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

[Kobold Stew]

On hiatus from the reveals of the classes, today we get Spells!


We saw new spells throughout the Playtest UA documents:

• Stuff from PT 8 and 9 mostly made the cut (cantrips, healing, conjure).
• Stuff from PT 4 and 5 (class-specific spells, familiar, Phantom Steed, etc.) not mentioned here.

OVERVIEW:

• 30 more spells than PHB 2014 (some have lost concentration, some have added it); more art
• embedded Sage Advice into descriptions. FAQs answered.
• spells list classes that have it on their list. (no mention of subclass lists)
• "ritual" tag now listed on casting time line. (not clear that this helps -- will they be marked on the spell lists with the classes?)
• Emanation Area of Effect - greater consistency.
• Many Easter Eggs and "winks"
• Changes made based on playing BG3 (Produce Flame).
• Revamped spells: BLADE WARD, RESISTANCE, GUIDANCE (includes bonus to a chosen skill). Blade ward might get used!
• [NEW] Shapeshift spells (POLYMORPH, etc.) all do not give extra hit points; now you get THP.
• [NEW] Named spells (no details) YOLAND'S REGAL PRESENCE, JELARZI'S STORM OF RADIANCE, TASHA'S BUBBLING CAULDRON (get potions)
• Other spells brought in from previous books: TOLL THE DEAD, SYNAPTIC STATIC, STARRY WISP, SORCEROUS BURST, MIND SPIKE, MIND SLIVER, ICE KNIFE, VITRIOLIC SPHERE, WORD OF RADIANCE.
• No mention of (e.g.) Green Flame Blade and Booming Blade; presumably they are not in PHB 2024.

Individual spells, roughly alphebetized:
CHROMATIC ORB -- you still choose damage type. Now the orb can "bounce" from one target to another.
[NEW] CLOUD OF DAGGERS -- now you can move it.
CONJURE spells all redesigned. Creats "spirits" of creatures, not stat blocks. Like in PT8.
CURE WOUNDS cures more damage
DRAGON'S BREATH now on Draconic Sorcerer list (from Xanathar)
ELEMENTALISM cantrip (Warrior of Elements in Monk. Separate Element cantrips not brought in.
FLAME STRIKE does more damage.
GUARDS AND WARDS mainly for DMs more than players.
HEALING WORD cure more damage.
[NEW] PRAYER OF HEALING boosted and gives the benefit of a Short Rest (1/long rest)
PRODUCE FLAME -- now easier to set up/cast.
STEEL WIND STRIKE for Ranger
SUMMON spells from Tasha's -- imported and upgraded. Most have art. Beast, Fey, Construct, Undead.
WISH now has default options. More details on ramifications of using the spell: guidance of using spell vs Sigil and Lady of Pain (why? is this just "fun bit of flavour")

Happy Canada Day, everybody!

 

[aco175]

I guess I'll get my lunch and settle in for the show to start in 10 minutes.

 

[Remathilis]

Oooh... A hint that sorcerers will get bonus spells in all their subclasses?

 

[Yaarel]

So "summon" is to manifest a creature onto the combat area. A "conjure" spell is to call the spirit of the creature. Interesting. I like the thematic distinction.

 

[Yaarel]

There is a unified Elemental cantrip, to alter various elements, reshaping them and so on.

Other elemental spells from elsewhere, like Ice Knife, are in the 2024 Players Handbook.

 

[Argyle King]

What's a "Bastion"?

 

[Remathilis]

Lol. There is a Planescape caveat for Wish. I hope it says "don't. just, don't."

 

[aco175]

I was hoping they would actually show a spell and see what is changing.

 

[Remathilis]

Welp, that was light on details. Would have loved more of a detailed breakdown on the problem children spells, but what can you do...

 

[Yaarel]

They were mindful of upgrading the subpar spells (that were "not delivering the power they should be delivering")! Even Blade Ward and Resistance cantrips are to see play.

It looks like they keep the established slot, but tweak the spell to make sure it merits the slot.

They seem to focus on low slot subpar spells. But some high slot spells like Flame Strike got a needed boost. In any case, I welcome them doing a comb thru. Every correction for balance consistency appropriate to the slot helps the game run well − and choices be actual choices.

A few spells that were overpowered have seen a nerf, but these are rare. Mostly, 2014 successfully avoided broken spells. I hope Force Cage is one of the spells that got a nerf.