D&D 5E bless isn't a bonus action?

[evilbob]

It's true; I keep forgetting about the versatility of the 5.0 spell system. Having the option to sack a Flame Strike for a really boosted Cure Wounds is what it's all about. (Actually, that was possible in 3.5 so maybe my example was poor, but you get the idea!)

Back on topic, maybe just extending the duration of Bless to 10 minutes would make it seem more like the other cleric buffs: long enough that you could always pre-cast it when you know you're going to fight and not worry about it running out, but the action still makes you have to weigh it carefully when you're already fighting?

I don't know; it just seems like they made Bless end up just like previous editions where I never saw it cast a single time, ever. I think it needs more love than 1->1d4, especially since you have to drop it to do anything else.

 

[Thaumaturge]

I don't know; it just seems like they made Bless end up just like previous editions where I never saw it cast a single time, ever. I think it needs more love than 1->1d4.

In before the obligatory "that's freaky! We used bless all of the time in every edition I've played" post.

Also, that's freaky! We used bless all of the time in every edition I've played.

Thaumaturge.

 

[TwoSix]

If higher level spells are strictly better, then why include the extra rules for boosting spells? I guess that's really more of a side conversation. I was definitely hoping for more stuff like Cure Wounds that scales intentionally to avoid having to have multiples of spells (although we're back to healing being a trap with that one).

Because if you Cure Wounds was as good as Heal, you wouldn't need Heal. Or, more basically, if every spell was roughly equivalent for a given spell slot, you wouldn't need higher level spells. You'd just make every spell have a 1-9 progression.

Why didn't they do that? They could have, of course, but that starts to feel more like psionics and less like traditional casting.

 

[Agamon]

I don't know; it just seems like they made Bless end up just like previous editions where I never saw it cast a single time, ever. I think it needs more love than 1->1d4, especially since you have to drop it to do anything else.

The cleric in the group I run casts it a lot more than a single time, let alone a single time, ever. Do you find clerics in your group poo-pooing it? Or are you just coming at this from reading the rules?

 

[GSHamster]

On another side note, clerics are in a very weird place with the concentration mechanic. On one hand, if they are concentrating on a buff spell like Bless, they can't cast other spells so they don't have a lot of other things to do other than fight - so they might as well get in there and start swinging. On the other hand, if they get in there and start swinging, they're more likely to take damage and thus lose their concentration. So they'd rather stay out of the fray.

I wonder if Dex-based bow clerics will see a rise?

Concentration only breaks on spellcasting if you cast another spell requiring Concentration. You're free to cast as many one-shot spells as you like while maintaining Bless.

 

[keterys]

I'd be very happy to see Bless switch to a bonus action to cast... if it also was made less effective to match.

I'm not a fan of the current Bless: it's too effective. As a bonus action, you'd remove its balancing factor.

 

[evilbob]

Concentration only breaks on spellcasting if you cast another spell requiring Concentration. You're free to cast as many one-shot spells as you like while maintaining Bless.

Ah - I completely got that wrong. Thank you! That makes Beacon of Hope much better!

Yes, I mean I've never with any of the clerics I've ever run/played with/seen had anyone use that spell... except maybe once or twice. +1 just wasn't worth it, not when you could actually do something instead with your action - especially when fights only last 3 or 4 rounds anyway, why take 25% of your actions to maybe almost help someone do better? I think the one time someone cast it, it never made a difference - so they stopped bothering. But that is all irrelevant, I know. Everyone's millage will vary. Ultimately it will come down to "how valuable is an action" in fights for this edition, but I'm still betting the answer is "lots."

 

[MerricB]

Based on my experiences in the playtest: Bless is amazing. Getting an additional 1d4 on attack rolls is quite significant. It has actually been toned down - it used to be all your allies and lasted for 10 minutes!

Cheers!

 

[the Jester]

I definitely think bless is a worthwhile spell as-is. As a bonus action, it would be far too good for a 1st level spell (IMHO).

 

[mach1.9pants]

I am struggling to remember ever seeing the Bless spell used in my games of BECMI, 1E, 2E, and 3E. Definitely used in 4E and looks good for 5E.