D&D 5E (2014) Choose your spells in real life?

[PnPgamer]

Nobody else warms up to the detect thoughts?

 

[Leatherhead]

Firebolt - because screw all this prestidigitation crap, if someone busts into my home I'll have self defense on my person 24-7, even on the toilet.

The smell of burning human is unpleasant, better go with Eldritch Blast instead.

Lets see:

Spare the Dying, Prestidigitation, and maybe Eldritch Blast (because seriously, who doesn't want to blow stuff up)

OR Goodberry+Comprehend Languages

I would feel too much pressure with Lesser Restoration.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Nobody else warms up to the detect thoughts?

I think this is a classic monkey's paw spell that would potentially ruin friendships and end in heartbreak. I'd rather keep the social filter up and running than pry into someone's head. If I worked in law enforcement it might be different, but human beings think some jacked up stuff.

 

[Kobold Stew]

I think this is a classic monkey's paw spell...

Agreed: "Either way the target knows you are probing into its mind..."

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Level 1:
* Comprehend Languages -- this would make me immeasurably better at my present job, in addition to the ability to understand anyone; read anything. With this question in mind, reading the spell description brings new things to light. the "literal" meaning is understood; does that mean that you aren't able to perceive non-literal meaning? What happens when I read poetry in another language?

I think it lets you understand as a native speaker of your normal reading comprehension level. So you get idioms, homonyms, etc. So like an average intelligence non English speaker would understand the old joke "Q: Why was 10 afraid? A: Because Seven ate Nine!" with the relationship between 8 and the word "ate". On the other hand, a dumb orc would see the translated works of of complicated poetry, but not divine much meaning because he couldn't understand something similar in his own language.

Just my take. You could instead run it like Cypher's power in the X-Men, and let them be the best computer coders in the world, read body language, etc.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Agreed: "Either way the target knows you are probing into its mind..."

Yeah. And if you thought people didnt like having their texts read...

 

[Dausuul]

Nobody else warms up to the detect thoughts?

Heck no. I don't want to know what other people are thinking.

Aside from lesser restoration, some other good options would be enhance ability, cure wounds, speak with animals, augury (hello, stock market day trading), animal friendship, mending, prestidigitation, guidance, spare the dying, alter self, feather fall (skydiving without a parachute), and unseen servant.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Good list!

I will point out that

feather fall (skydiving without a parachute)

Is less of a thing in this edition than in previous ones, in part because it affects so many people. There's a suspicion in falling, to my eye, that seems hardwired in the system, that doesn't just let the spell avoid falling damage. Look at the rareness of the ring of feather falling, for instance. In another edition, this spell would easily have been on my short list; for some reason, the wording this edition seems drained of the fun it once had. (just stating personal preference; not meant as edition-warring).

 

[green_destiny]

Read minds? I'll pass. Too much drama/distractions to deal with.

augury (hello, stock market day trading)

I think its not exactly beneficial for trading, if the results gives you both good and bad omen, and you just have one shot at it throughout the day. And even if it gives you good omen, it will not tell you how much will be your gain.

Anyway Lesser Restoration is a top pick here, its really nice and noble to heal others especially to people you care about. But I'm thinking more on its implications that in the long run I might feel too pressured to choose whom to heal (especially if people for healing were supposed to die that day - I would need to pick one and can result to vengeance/threats from other people not healed), in order to make money out of it one is expected to be eventually famous about it (publicly or in black markets) which can hinder my day to day living and could potentially endanger my life.

I prefer spells that I can use to my advantage in secret so Invisibility and Sleep came to mind however I'm also considering the duration of the spells. The duration of these spells are good in DnD combat/roleplay but not enough in real life (1 hour or 1 minute duration only per day - not enough for me). A manipulative bit part of me is also considering Suggestion (1 person, 8hrs a day) and work my way to the top and can be a defensive spell too. Assuming that when the spell ends the person will not know he was charmed the whole time.

Given all of these that I prefer spells that I can secretly use in my advantage and the duration of the spells my final pick were these 3 Cantrips (at-will):

* Minor Illusion - illusion or sound
* Mending - handy and profitable too (contact me if you want your cracked/broken phone, laptop, engine etc. repaired)
* Eldritch Blast - for defensive purposes

Each to his own, these are just my preferences.

 

[Mistwell]

Some other interesting options:

Zone of Truth: Useful for a prosecuting attorney. Witness can't lie.
Suggestion: Similar to Zone of Truth, but with broader application. Lasts 8 hours.
Locate Object: Prospecting for gold was never so easy.
Augury: Tremendously useful. Can be used for betting, stock market, lots of life decisions.
Enhance Ability: Advantage on ability checks of one type, for an hour.

And, for the parent in me: Calm Emotion, Sleep, Unseen Servant, oh who am I kidding all of the ones above would help with a toddler as well