D&D 5E Cost/Benefit Analysis of True Strike

[fuindordm]

Faerie Fire is an excellent spell! Not only does it give you advantage, it negates one of the most common sources of disadvantage first. There aren't many spells that can transform a disadvantaged attack into an advantaged attack, instead of disadvantaged to normal.

If you're fighting an invisible opponent, the math changes. Otherwise the math is the same as in the first post because you're comparing two scenarios with the same cost (2 spell slots for FF, then spell or spell, then spell). Casting FF is worth it if you would otherwise have disadvantage and need an 11 or better to hit, when it's just you in the combat. If you have a bunch of friends along, then you're boosting their expected damage as well. I dare say it is nearly always worth it, but there are too many variables to derive a general statement like I did before.

 

[Remathilis]

My elven rogue likes it for Sneak Attacks (usually sniping/before round one stuff) but other than that...

 

[Wrathamon]

how bout make it a bonus action?

 

[Leatherhead]

how bout make it a bonus action?

It would still suck for anything that uses melee/multiple attacks, better to use that bonus action to actually attack and get advantage in a more traditional way.
It would be really good for anything else, nearly a mandatory cantrip slot. Not sure if that makes it overpowered however, that breaking concentration attribute is very severe.

 

[MoonSong]

how bout make it a bonus action?

Sorcerers can.

 

[Riley37]

Simplest use: prepping before the combat starts, eg you're ambushing; so you're NOT expending an in-combat action.

Other uses:
You're a low- or mid-level warlock. If you hit with Witch Lock, your victory is a matter of time; if you miss, you've wasted 1/2 or 1/3 of your spell slots.
You're a ranger. You have nineteen regular arrows, and one Arrow of Dragon Slaying.
*Any other situation where a miss wastes not only one action, but also some other important resource.*

You're on a mission to rescue a hostage. The evil high priest is holding her as a human shield. Would you rather send two attacks in their direction, or one attack that's more likely to hit the EHP, and also *less likely to hit the hostage*?

 

[houser2112]

One other...you have a round to buff before rushing into a room...the old "kick down the door and charge" scenario.

I don't think it applies in this scenario, since 5E TS requires a target. It grants its effects against that particular target, not your next attack like 3E TS did.

 

[AmerginLiath]

Tell us more about these pie coupons. I see them as a way of avoiding fights with orcs (while still "winning" that encounter) within 10-ft rooms through the magic of commercial arrangements...

 

[RealAlHazred]

You're a low- or mid-level warlock. If you hit with Witch Lock, your victory is a matter of time; if you miss, you've wasted 1/2 or 1/3 of your spell slots.

In play, this was the main reason to have True Strike. Witch Bolt is a great spell for a 1st-level warlock, but only if it hits. With True Strike, you have a much better chance of hitting a difficult opponent, and if you can then remain under cover you can potentially kill a higher-CR monster than is normally feasible. The warlock at the adjacent table used it to great effect against a Roper, who was busy TPKing the party. AC 20 and a buttload of hps? Yeah, TS+WB is the way to go...

 

[fuindordm]

Apparently the combination is illegal, although barely so (TS and WB both being concentration spells).