D&D 5e: Every Psychic Damage Spell Ranked

Bob and Sam go through every spell in D&D 5e that deals psychic damage and rank them in tiers.
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[@seanjardine3128]

No beard Robert is going to haunt my dreams for eternity; causing 8D6 psychic damage.

[@xiongray]

Psychic Fireball

[@cavernsandcreatures]

The root issues behind my lack of beard are causing me much more psychic damage than that.

[@rodneytucker8230]

Having used Mental Prison with twinned spell at the table, locking down 2 targets (both failed the save) and then have someone eldritch blast them with repelling blast (moving them out of the spell) taking 15D10 psychic damage on each in the turn plus the eldritch blast is a great way of doing 30D10 total, without counting the eldritch blast damage is a combo that will I will remember with great fondness.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

Legendary!

[@flosse89]

I had a fantastic time upcasting shadow blade to 3rd level with my bladesinger. I also think an arcane trickster might appreciate it for the inbuilt advantage in dark or dim light.

[@flosse89]

Also, I think you don’t take into account that Dex or strength ability modifiers get added to its damage. It out-damages all non-magical weapons and with the built-in advantage out-damages many magic weapons too when in dim light or darkness.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

Some warlocks might have fun with this as well.

[@007ohboy]

Phychic Lance is number 1 for sure. Incapacitated? Cool. Attack on the weakest saves usually? Yes! And does a bit of damage? Lovely. Mindsliver is #2 because Sorcerer Quicken Spell. Mindsliver - Action Quicken Spell Polymorph - Bonus Action Turn them into a turtle and stick them in a bag of holding to suffocate to death. Dust your shoulders off. Smoke the finest weed in all the shire. 😊

[@seanjardine3128]

@@007ohboy no love for synaptic static?

[@007ohboy]

@seanjardine3128 It's a great spell but not my flavor. Id just rather upcast fireball or hit them with Hypnotic Pattern. I'm biased toward total shutdown spells or going for damage. S Static does a lot including damage but it's not a total shutdown. If Sorcerers got more spells I'd think about adding for those situations when it's best applied.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

A fine retirement plan.

[@xiongray]

Tasha's Mind Whip should be higher, at least A- or S-tier. 2nd level Spell, upcasting gets more targets, targets INT Save, eats actions & reactions, & always delivers damage.

[@j.sargenthill9773]

I agree. one thing I forgot about when I started using this spell is that it allows you to get away from attacks of opportunity, like a more powerful shocking grasp, and can even be upcast if you're surrounded by multiple enemies. I guess there are easier ways to deal with that scenario though...

[@cavernsandcreatures]

B isn't bad. I like Tasha's Mind Whip. It's just not something you can use for reliable results.

[@princephantom1294]

@@cavernsandcreatures I disagree. This spell is very reliable. Cast it on a melee enemy who doesn’t have anyone near them and all they can do is move. If someone is near them, just tell that party member to make their attacks then back off so the enemy’s turn is wasted.

[@matthewlaird5235]

I’m watching this and commenting before you see anything, they are going to say that nothing is better than fireball.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

Fireball doesn't do psychic damage.

[@seanjardine3128]

Synaptic static and Tasha’s mind whip got dogged!

[@cavernsandcreatures]

B isn't bad!

[@WilliamRoop-xt6rp]

The issue I have with single target illusion magic is whether anyone NOT affected by it could grant another save to disbelieve... When everyone sees it, there is doubt keeping them guessing.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

I don't know what spell you're referring to.

[@WilliamRoop-xt6rp]

@@cavernsandcreatures phantasmal force. And to a lesser effect - phantasmal killer.

[@chadcurtis7967]

Synaptic Static should be higher, you are sleeping in the Int saving throw, most hordes of monsters will fail and take full damage and 1 minute of no concentration -1d6 to attacks and saves.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

B isn't bad. I like Synaptic Static.

[@princephantom1294]

Alright, I need to dispel that thing about mind sliver and divination wizards. Yes, you can use the spell that way. My question is, why the heck would you use a terrible high level spell to regain a lower level slot? It’s not actually saving you any resources, because you’re essentially throwing away the slot you used to cast mind sliver since it likely did hardly any damage and its effect is minimal. Also I will bang the drum that wrathful smite is the one good smite spell until they inevitably ruin it in the next edition. The frighten is nearly impossible to get out of, and by simply backing away, the Paladin has almost completely neutralized that enemy.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

Smite fight!

[@princephantom1294]

@@cavernsandcreatures get me and Sam together on another vid and I’ll make it a reality lol

[@Riqu213]

I have a quibble with a format error I see on occasion. I've heard you often say that you don't adjust a ranking because certain builds can utilize it in a more effective way. But time and again, I heard you say this spell or that spell exists so that makes the other spell not as good. It is unfair to psychic scream to say wish exists so psychic scream isn't as good. Bards and warlocks don't get wish on their spell lists but do get psychic scream. And let's say you have a bag of scrolls and something in the environment keeps you from being able to take a long rest. Do you cast Psychic Scream off the scroll, or do you toss it aside and say I wish that had been wish? This was not meant to seem angry. I had repeatedly typed out similar thoughts but kept clicking on things and losing my work. hey that looks like a cool t-shirt

[@cavernsandcreatures]

If you're looking for consistency, you've come to the wrong channel. We give our feelings as we feel them at the moment.

[@michaelmuirhead910]

Staggering Smite makes D? It’s a 4th level spell, concentration, and does less dmg than a divine smite. Easy F tier. Even if you land it before the target goes in combat, it’s still really bad. Wrathful Smite is only a 1st lvl, but it forces Wis checks (not saving throws) at disadvantage. This should be D tier for some playability at lower levels. That said, virtually all of the smite spells are pretty bad. Banishing Smite is ok at best. Summon spells? S tier. Good call. I’m conflicted about Vicious Mockery, I want to like it, but I don’t. You can just role play an insult at Tiamat or something else. B tier, because the rider does something. I do like spells that target Int saves, they work so well. I would put Synaptic Static (-d6 as that rider) Dissonant Whispers, Tasha’s Mind Whip, and Psychic Lance (incapacitated) all in A tier. Twinning Whispers or Mind Whip is fantastic. Even Mind Sliver is has a use for spell set-up, twinned or not. That could be A tier if used right. All the others I think you hit it right on. Btw, did you know that an Enchantment Wizard can twin these single target spells at 10th level, and can eventually make Tasha’s Mind Whip a twinned cantrip with spell mastery at lvl 18? That’s just insanity. I’ve got an Enchantment Wizard in AL, and it’s lots of fun. Building for that tier 4 play…

[@cavernsandcreatures]

I really can't argue anything you've said here. I'm sentimental for Vicious Mockery, but you're right.

[@007ohboy]

Feeblemind wrecks mages or any caster. Using this on a big dumb monster would be subpar. The only problem is we casters know.Feeble mond exists at higher levels and will go about grabbing Mindblank to block that and other mind spells. Even Sorcerers who don't have Mindblank can rest cast it using Wish and still get their 9th level slot back and have 16 hours of mental protection. Like....woe to any caster caught with their pants down when this spell hits them. Not good. No spells. Now your just some smuck with crappy melee attacks. You're a town guard now. 😅😂

[@cavernsandcreatures]

Wizards tend to have high Intelligence scores. But other casters beware.

[@007ohboy]

@@cavernsandcreatures Don't meet a Diviner....yikes. portent....5 + 11 Int save is only 16 vs DC 19. But yes, Wizards have the best shot at resisting it if they don't already have Mindblank up, which is a huge possibility.