Treantmonk's Guide to Wizards: 2nd level spells

[@zeedar412]

Wait, what? Web doesn't let you repeat the save. "On a failed save, the creature is Restrained as long as it remains in the webs or until it breaks free." Breaking free is the strength check, so no point in repeating the save, as it doesn't end the already existing restrained condition.

[@FlutesLoot]

I agreed with this point in another comment.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

I think you're right, and I've been playing it with, "Each creature that starts its turn in the webs or that enters them during its turn must make a Dexterity saving throw." for a long time, but reading again, I think the intent is that if that creature already failed their save, they don't get another one. Don't like the wording at all though, as a restrained creature absolutely starts its turn in the webs, that exclusion should be specifically mentioned.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Pinning this comment to note the error.

[@DMShalliko]

I was going to bring this up, but I couldn't comment when I was listening earlier. I think the biggest thing to note is that when they are saying creatures have to make a save, it does not mention that success negates any conditions- it only mentions that failure results in the restrained condition. So if they have failed their save at least once, this is going to require action economy to break them free in some way, shape, or form.

[@williamweide8372]

What is Treantmonk's opinion on how the last paragraph in web means it is possible to combo web with fireball to deal up to 32d4 fire damage just from the web burning to a single target?

[@matthaught4707]

Phantasmal Force requires a bit of creative thinking on the caster's part, but it can be potent for a single-target nerf spell. For example, if you make the illusion an opaque 10' cube filled with spikes or some other hazard, the target can't see out of it, but everyone else on the battlefield can see them just fine. Boom, your party just got advantage on attacks against them, and they have a much harder time targeting you and your allies. It also prevents them from using lower-level teleport spells like Misty Step and Thunder Step to escape, since those spells specifically state that the caster has to see the destination square. Plus, unlike for example Hold Person, PF can target non-humanoids, and costs the target their action to try to escape it.

[@shallendor]

In the old days, Knock used to be a great spell to use in combat against horseman with saddles since it would unbuckle the saddles and cause up to 2 riders to fall off their mount.

[@matthaught4707]

In past editions, I've used it to unbuckle half the straps on a fighter's plate armor, leaving them all tangled up and far less protected.

[@HaloFTW2408]

Here are the ratings in text form (for quick reference & copying) Red (*) - Not Recommended Orange (**) - Too Circumstantial to warrant preparation Purple (***) - Ok Spells Green (****) - Good Spells Blue (*****) - Must Have Spells Ab - Abjuration Conj - Conjuration Enc - Enchantment Evo - Evocation Ill - Illusion Necr - Necromancy Tran - Transmutation Conc - Concentration Aganazzar's Scorcher (Evo) (*) (0:33:09) Alter Self (Tran, Conc) (**) (0:55:52) Arcane Lock (Ab) (*) (0:01:45) Blindness/Deafness (Necr) (***) Scales relatively well (0:45:47) Blur (Ill, Conc) (***) (0:37:54) Cloud of Daggers (Conj, Conc) (**) (0:09:43) Continual Flame (Evo) (**) (0:30:20) Crown of Madness (Enc, Conc) (**) (0:19:52) Darkness (Evo, Conc) (***) (0:21:16) Darkvision (Tran) (***) (0:53:34) Detect Thoughts (Div, Conc) (**) (0:13:49) Dragon's Breath (Tran, Conc) (***) (0:49:59) Dust Devil (Conj, Conc) (*) would be lower if possible (0:10:36) Earth Bind (Tran, Conc) (**) "useful" only at lower levels (1:00:20) Enlarge/Reduce (Tran, Conc) (**) (0:56:39) Flaming Sphere (Conj, Conc) (****) (0:07:54) Gentle Repose (Necr, Ritual) (**) (0:46:57) Gust of Wind (Evo, Conc) (**) (0:26:54) Hold Person (Enc, Conc) (**) (0:18:37) Invisibility (Ill, Conc) (****) (0:36:48) Knock (Tran) (**) (0:58:10) Levitate (Tran, Conc) (****) less useful at higher levels (0:48:30) Locate Object (Div, Conc) (**) (0:12:40) Magic Mouth (Ill, Ritual) (**) (0:44:55) Magic Weapon (Tran, Conc) (**) (0:54:39) Maximilian's Earthen Grasp (Tran, Conc) (**) (1:01:43) Melf's Acid Arrow (Evo) (*) (0:32:17) Mind Spike (Div, Conc) (*) (0:15:12) Mirror Image (Ill) (*****) (0:34:57) Misty Step (Conj) (****) (0:06:22) Nystul's Magic Aura (**) (0:43:55) Phantasmal Force (Ill, Conc) (***) DM dependent, possibly better for Illusionists (0:41:31) Pyrotechnics (Tran) (***) (0:52:12) Ray of Enfeeblement (Necr, Conc) (*) (0:47:50) Rope Trick (Tran) (***) (0:50:59) Scorching Ray (Evo) (**) (0:28:48) See Invisibility (Div) (***) (0:11:44) Shadow Blade (Ill, Conc) (***) (0:39:03) Shatter (Evo) (***) (0:23:35) Skywrite (Tran, Conc, Ritual) (*) (1:03:34) Snilloc's Snowball Swarm (Evo) (*) (0:33:52) Spider Climb (Tran, Conc) (**) (0:59:16) Suggestion (Enc, Conc) (****) (0:16:47) Warding Wind (Evo, Conc) (**) (0:25:02) Web (Conj, Conc) (*****) (0:02:41)

[@seb8523]

Another funny thing to do with Misty Step : be a Conjurer. Misty step next to a hard to reach enemy, then use Benign Transposition to switch places with your party's Big Stupid Fighter. Suddenly that enemy mage is not safe anymore. It's a bit limited because of the short range of Benign Transposition, but since Misty Step itself is a conjuration spell, it means Benign Transposition will ALWAYS be available after using it.

[@LordDany]

Then you jump tru the batlefield changing places whit the warrior the paladin and the barbarian you are always in the safer position and you serve as a movement soport

[@ThienVuT]

In defense of Zone of Truth, the creature has to make that Charisma saving throw every round. With a 10 minute duration, they're eventually going to fail and you'll be able to question them once they do. The 15-foot radius also lets you question multiple creatures and get the truth from all of them.

[@Randomdudefromtheinternet]

Abjuration (1:46) Arcane Lock Conjuration (2:41) Web (6:21) Misty Step (7:47) Flaming Sphere (9:43) Cloud of Daggers (10:37) Dust Devil Divination (11:45) See Invisibility (12:38) Locate Object (13:47) Detect Thoughts (15:09) Mind Spike Enchantment (16:46) Suggestion (18:37) Hold Person (19:50) Crown of Madness Evocation (21:17) Darkness (23:32) Shatter (25:00) Warding Wind (26:54) Gust of Wind (28:48) Scorching Ray (30:18) Continual Flame (32:17) Melf's Acid Arrow (33:12) Aganazzar's Scorcher (33:49) Snilloc's Snowball Swarm Illusion (34:54) Mirror Image (36:46) Invisibility (37:54) Blur (39:02) Shadow Blade (41:29) Phantasmal Force (43:54) Nystul's Magic Aura (44:55) Magic Mouth Necromancy (45:46) Blindness/Deafness (46:56) Gentle Repose (47:48) Ray of Enfeeblement Transmutation (48:29) Levitate (49:58) Dragon's Breath (50:58) Rope Trick (52:11) Pyrotechnics (53:33) Darkvision (54:29) Magic Weapon (55:51) Alter Self (56:39) Enlarge/Reduce (58:09) Knock (59:15) Spider Climb (1:00:19) Earth Bind (1:01:42) Maximilian's Earthen Grasp (1:03:29) Skywrite

[@ShovelLettuce]

Thnx man

[@nicholasmathern527]

Color Info (same order): Adjuration: Red Conjuration: Blue Green Green Red Red Divination: Purple Orange Orange Red Enchantment: Green Orange Orange Evocation: Purple Purple Orange Orange Orange Orange Red Red Red Illusion: Blue Green Purple Purple Purple Orange Orange Necromancy: Purple Orange Red Transmutation: Green Purple Purple Purple Purple Orange Orange Red Orange Orange Orange Orange Red

[@dhaas4698]

I hadn't thought of the action economy with flaming sphere / booming blade. Great insight there

[@godsamongmen8003]

I've done it with create bonfire. Its pretty hard to get the situation lined up, but sometimes it works out.

[@jonc.6046]

You think it's a toss-up between hold person and crown of madness? Sorry, man, but that's a terrible read. Hold person stops the target, until it makes a saving throw, from moving or acting in any way, causes it to fail strength and dex saving throws, gives all attacks against it advantage, and makes melee attacks crit. This does what you recommend suggestion for . . . and a whole lot more. And it can target more creatures out of higher-level slots. Crown of madness stops the target, until it makes a saving throw OR until you stop using your action every round, from attacking and targeting the caster only, and makes it attempt a single attack against a target of your choice that is within its reach at the start of its turn, using--or not using--a weapon of the DM's choice. It still uses its movement, bonus action, reaction, and ANY REMAINING ATTACKS as it chooses. And if there is no target within its reach at the start of its turn, it does whatever it wants anyway, apart from targeting the caster. Getting crown of madness to do anything beyond the charmed condition requires both specific positioning and a fortuitous initiative order. And it still doesn't have an effect anywhere near on the order of hold person's. And elves and half-elves get advantage on the save. And you still have to commit your action to it every turn. And it does nothing different when cast out of a higher-level slot. Hold person is a high risk/high reward play. Crown of madness is a flaming McDonald's dumpster with extra onion. There is no equivalence here. And then the scorching ray/magic missile comparison. Why would one prefer scorching ray? How about because it scales twice as well, benefits from advantage, and can crit. Yes, there are a lot of enemies immune to fire; the DM can also give any mage you face the shield spell to make it functionally immune to magic missile. So why would you continue to prepare a 1st-level damage spell that scales poorly when a better spell becomes available at 2nd level and remains the best single-target damage spell until disintegrate? (Blight is the only real competition, but it has a Con save and a range of 30 feet.)

[@Nr4747]

Yeah, I think a fairer rating would be "ok" for Hold Person (high risk, high reward - like you said) and deep, deep red (terrible, disgustingly awful) for Crown of Madness.

[@ricobobo9652]

But some rays of the Scorching Ray spell can be failed quite easily. Your failure purcentage is between 30% and 50% for each, while the Magic Missile has a 100% rate of success ! To kill an injured ennemy who is trying to flee, the MM is really the best spell.

[@scrotymcboogerballs6756]

"Hold person is a high risk/high reward play. Crown of madness is a flaming McDonald's dumpster with extra onion" That's hilariously true, made me laugh out loud!

[@DefaultProphet]

Dragonsbreath shines when you’re facing a lot of enemies. 15 foot cone can hit a lot of creatures. I was fighting some kobolds and their mounts and did something like 200 points of damage on one turn. It’s also really nice in that you get to pick the element

[@mrbean3470]

Our party got swarmed by a bunch of flying... Somethings that were biting and poisoning us. First round with my sorcerer, dragon's breath wiped out the vast majority of them to even out the action economy so we could win. Love that spell.

[@connordempsey5129]

From how we play we worked out you can hit upto 7 enemies if they are perfectly placed. I combed this with fireball for when we had 100s of zombies approaching us to clear a way through to get to a holy temple which is protected from evil.

[@98gabrius]

making my third level wizard . This video shows up on my feed. Could not have been better timed

[@joshuapicaro8726]

** Abjuration 1. Arcane Lock: red ** Conjuration 1. Web: blue 2. Misty Step: green 3. Flaming Sphere: green 4. Cloud of Daggers: orange 5. Dust Devil: red ** Divination 1. See Invisibility: purple 2. Locate Object: orange 3. Detect Thoughts: orange 4. Mind Spike: red ** Enchantment 1. Suggestion: green 2. Hold Person: orange 3. Crown of Madness: orange ** Evocation 1. Darkness: purple 2. Shatter: purple 3. Warding Wind: orange 4. Gust of Wind: orange 5. Scorching Ray: orange 6. Continual Flame: orange 7. Melf's Acird Arrow: red 8. Aganazzar's Scorcher: red 9. Snilloc's Snowball Swarm ** Illusion 1. Mirror Image: blue 2. Invisibility: green 3. Blur: purple 4. Shadow Blade: purple 5. Phantasmal Force: purple 6. Nystul's Magic Aura: orange 7. Magic Mouth: orange ** Necromancy 1. Blindness/Deafness: purple 2. Gentle Repose: orange 3. Ray of Enfeeblement: red ** Transmutation 1. Levitate: green 2. Dragon's Breath: purple 3. Rope Trick: purple 4. Pyrotechnics: purple 5. Darkvision: purple 6. Magic Weapon: orange 7. Alter Self: orange 8. Enlarge/Reduce: orange 9. Knock: orange 10. Spider Climb: orange 11. Earthbind: orange 12. Maximilian's Earthen Grasp: orange 13. Skywrite: red

[@bryankia]

I cannot express how much I appreciate these videos. I am saving them as my character levels up so I can get in the right minds set. He is a blade singer so I have to keep that in mind. This video’s eye opening spell is levitate. Thank you good sir. Have the best day.

[@jamheald]

Misty Step also combines well with Benign Transposition. Swap with an ally in danger then Misty Step out of the danger and recharge your Benign Transposition.

[@FlutesLoot]

This combo is slick! My ally once fell off a boat, so I used Benign Transposition to swap her back to the boat, then I used Misty Step to get myself back as well. Efficient and felt cool.

[@tylernorman7896]

AND, it's a 2nd level spell for Spell Mastery to cast it at will. Now, the only cost is your action and bonus action each time you use it

[@ricobobo9652]

Locate Object can allow you to find your friends, because you know some objects they possess. Or someone/something that was seen by you or your familiar juste once by less than 9 meters (not a big deal !). It works with types of objects (military cloths for a soldier, or books to find a library, a saddle to find the closest horse, etc). For me, it's the best diviner spell at this level.

[@smbakeresq]

As far as Knock, I changed it to a ritual spell. It’s much better that way and should be a ritual as it is a utility. Against arcane locks I have them make a caster level check like dispel magic if I want to make a lock tough. Also, it applies to lock, but not ropes or knots. As a fan of Gor novels where people had signature knots, it’s common in my modified world. The idea is you can get in, however the person who ties the knot knows they have been infiltrated.

[@nastube4052]

These videos would benefit highly by a table at the end, with all of the spells in columns based on what you colored them.

[@dylandugan76]

Coming back to this video now that it's the future and I've come to value Arcane Lock more highly. I've found enough use for it that I no longer consider it underpowered, nor even niche. Having the ability to make a door impassable to your enemies using just an action can be invaluable during chases, escapes, retreats, or even just for divide and conquer combat. It is circumstantial, but only limited to circumstances when you are in a place with doors, which happens frequently enough that I would at least consider it for a typical wizard. Arguably orange or purple rating.

[@damedley75]

11:00 Isn't the Heavily Obscured effect worth mentioning? Can't you a) move Dust Devil with a bonus action b) make a ranged attack c) move yourself behind the Dust Devil, thereby making yourself impervious to ranged attacks for a whole minute?

[@sarezar]

A slight objection I have: if a spell doesn't scale well, it shouldn't keep its blue rating. Web is awesome at level 3, but we simply can't prepare enough spells to have it there at high levels. About Misty Step: because it can "release" you from the restrained condition from many many many effects, attacks, spells, it is a MUST for me. From vines, mud, and web, to claws, jaws, and pincers, you can escape from even certain death. Definitely Blue rating for me. Maximillian's Earthen Grasp: I would rate it as Purple simply because it has a Str saving throw and no creature type or size limit. A small percentage of monsters that you would be using a low level spell on have high Str save bonus and being able to use it on ANY creature is just simply too good of a thing. Marking it as Orange (situational) feels very unfair. 100% agree on all the rest of the spells :)

[@pencilbender]

I love you and your guides. I still look through them from time to time in my 3.5 games. legend.

[@royjaskowski905]

City use of locate object. I find object recovery when the party is stolen from makes this spell valuable. Yes, cities are big, but you usually detect the theft fast enough to have the thief still in range and start tracking them. Party must establish themselves as someone you do not steal from or they will forever be marked at suckers. Good or evil doesn’t matter, your reputation as a party is paramount.

[@oskarmathiasen398]

I think Nystuls magic aura has some interesting uses combined with malleable illusions, as it becomes permanent, your wizazard gains the ability to seem divine, non magical, good and evil, which might have some interesting effects. They can also change their apparent type of creature which can be usefull. I agree with the circumstantial rating. Just thinks it is a cool idea.

[@icenic_wolf]

Rope trick is amazing to use during combat, especially if you're on the squishier end of the spectrum (e.g. you're in a campaign where you have to roll hit points every level, and you're unlucky like me).

[@JoshSmith-lc2sn]

Your the man , been enjoying your content for well over a decade. Since the handbook days

[@dgmisal1979]

Love this series. Been reading you for a while since old 3.5 stuff, and appreciate your emphasis on making cool and effective characters while still respecting the rest of the party. As a DM, that is a feature of my favorite players.

[@pablovega5060]

I really like your videos! Would it be possible to record them with higher volume? Thanks

[@roamingthereal4060]

I dont care what the volume level is, can it just be in better sync with the intro. The intro is SOOOO much louder.

[@mikebieser4175]

Ouch, my favorite second level spell gets a red rating. Enlarge/reduce is inarguably niche, but it is a fantastic buff on the monk and the fighter. The monk doubles the damage dice he rolls, and it turns the fighter into a grappling machine. For bonus points, have a grease spell active for the fighter to drag someone into. Then you have the wonderful prone/grappled condition without the fighter needing to make a shove. Situational, but a standard situation if you want to be grappling a bunch. Excellent video as usual!

[@smbakeresq]

Mike Bieser it doesn’t double the size of the dice, it just adds 1d4 additional damage.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

I posted a correction in the vid description, it was intended to be Orange, but I missed changing the color when doing the video edit.

[@siddharthbianchi9322]

It does double it because mi k unarmed strike is a d4

[@FrostLeaf13]

Awesome stuff! Also, completely agree with you regarding Snilloc's Snowball Swarm, especially since it is outclassed even by Ice Knife, a lower level spell.

[@MFewwy]

I thought about buffing damage of the snowballs up to 3d8. I don't see what it could possibly break in a balance of the game

[@smbakeresq]

@@MFewwy it wont at all. It might be a trap for players otherwise

[@MFewwy]

@@smbakeresq Yep, I will just buff it :)

[@davidsonstreet]

Arcane lock is the first level version of rope trick... +10 to open lock or break allows you to wall yourself in a room and take a short rest if the ennemies are not strong

Layering defences is great, we fought a Balor at level 9 and the Paladin had Haste, Protection from Evil and Mirror Image up and was just not getting hit.

[@daithi1966]

I just want to point out that even though Locate Object has a short area of effect there isn't anything that prevents you from moving. If you combine it with a spell like Wind Walk then you can search a square mile or more with this spell. It also works just as good as Locate Creature if you search for say, the magic sword used by a creature you'd like find that presumably they have on them.

[@fortello7219]

I *suppose* you could use gentle repose as an extension on revivify. But you really aught to have mentioned it's main use, for characters under level 9, or for groups without a cleric/bard/druid, in extending the period of reviving until you can get their body to an NPC with the spell. It's hugely important for level 3 characters in any death present game.

[@M0ebius]

One cool use of Gentle Repose is to preserve game meat in a survival situation.

[@icenic_wolf]

I'm of the opinion that Magic Weapon is just a carryover from when Permanence used to be a spell that you could cast.

[@paulsusac4839]

Here's a trick for Pyrotechnics - have an unseen servant carry your torch - Use your bonus action to command the unseen servant to throw the torch and then cast Pyrotechnics.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Good idea!

[@marcdavis4509]

Can you move closer to your microphone in future? Great episode as always!

[@Jza_Dragon]

Treantmonk's D&D ASMR

[@TheNaraShikaku]

Or turn down the intro music. Jeesh

[@DonFranke]

31:10 is when you talk about continual flame. Sadly if you pull out your lantern all you would see is darkness since the Darkness spell has a little bit of extra text that reads: If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled

[@GunnarWahl]

So for darkness, If your familiar is a Bat, it has blind sense for 60 feat, and it's based of sound, so you can perceive through it's eyes and ears, this allows you blindsight for 60feat, park it on your shoulder and darkness on yourself, you can see out of the darkness nearly as well as that warlock.

[@JaxonBurn]

This is a neat trick that I have thought about using in a limited way for a character who is blind. However, seeing through your familiar's senses requires your action and only lasts until the start of your next turn. That means we cannot benefit from our familiar's senses and use our action for anything else, like making an attack or casting a spell, in the same turn.

[@rob-ron4231]

I’m here every week because I’m leveling my character and I want to help my get the best and fun spells for my character

[@TortillaBill]

I just love how well spoken and poised he is

[@SirLancelotized]

Came here to say Jedi Suggestion Trick has been the most useful spell I have with portent. Got a monkeys paw. Planning to make an NPC use it on me to grant the part necrotic resistance.

[@social3ngin33rin]

You are a valuable member of the community :) Thank you for making this informational video

[@Snarkknight5]

A very adventure-specific use for the Gust of Wind spell came about during a nautical-themed adventure where I was a "ship's wizard." The DM ruled that the spell could drastically increase the ship's sailing speed for its duration, so I would use it in conjunction with the crew to do special ship manuevers, like building up ramming speed, or rapidly disengaging and fleeing. Since I almost always had a few prepared, I was able to effectively stop a boarding party from using a gangplank with the spell, forcing them to make atheletics or acrobatics checks to try and swing from the ropes. Again, *very* specific to the nautical theme, but that spell got a lot of great use there.

[@bobon123]

I think that part of the issue with a uniform color code is that some spells are great at 3rd level but not at 8th and viceversa, because of the value of slots. Dragon's Breath is green and Earthen's grasp is definitely purple at 3rd or 4th level, when you have a couple of second level spells and if your DM is doing the proper 6-8 fights per long rest you can do maybe one spell per combat, even considering arcane recovery, and concentration is surely not an issue. Web for many opponent, EG for one enemy: the fact that if he frees himself you can grab him again without spending a slot is huge because the opportunity cost is zero, as you are not casting other spells in any case. Similarly Mirror Image is definitely not a spell I would take at 3rd or 4th level, unless your DM is doing one fight per short/long rest: if you have two second level spells for 6 fights, if you spend them to protect yourself you are uselessly shooting cantrips. You absolutely need to keep your slots for Web and other control. At the opposite, when second level slots are not a rare commodity, it is a _great_ spell, definitely blue.

[@jackcolosso9699]

THANK FOR ALL CHRIS,FOR EVERY ADVIGE..FOR SPELL AND EVERY CLASS

[@redram9]

I completely agree regarding Arcane lock, however it does find use for the tiefling sub-race that gets to cast it without the material component. It can be used to ensure a rest once or twice a day in a dungeon without creatures who can dispel magic

[@TreantmonksTemple]

locking doors in a dungeon is only useful if you are running away from something, which of course you are more likely to need to do if you used your first level slots locking doors.

[@wwade7226]

Just a quick note. Locate Object does let you search for something general, like a desk, or a book, or a chest, or any general item, including "closest magic item." Be sure to re-read the spell description for clarification.

[@smbakeresq]

IMO best use for Dragons Breathe is on a familiar or something to prevent regeneration on creatures. The damage in that case is ok but with a valuable effect that increases damage by the amount the creature would regenerate

[@M0ebius]

And preferrably a flying familiar that can fire straight down from 20ft up, effectively making the 15ft cone a 3x3 square.

[@GunnarWahl]

Do note that mind spike takes no verbal components, so it’s basically a subtle spell, they don’t get to know who hit them

[@ChristnThms]

Used the Continual Flame spell to make flaming emblems on everyone's shields. True, it's not real stealthy. But when everyone has their own light radius, and the campaign is mostly indoors with confining spaces, the whole party works better.

[@SaneNoMore]

Cast it on a coin for an easily hidden emergency light as well.

[@cmckee42]

Pyrotechnics still works with flaming sphere if there are flammable objects on the ground, because the sphere can ignite them.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

As long as there are flammable objects it can ignite, yes.

[@kendrajade6688]

Web doesn't allow another save on subsequent rounds.

[@M0ebius]

This. It’s one DEX save followed by Action+STR checks each turn.

[@PrimordialAnnihilator]

Really enjoy these videos keep up the good work

[@55lakeman]

I think hold person is a great spell for Warlocks due to the way it scales going from a single target save or suck up to four targets. Which is pretty massive, and it helps that my dm is a humanoid junky.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

If humanoids are your primary opponents, the spell is a lot better.

[@smbakeresq]

While the limitation is severe, its also avoidable if you use your divination spells and info gathering techniques correctly. Players don't do this enough.

[@44tuck3r]

Arcane Lock is more of a DM spell, allowing you to lock something and have it relock after a period of time if suppressed by knock

[@cmckee42]

Could be fun to make a list of spells that are better for NPCs than PCs.

[@FlutesLoot]

Arcane Lock says you can lock a chest, so I recommend adventurer's use it to lock their characters' chests to protect their figurative hearts from seductive persuasion checks. Adventurer's are relatively rich, even at low levels, so they must avoid gold diggers with silver tongues. Arcane Lock is the answer, clearly. Players can also designate that only a character's significant other can open the chest to figuratively touch the heart. Adventurer's must be true to a spouse/bae at any cost!

[@Alyxcz]

My favourite use of Gentle Repose I heard was when a player became a lich he used it on himself to prevent his flesh from decaying and stinking.

[@probablythedm1669]

But how did he see? You have to keep two copper coins on your eyes for the duration. Glued them on his eyelids? Sounds uncomfortable... then again, so does rotting alive. :P

[@huggiesdsc]

@@probablythedm1669 how about copper spectacles? Have the frames be made from two repurposed coins.

[@Music_Engineering]

As skywrite is a ritual, a transmutation spell and the lowest level available to wizards, it can be used to change the state of your transmuter's stone out of combat faster than the 8 hours it normally takes.

[@kenscott1082]

I’ve watched this video about 7 times trying to figure out what spells to pick out for my necromancer arcane trickster rouge. I’m a pretty big fan.

[@Aequilix]

Question for you TM: We all know certain spells (Like Mirror Image) are a godsend and REALLY GOOD, but a lot of guides don't talk about when its great to grab the spell or always have it prepared. So using Mirror Image as an example, do you think its worth knowing/preparing in those very low levels like... Level 3-5. Or its more of a midpoint thing and spells like Shield/Mage Armor can suffice.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

I would normally take it at level 3 and prepare it right away, though I'm not always using my 2nd level slots on it at that level.

[@Aequilix]

@@TreantmonksTemple Right. It's so easy with Wizards when we know so many spells! But I have a friend playing a Sorcerer in a game I'm running and they are so torn over their spell list and being able to squeeze this in or not while also having shield, mage armor, and a concentration spell of choice.

[@stevesmith4600]

I love these reviews. For future analysis of "situational" spells, could you comment if the spell is also on the Cleric/Druid spell list? For me, usually your party has one of these in the group. And because they can swap out spells (after a long rest), if the party will encounter a situation, and the Cleric/Druid can prepare for it, as a Wizard, taking these types of spells seems a lot less beneficial. However, if the situational spells is only a Wizard (or only a Wizard, Bard, Sorcerer ... Non-cleric/druid) spell, then it becomes more beneficial to consider picking up such a spell to have in your party's back pocket. Anyways, just a suggestion. Love the content.

[@cmckee42]

I'm assuming he will eventually do a version of this series for Clerics and Druids, assuming the channel keeps growing.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

It is entirely possible, unless 6th edition comes around first, in which case I will need to do wizards again!

[@tehfelf]

I know this is an old video and maybe this info doesn't change much but I think Ill add it anyway lol: Snillocs Snowball Storm does actually have small advantages compared to shatter that you didn't address - The small/insignificant ones are that it isn't noisy and doesn't do the object damage that shatter does. I think where their main justification of the smaller AOE is that it's range is 90 feet which is 1/3 farther than Shatter. That is quite a long range for many spells that level. It may play a role in wide open areas at that level

[@TheLeadSuit]

I was thinking about the enlarge/reduce spell after watching this video. I think it's reasonable for you to enlarge something small like maybe a gemstone and use it as a material component for some of the spells that require a gem worth various amounts. Does it stand to reason that enlarge would effectively raise it's value? So you could use it for those spells

[@anthonynorman7545]

That's brilliant and I'd allow it! Though, I know the other DM in my group wouldn't.

[@TheLeadSuit]

@@anthonynorman7545 thanks man. I try to think about some of the implications of the spells. I'm all for rewarding players for cool and interesting ways of using resources.

[@huggiesdsc]

In my opinion, the expenditure of a 2nd level spell slot balances your idea out pretty well. Conceivably you could scam someone with your enlarged gemstone, then use the money to buy an equivalent gem. We don't have to play that scenario out for you to get the benefit of it.

[@Xani13]

Mirror Image's drawback is that the mirror images also have their own (rather low) AC and if that AC is breached, the mirror image dissolves. Ergo, after three successful hits on you, your mirror images are all down and the enemy is free to do as they please to attack you. Also, if you miss the die roll, the mirror images are useless anyway.

[@SaneNoMore]

I like to use continual flame once in every game. I cast it on several coins and give one or more (they can help with cost) to each member of my party. Everyone now has an emergency light source that can be easily hidden in a pocket, sewn into a garment etc. Plus they can throw it/drop it slip it under something so that if it’s moved light spews out.. etc it’s a handy little magic item for 50g.

[@WexMajor82]

At level 18 a diviner takes Detect Thought as a free spell. So he can cast infinite 1st level spells. Also, shatter on the enemy's potion lab, as he's working on it. The blast was much, much bigger than anticipated. Magic Mouth... I made a screaming stone. the trigger is throwing it. The scream is made with thaumaturgy; 3 times louder as normal. Ir's my distraction device.

[@chrislieu6757]

" I think you have to actually expend a spell slot.

[@stranger6822]

You missed the offensive uses of the spell Enlarge/Reduce. If I just reduced a large door, I can have the BSG throw the door, then I can be ready to cancel concentration when it's about to hit the target. Similarly, I can hold an action to increase the size of a javelin or similar just before it connects. Enlarging an object increases its weight by eight times, and it's really fun to see your DM try to figure out exactly what happens when a missile changes size mid-flight. Unless your DM hates fun, of course.

[@GreyGramarye]

Arcane Lock can be pretty handy, but you need a party who will react to it. One thing dungeons are full of is doors. Being able to make a door passable for your group but impassable for enemies… well, that’s like a really nice Wall spell. For instance, say you know there are enemies in the room ahead, Arcane Lock the door, exempt your group, open the door to fire a volley, and then either shut the door and let the enemies waste their turns or wait for a couple of them to charge through and THEN shut the door to cut them off. Problem is the component cost. But once the gold is trivial, it can still be a useful spell. We used it to lure a skirmisher enemy into a small room after our caster, then the caster’s turn came up and he just disengaged and shut the door. Eliminated that enemy from the combat.

[@cmckee42]

For web they only make the dex saving throw once, and it lasts until they break free. If they fail to break free, they don't get a Dex save on their next turn.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Every creature that starts its turn in the Web gets a Dex saving throw. I don't see anything in the spell that says this isn't the case if they've made a saving throw previously.

[@cmckee42]

@@TreantmonksTemple yes, but if they fail the save, it says they are restrained until the spell ends or they break free. They technically do roll dex saves while restrained, but success doesn't change anything. Only success on the strength save breaks the creature free.

[@FlutesLoot]

I agree with Christopher, though the spell doesn't seem to obviously make this point. The intent (IMO) seems to be that Dex saves cease once restrained by the webs. Once restrained by the Web spell, a victim must make a Str check to escape, which is consistent with the wording 'breaks free' in the spell description. Web spell's description: "On a failed [Dex] save, the creature is restrained as long as it remains in the webs or until it breaks free. A creature restrained by the webs can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. If it succeeds, it is no longer restrained." Fail your Dex save = you're restrained until you break free or otherwise get out of the webs. The key is the part that says a victim remains restrained until breaking free. If there are subsequent Dex saves, it doesn't make sense that they would be breaking free with their dexterity save. Thus it seems to me that the spell's intent is to cease Dex saves once restrained. I think this view is supported since no indication is mentioned for a subsequent successful Dex save to free a victim from the webs. Only the Str check describes gaining freedom from the restraining webs.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Reading carefully again, I think you are right. Wow, I've been using this spell with a Dex save at the beginning of each round for a long time...

[@eipoeipo]

Love your videos, but this one was so quiet even at maximum volume I still had to grab my headphones to hear you. Keep making great content, just do it a bit louder :)

[@redram9]

Could not agree more

[@EpifanesEuergetes]

"If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled." [Darkness] PHB p. 230 The way I read this Continual Flame does not revoke Darkness. Quite the opposite.

[@RydenDaniel]

You can upcast it so that it instead dispells Darkness

[@godsamongmen8003]

The darkness spell says that "nonmagical light can't illuminate it." It doesn't explicitly say so, but I suppose that means that magical light could illuminate the darkness, as long as it hasn't been dispelled. So that's where the upcast continual flame comes in.

[@jiiaga5017]

Detect thoughts can be used for infiltration and trading/bargaining, and if you have access to subtle spell you can win a lot of money at cards :P

[@godsamongmen8003]

Enlarge/Reduce can be more useful than you might think. First consider the spell description: If you try to enlarge something, you can't actively cause damage. The enlarging will not go past the available space. But what if you reduce something and just let the spell go? If your DM rules that the creature or object expands to full size no matter what, then you can cause some destruction by shoving a small object into a hole in a structure. Or shooting someone with a reduced projectile and letting it expand. If your DM decides that the return to original size will not happen if it would cause damage, then you can turn reduce into an infinite duration spell with no concentration. Reduce a person or object, tie a rope or belt around it, and let go of the spell. Reducing a party member in size probably won't be useful all that often, but reducing an object can render a massive object very manageable. Cast it on several individual containers and you can load a merchant ship with 8 times its normal carrying capacity -- imagine what a captain would pay for that (just don't pull the tarp off that crate while you're at sea). And suppose that you enlarge a horse, then put an already-made large bit in its mouth. The horse would have no room to shrink, since the bit would cause damage and therefore the horse stays at huge size, effectively increasing its carrying capacity. Locate object can be really good on a phantom steed or other mount that moves fast (especially if you can get a flying mount somehow). Want to go prospecting? Search for the nearest rough, uncut gem while riding across open ground. I suppose you could search for the nearest chunk of a type of ore as well. If you're in a dungeon you can search for items you might expect to find like gold and gems. Soon as you find one, toss it to a party member who relays it away. As soon as it's no longer the closest item of its type to you, your spell will pick up whichever one is closest. You could carefully, methodically, pick a dungeon clean after removing hostiles. In social situations, you could sell an item or allow it to be stolen and use locate object to tail someone from 1000 feet away. That's far enough you could be on the other side of a city block. Gust of wind can be a good combat spell that does damage. How? Take a nice, big burlap sack full of caltrops or darts with the feathers on the wrong end and dump out the bag into the wind zone. Now the wind spell is a damage spell that takes ammunition and can be used by each member of the party. I did that with backwards darts one time and got a good laugh from the group. And gust of wind is not just for delaying enemies, but for granting mobility to your party members who can forego the save and get a burst of free movement. And what if you had clothing that was designed to catch wind, like a small parachute? It isn't in the spell description, but I imagine most DMs would allow someone to really get launched far that way -- just like ziplining only way more dangerous. Now imagine you put wind sails on a net and throw that net at someone standing in the wind. And of course, if you have a water source available, you can use shape water to feed water into your wind spell and power wash the stables. This spell should probably also have a straight damage rating if you use it in a desert or on a beach. Have you seen what a high pressure sandblaster can do? Rope trick could be used to protect innocents in a dangerous situation. Your familiar runs out with a five-foot section of rope to some people in need of help, and you cast the spell using the familiar to deliver the touch to the rope. The people climb up and your party has an hour to take care of business without exposing those people to danger. Or, with speed and stealth, the party could hit and run back to the extradimensional space. Long as you don't get caught, you've effectively ceased to exist. Could be good for spying with the right preparation.

[@EvelynnEleonore]

Cloud of daggers can be really fun if you have a grappler in your party!

[@stuartlaws9977]

I was thinking of using it with Thunderwave knock back, but then our monk went way of the open hand and started fly kicking dudes across the room. So now I use Web as the catchers mitt.

[@eliassalvadormuriel2474]

Well, in regard to pyrotechnics, flaming sphere ignites flammable objects not being worn or carried, so just by using the sphere you probably can get a nonmagical flame to supress in order to cast pyrotechnics, and then you'll have you flaming sphere allready up to make enemies save the sphere with disadvantage

[@smbakeresq]

For Suggestion in combat it’s hard for a DM to turn down simple things like “Walk north for an hour” or “you need to guard another room”

[@M0ebius]

The primary hurdle is the “reasonable” part which is very subjective.

[@daithi1966]

For me, _Rope Trick_ is underrated. Scribe Wizard or a multiclass with Echo Knight or Wild Fire Druid and you can keep fighting while being hidden. Note, use Minor Illusion to hide the opening as well.

[@Coid]

To be able to share Shadowblade with another character, you'd have to have a ring of spell storing to move around, since it is a spell with a range of Self. Although technically I suppose the blade only dissipates if dropped or thrown instead of handed to someone.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

There certainly is question what the intent of the designers was, though my opinion is if the shadow blade would dissipate at the end of the turn if you aren't holding it was the intention, that would have been the spell text.

[@godsamongmen8003]

This spell could be good for an arcane trickster who finally gets into second-level spells, or a fighter multiclassing with wizard or warlock.

[@greghamilton9505]

Gentle Repose. Mandatory for party survival imo. At least on a scroll Also awesome for monster part harvesting. Cast prior to butchering

[@firemage8874]

One thing to say in defense of Dust Devil is that the spell takes on the appearance of an actual dust devil, so its actually good if fighting enemies like humans because it might give them pause when seeing this huge monstrous tornado creature, until they figure out its a fake. It works similarly to an illusion of a monster

[@recursiveslacker7730]

Arcane lock is good for splitting up enemy encounters in a building, though. Run back, have the enemies follow, then slam the door shut halfway through! The deadly encounter is now two easy ones.

[@ProfBrunoClemente]

Great video ! I think Maximillian's Earthen Grasp is a perfect low level anti-caster spell and It keeps it's value later on the game. While Maximillian's Earthen Grasp allows a save every round, it is a Strength check, which casters usually have an abysmal value. I've already locked down evil wizards with that spell. They rarely can beat your Spell DC with a Strength penalty. Never "crush" the target, the damage is really bad, just leave it on the mage, making him restrained, unable to move and being attacked with advantage by your melee characters. I bet he won't last three rounds. Being able to move and attack with an action is costly, but it is just if the mage is killed while restrained and you want to use it again. Don't consider it "moving with an action", consider it "re-cast without spending a spell slot".

[@spongerobertosquarepantalo8157]

Suggestion has an 8 hour duration as long as you don't attack the target. Sure it takes up your concentration, but for a diviner with portent it can be very useful to force the biggest threat to wait out the entire combat while you all focus on his or her allies. Heck you even have time to let your allies take a short rest inbetween

[@Sedr1s]

Love your content, the level of analysis and attention to detail you put into this stuff is befitting of a true wizard. I always come away from your videos with ideas for builds and excitement for sutiations I could try your tactics in. That said, I have one request. I enjoy video content, but its hard for me to learn that way (I always had trouble with lectures in university for the same reason). It always helped me a lot to have the text book or a lesson map to follow along with while listening to the lecturer. I've gone to your website before but I can never seem to find the content from your videos in written form. Either you dont publish it or if you do then its stored/linked somewhere that I am unable to find. Would you please consider publishing your outlines or written versions of your guides? It would help me (and others like me) greatly when following along with your videos.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

I'm afraid that the most I ever have for my videos is some VERY rough notes, mostly I just get an idea of what I want to say in my head and then ramble on without ever writing it down. Some of my videos have no notes at all.

[@jiiaga5017]

In my party, several of us are usually carrying a torch or lantern. And as a crossbow user, my character's first action has often been to throw the torch I'm carrying towards the enemy to free my hands and make sure I have light around the things I want to shoot. A pyrotechnics wizard would probably love me :P

[@luiswi]

Can you make a video about spells to defend or otherwise affect a place? Currently setting up a homebase and were thinking about cool and practical features.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Maybe at some point, but my vids for the next while are already planned out.

[@predwin1998]

One I'd like to point out is Plant Growth. Aside from the double harvest if the place includes a farm or ochard. Its 1 action ability causes super difficult terrain without concentration or a duration limit. Of course it doesn't work everywhere since city-folk probably won't appreciatie the giant plants, but if you have a large lawn or anything Plant Growth can provide a permanent demi-wall shaped to your choice in 100ft radius increments for just a 3rd level slot and an action. I also feel like the plants wouldn't be too flammable in most conditions, as they're probably quite strong and healthy, due to the spell if not naturally, but that is another point to consider.

[@luiswi]

I also like the idea of having magic mouths everywhere and lets say when ever somebody enters a house, the magic mouth greets them

[@Domina7ion]

You have probably heard this a million times, but I really find it hard to follow the colour coding. I would find it easier if there was a letter or star rating. You could use both for continuity, so give Red a 1 red star rating, and blue a 5 blue stars, etc

[@CBuM27]

Any plans on making a guide for the illusionist archetype?

[@cmckee42]

Illusion is pretty DM dependant, which probably makes it hard to give general advice for. Still, we might see it eventually.

[@nastube4052]

The advantage of Scorching Ray over MM is that it DOES have mutliple attack rolls. This allows spells like hex, or spirit shroud to do damage on each ray. Magic Missile is one damage roll and only one bonus damage from hex or spirit shroud. A Sorlock doing scorching ray and quickened eldritch blast with spirit shroud will do insanely more damage with a hex or spirit shroud than if they used magic missile. Even using hex and casting scorching ray by itself will do much more damage than a mm, which can only trigger one hex roll.

[@AlexanderBaird]

Something I came across recently, web can be used to knock flying creatures out of the sky. You can have the 20ft cube appear at any point in range, including up. If there is nothing for it to attach to or be layered onto, the spell doesn’t fail, it just goes away at the start of your next turn, meaning any creatures in the area will have to make their saves or be restrained until the start of your next turn. Presumably, RAW that means any flying creature (or preferably a large group of creatures) without hover would come crashing down to the ground immediately, taking fall damage and landing prone for the fighter to carve up. You don’t get as much use out of it for the duration but it might be just the thing you need to get them out of the air, especially since the Earthbind spell doesn’t make them actually fall.

[@Nos2113]

Holy shit, you're right! That makes the spell even better

[@LurchLand]

I used Scorching Ray last night on a Hexed target, so it was dealing an extra d6 of necrotic damage; which seemed pretty good. I'm only a level 4 sorcerer, so this seemed like pretty good damage.

[@destroyerinazuma96]

Just pictured an EK wrecking sneaky bastards thanks to Detect Invisibility + Action Surge.

[@g00se99]

I agree with your analysis of hold person. I do think that it is ridiculously good with portent though. Giving your entire party the ability to have advantage and crit on a single Target if you end up in a boss fight type of scenario even for just one round can be devastating. Especially if you have Rogues and Pally Smites.

[@kendrajade6688]

Scorching Ray scales a lot better than other spells, especially if you have a source of advantage.

[@Hon_cb1kr]

Yes and even better if you have elven accuracy feat

[@aethon0563]

Yes, and even better if you take hex or hunter's mark via magic initiate.

[@Coid]

Well, hex at any rate, since you can't grab hunter's mark with Magic Initiate and the spell only works with weapon attacks.

[@jrg305]

Mirror image doesn't affect attacks that force saves or creatures that don't depend on sight, so on my warlock, I figure armor of agathys is better up cast since you get two spell slots at max cast.

[@tscoff]

I’m playing a 9th level Conjurer right now and I rank Shatter as Green instead of Purple. I know both Fireball and Shatter and I have both of them prepared. We’re facing challenges where I use several spells and even though Fireball is that much better than Shatter, Shatter is a 2nd level spell so when I cast it I’m saving a 3rd level spell slot for a different spell other than Fireball. Or, when I’m out of 3rd level spell slots I still have 2nd level spell slots to use on Shatter.

[@ninalindqvist7411]

For locate object you don't need to be familiar with the object unless you're seeking a specific one "Alternatively, the spell can locate the nearest object of a particular kind, such as a certain kind of apparel, jewelry, furniture, tool, or weapon." Might be good for searching for valuables.

[@omegacyborg]

One thing I like about Blur is that it can stack with spells like Mirror Image and Blink which makes your Mirror images even harder to kill so I personally find it to be a great spell

[@DarrylCross]

A potential use of Skywrite as well is to anger a BBEG to making a mistake, forcing his hand to come out to meet you on your field of choice, or to sew division among his ranks. The things you write about them don't have to necessarily be true (they can be) - just plausible enough to be humiliating or that they might cause doubt in their minions/allies. Make life very inconvenient for them until they have to deal with you.

[@PowderKeg3838]

Enlarge reduce does scale well. As your melee types get multiple attacks it is a great buff especially if you have a monk in your party. My sorcerer really likes it as a mid or low level fight allows me to twin it cheap and get 1d4 on every attack they make per round. Not very many buffs will work as well for a low level slot and for sorcerers a cheap cost of twinning it. It can be utility as well for shrinking doors or other objects. I think for a wizard it should have been purple and for a sorcerer with twin it is green.

[@rwulf]

I like scorching ray quite a bit on my sorlock, but then he's a tiefling with flames of phlegethos and he can use hex to boost the damage so that buffs the usefulness quite a bit.