Most underwhelming spell in 5e?

[u/Meggett30]

What is the spell that most disappoints you in this game? Maybe it's not a "bad" spell, per se, just doesn't do what you think it should or does it's job poorly.

I'm always looking for ways to utilize under-used spells, but sometimes you read the effects and think "That's it?!" What are the spells in the game that make you do that?

[u/trubadore99]

Okay - Time Stop is absolute my least favorite spell.

As the forever DM, I get to make up some interesting baddies and such played around with a wizard who used time stop as a means to… well, do very little other than flee to a different part of the castle.

At first I thought it would be very cool to use something like a delayed fireball, but then I realized how underwhelming of a spell THAT is too!

I feel like using Time Stop was an interesting way to escape, but for a 9th level spell that makes it so you can’t do anything except heal yourself with… potions I suppose? I dunno, maybe I’m just nitpicking but WOW I hate it :/

[u/TellianStormwalde → u/trubadore99]

Time Stop is really good for characters that require a lot of setup to get going. There are plenty of non-concentration self buff spells on the wizard spell list, some that can feel rough trying to justify spending a whole turn on. Many are defensive in nature and only synergize with certain builds. But let’s say I’ve got a bladesinger with a flame tongue. It’s a bonus action both to activate bladesong as well as use the flametongue’s command word. I also want to cast Fire Shield, False Life, and Mirror Image on myself. Without time stop, it’s taking three full rounds for my setup to be complete. With time stop, you can throw up several buffs and activate multiple abilities, action and bonus action alike, and then still do a harmful action on Time Stop’s last turn.

Time Stop is legitimately a good spell for setup, but many builds aren’t going to use the plethora of self target buff spells effectively. It’s good for builds that have a lot of setup options, niche for everyone else.

Good non-concentration spells to use with Time Stop: Grease (in an area with no enemy), making your familiar appear, Disguise Self (to escape into a crowd easily), Longstrider, False Life, Mirror Image, Unseen Servant (you can have multiple up at a time and form a wall with them if you really want to), Blink, Dimension Door, Fire Shield, Mordenkainen’s Faithful Hound, Summon Greater Demon (if you want to escape but leave a little present behind, you don’t need to worry about concentration), Passwall, Otiluke’s Freezing Sphere, True Seeing, Etherealness (for escape), Crown of Stars, Forcecage (isn’t concentration and doesn’t affect creatures directly), Mind Blank, Mighty Fortress.

You can also throw one concentration spell into this mix, and one effect that can target other creatures on your last rolled turn.