencing.
Myth 3: Line of sight restricts unaffected creatures
Contrary to popular belief: The spell’s designation of unaffected creatures is limited to those within the caster’s line of sight. This means that creatures hidden from view or behind obstacles will still be affected by Spirit Guardians. Casters should carefully consider their positioning and be aware that they cannot selectively shield allies from the spell’s effects if they are out of sight.
Myth 4: Spirit Guardians’ area of effect ignores obstacles
Here’s the truth: The area of effect for Spirit Guardians does not bypass corners, walls, or any other physical barriers. The spell’s protective spirits cannot move through solid objects, so enemies can take cover behind walls or structures to lessen the damage they may receive. Properly positioning Spirit Guardians to maximize its coverage while considering the environment’s layout is essential for unleashing its full potential.
Myth 5: Damage stacking with multiple casters
It’s up to interpretation: The interaction between multiple casters using Spirit Guardians and the stacking of damage is a point that varies between Dungeon Masters’ interpretations. Some may rule that the damage from Spirit Guardians stacks when multiple casters with the spell are present, while others may limit the damage to a single instance. It’s important to consult your DM to understand their ruling on this matter and ensure fair gameplay for everyone involved.
Now that we’ve dispelled these misconceptions, you can confidently wield the power of Spirit Guardians in D&D 5e. Remember, this spell offers incredible defensive capabilities and can turn the tides of battle when strategically employed. Harness its strength, protect your allies, and smite your enemies with the relentless spirits at your side.
Conclusion
Spirit Guardians is an essential spell for Clerics playing Dungeons & Dragons 5e. Its unique combination of protective and offensive abilities makes it a valuable asset for any cleric character. By mastering the mechanics and optimal usage of the spell, players can effectively control the battlefield and provide support to their party members.
Whether you choose to focus on a single-class Cleric build or incorporate Spirit Guardians into a multi-class combination, this spell shines in various scenarios. It allows you to create a defensive barrier and deal damage to enemy creatures within a 15-foot radius. Furthermore, the ability to scale the spell’s power by casting it with higher-level spell slots makes it a versatile choice for long-lasting encounters.
When strategically positioning Spirit Guardians, you can turn the tide of battle in your favor. By casting the spell before combat begins, you establish a defensive position that can effectively hinder enemy movement and deal consistent damage. Its versatility extends to enclosed spaces like dungeons, where it can turn an entire room into a trap for enemies.
With its powerful protective aura and damage-dealing capabilities, Spirit Guardians proves to be a formidable tool for Clerics in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. Understanding its mechanics and knowing when to cast it can greatly enhance your performance as a cleric and leader on the battlefield. So harness the power of the spirits and let Spirit Guardians guide you to victory!
FAQ
What is Spirit Guardians in Dungeons & Dragons 5e?
Spirit Guardians is a third-level Cleric spell that summons protective spirits to damage and slow down enemy creatures within a 15-foot radius of the caster.
How can I make the most of Spirit Guardians?
To maximize the effectiveness of Spirit Guardians, it is recommended to cast the spell before combat to create a defensive position for your party. The spell’s range is a 15-foot radius around the caster, and any enemy creature within this range must make a Wisdom saving throw or take damage and have their speed halved.
How does Spirit Guardians scale and what are its benefits?
By casting Spirit Guardians using higher-level spell slots, the damage increases for each level above 3rd. The spell’s duration lasts up to 10 minutes, making it highly effective in enclosed spaces like dungeons. The ability to exclude certain creatures from being affected adds versatility to its usage.
How can I incorporate Spirit Guardians in multi-class builds?
Players have explored various multi-class builds to optimize the use of Spirit Guardians. Notable combinations include a Divine Sorcerer with a Hexblade Warlock and a Lore Bard. Each build offers unique advantages and playstyles.
What are some common questions and misconceptions about Spirit Guardians 5e?
Some common misconceptions include the spell dealing damage upon being cast (it only damages when enemies enter the area), the range of the spell not going around corners or through walls, and the interaction and stacking of damage between multiple casters being open to interpretation.