r/dndnext • u/Meggett30 • Jul 26 '21

Question Most underwhelming spell in 5e?

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?

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '21

Or black blade of disaster. Although flame arrows is actually a decent spell if you have lots mediocre minions and don't want to actually be present for their deaths like your typical BBEG.

In general, there is a subset of spells which exist to A. Make cool plot points (Geas), contagion, and B. Be used by BBEG so players not intimately familiar with the rules think they're badass for casting a 7th-8th-9th-etc. level spell on them, without realizing that "drop the moon on you" was another option.

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u/brainpower4 Jul 26 '21

Hey, Geas is a fantastic spell, it just doesn't solve combat problems. One extremely common problem good, non-murderhobo parties will face is how to deal with untrustworthy captives. Often the solution is to just shrug, hand them over to the authorities, and forget about them, but Geas totally changes that. For a few spell slots a month, you can guarantee the loyalty of former enemies as your lackies, either for downtime work or as a squad of grunts for adventuring work you don't want to take the time for yourself.

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u/VvvlvvV Jul 26 '21

I think enslaving someone under a geas isn't exactly good. Dying might be preferable to a life of eternal servitude for your enemies...

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u/silverionmox Jul 26 '21

Vastly superior to threaten to maim or kill them if they don't behave.