D&D (2024) 2024 Spell Changes

[Stalker0]

A lot of spells covered here.

Spirit Guardians: Practically UNCHANGED. Can't believe it.
Witch Bolt: HUGE BUFF, you can do 1d12 every round as a bonus action after the first as long as the creature stays in the 60 foot area, EVEN IF YOU MISS WITH THE FIRST ATTACK. Like that spell is freakin cool now.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

1 minute duration.

HARD PASS.

Trap spell.

How much does the new baseline 1st level Divine Smite deal?

 

[FitzTheRuke]

1 minute duration.

HARD PASS.

Trap spell.

You think getting +1d4 damage to all your weapon attacks for a full combat is a trap?

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

You think getting +1d4 damage to all your weapon attacks for a full combat is a trap?

Most 5e combats struggle to go over 3 rounds. So that's 3d4 (7.5) at 1st, 6d4 (15) at 5th level for a 1st level slot, though odds are good one or two attacks miss. Damage up front should be worth more than damage later, so the expected damage output of Divine Favor should exceed that of a baseline smite. I think it becomes viable at 5th.

I was actually trying to make an elemental arrows spell for a ranger in our game, so was looking into balancing this exact thing.

 

[mellored]

I haven't seen any of the changes yet, beyond the Playtest. What have we got?

Here are some

 

[Minigiant]

You think getting +1d4 damage to all your weapon attacks for a full combat is a trap?

For 1 combat. Yes.
It will deal 5d4 damage if you are lucky.

Hunter's Mark with a 1st level slots lasts an hour and thus can be in multiple combats.
AND it can be up before the fight.

 

[Minigiant]

How much does the new baseline 1st level Divine Smite deal?

EDIT:​

+1d4 damage for Divine Favor
+2d8 damage for Divine Smite

They need to use more adjectives for holy attacks.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

+1d4 damage

Wait, they went from 2d8 for a 1st level slot to 1d4?!

Yeah, we ain't swapping to that. My wife plays a paladin and I need to sleep in the house.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Wait, they went from 2d8 for a 1st level slot to 1d4?!

Yeah, we ain't swapping to that. My wife plays a paladin and I need to sleep in the house.

It's still 2d8.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

It's still 2d8.

OK, so it's pretty bad before extra attack. You need to hit 4 times to match the damage of a 1st level smite. And even then the smite is favored because frontloaded damage is almost always preferrable. I like my DOT's to pull ahead on round 3 at the latest.