D&D (2024) 2024 Player's Handbook preview: "New Spells"

[Micah Sweet]

I think we saw the nerfs in the UA. The rest are just going to be buffs, because, they buffed warrior types, they need to give casters double that.

Also, players don't like nerfs, and 5.5 is all about the players.

 

[Micah Sweet]

This was a pretty light reveal imho. A lot of art talk.

They do love to talk about the art.

 

[Scribe]

They do love to talk about the art.

I can only imagine that the survey responses absolutely slammed them with "THE ART MATTERS".

I know I always rated it highly, but then my hope was they would diversify the style and tone...and that didnt happen.

 

[SteveC]

This is really interesting, since we are now in an area where I really do pay attention and do care. It looks like we have categories of spells (summons) that are being entirely reworked mechanically and some minor tweaks, but not much else?

Maybe I will be beaten up for this, but not addressing the Shield spell (which it truly seems they have not) is a big deal. It's one of the most controversial spells on the Wizard side of the aisle. I will absolutely not complain if it stays the same.

I wonder how Spirit Guardians is going to interact with the change to summons. If I understand, summon spells now have an aura where you cause damage, which is sort of Spirit Guardians thing.

I find it interesting that not a lot has been updated or changed in this area. And I'm kind of surprised how that works out, considering what happened to classes. This is going to be an exciting August 1, since that's when the embargo on discussing changes ends.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Must be a drow. They're purple now they've always been purple.

He's not a drow, he's always been pale and creepy.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I'm assuming it's to prevent abuse from a warlock who multiclasses to gain the spell. I can't think of any super problematic combos off the top of my head, but getting a new max level spell slot every 10 minutes on top of the healing from PoH has to allow some kind of shenanigans.

Okay, a warlock multi-class or Celestial warlock would be a good reason for the change. I wouldn't mind a cleric casting it while a warlock was in the party, but self-contained? That could be abused.

 

[Charlaquin]

It looks like most of the spells mentioned are getting an upgrade. Any significant nerfs?

None discussed in the video, apart from a passing mention that in a very rare few cases, some spells that were “over-delivering” have been toned down. The “conjure things” spells all got completely re-written to be more like Spirit Guardians variants, but whether or not that’s a “nerf” is harder to pin down.

Any change to the rules for concentration?

To the base rules for concentration? No indication of that whatsoever; I don’t know why there would be any expectation of such changes, since nothing of the sort was tested in UA. They did mention that some spells that required concentration before don’t require it any more, and a few that didn’t require it before now do.

 

[Micah Sweet]

He's not a drow, he's always been pale and creepy.

Does it say that anywhere?

 

[mellored]

One could argue that custom worldbuilding by GMs isn't WotC's priority.

They give "more guidance" on worldbuilding in the DMG.
No idea how much more.

It looks like most of the spells mentioned are getting an upgrade. Any significant nerfs? Any change to the rules for concentration?

As of the playtest.
Spiritual weapon has concentration.
Life cleric no longer multiplies Goodberry.

Also, Treantmonk wants to talk about changes to he core casting rules, but he can't. I am assuming the action + bonus action limit is gone.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

For the high-level damage spells do more damage which ones do you think are lacking in the damage department?
Chain Lightning?
Otiluke's Freezing Sphere?
Circle of Death?
Prismatic Spray?

Meteor Swarm is probably just right as a 9th level spell at 20d6 fire + 20d6 bludgeoning damage.

I know some have complained about Abi Dalzim's Horrid Wilting, if that's a spell that graduates to the PHB, but it might have been about how it only did damage and nothing else.