D&D 5E Blade Ward cantrip

[MortalPlague]

Yep. What Scorpio616 said.

 

[Tormyr]

Yes, but you only use it when you need it. No burning an action. Or that happy, mythical time when you get to level 18 and can choose it as your level 1 signature spell. +5 to AC whenever you want, and it only costs you your reaction.

 

[Psikerlord#]

Yes EK's and valor bards can gain some situational use, it still doesn't explain why it is on the warlock or sorcerer spell lists except as trap options.

a sorceror can quicken and still cast this spell, it's ok for them. As for warlock... hmmm... yeahhh

 

[Joe Liker]

I don't think there are any concentration cantrips. I think that was one of their "rules".

Guidance and resistance are both concentration cantrips, much to the chagrin of Tome Pact warlocks everywhere who are fond of their hex spell.

 

[Klaus]

It's a good cantrip for Valorous bards and Eldritch Knights (and multiclass characters with levels in these). A creature reduced to 0 speed (such as a restrained one) is incapable of Dodging, so a wizard caught in a net, an entangle spell, or web spell would be thankful to have this cantrip to stave off attacks for a round.

A high elf (or any character with Magic Initiate) rogue could also cast this cantrip, then use his Cunning Action to Dodge and then move with virtual impunity through a barrage of opportunity attacks or traps for a round.

 

[Paraxis]

It's a good cantrip for Valorous bards and Eldritch Knights (and multiclass characters with levels in these). A creature reduced to 0 speed (such as a restrained one) is incapable of Dodging, so a wizard caught in a net, an entangle spell, or web spell would be thankful to have this cantrip to stave off attacks for a round.

A high elf (or any character with Magic Initiate) rogue could also cast this cantrip, then use his Cunning Action to Dodge and then move with virtual impunity through a barrage of opportunity attacks or traps for a round.

7th level Eldritch Knights and 14th level Valorous Bards or multi class combinations with those levels, that is a lot of investment before a cantrip becomes useful.

As far as the rogue thing, maybe for traps that deal non energy damage but why are you running through traps if you are a rogue and not disarming them? If a rogue wants to avoid opportunity attacks he just uses his cunning action to disengage it prevents ALL opportunity attacks for the turn, in one of the most common uses is to just rush through the enemy front lines to get to the boss in the back.

Yes there are a few corner cases where this cantrip might be useful, but it is still a horrible spell.

 

[ccooke]

I can see myself using it, actually.
If you have a useful Concentration spell up and you're about to get rolled into a melee, using blade ward could make a big difference in the Concentration checks you have to make. It's still situational, though, yes.

I can definitely see it being used by non-combatant NPCs trying to run away, though. Actually, that would make a fun scenario

 

[Agamon]

I actually picked it for my cleric/wizard. The plan is, if I win initiative against some dumb opponents, run into the middle of the baddies and cast Blade Ward. Cast Shield vs the first attack, giving me 21 AC for the round, shake off the attacks of the swarm of baddies, let the rest of the party get a de facto surprise round. Then get the hell out of dodge the next round if I'm still kinda surrounded.

Also, as ccooke mentioned, it could be useful if I have an important concentration spell up.

 

[SgtShellback]

Maybe house rule it to allow casting as a bonus action?

 

[trentonjoe]

The problem with making it a bonus action or have a duration longer than one round is then it is TOO GOOD for a cantrip. Having resistance to weapon attacks as a cantrip is better than the Heavy Armor Master feat.

I'd rather see it only situationally good than to powerful.