Hello spellcasters of all shapes and sizes! Welcome to my spellbook and thank you so much for checking out the 41st episode of our first level spell series. Today we’re going to be taking a look at one of my personal favorite cleric spells in the entire game, at least in terms of damage this is one of my top 10 for sure.
Today we’re going to be taking a look at guiding bolt 5e. Thematically and mechanically this is probably one of the best first level spells you can pick for the cleric and naturally it’s only usable by them. There’s a couple other classes that can get access to this. But as per the spell list it’s on it’s only found on the cleric.
It has also found in the player’s handbook so you should all have access to it. Without further ado let’s take a look at the mechanics here. In any case you can also check out comparision between guiding bolt vs inflict wounds.
Mechanics
- Level: 1st
- Casting Time: 1 Action
- Range/Area: 120 ft
- Components: V, S
- Duration: 1 Round
- School: Evocation
- Attack/Save: Ranged
- Damage/Effect: Radiant
So your initial damage whopping 4d6 holy moly! that’s quite good and you get an additional die six per each spell slot above first. If you thought damaging was all it did, you’d be wrong. On a hit the next attack roll against the target has advantage. So not only did you do a decent chunk of damage but you set your party member up to do the same, i think that’s incredible. You can also check out this guiding bolt always misses bg3.
The cast time is standard one action with a range is an impressive 120 feet. The duration is one round so the effect only lasts a round which makes sense logically. The saving throw there is none it’s just a spell attack. The components are somatic and verbal meaning you have to gesture with one hand and speak forth an incantation. The school is evocation and the damage type is radiant.
So pretty cool stuff there! We’re also going to the full description and kind of break it down a little more and we will get an idea about how does guiding bolt work. It reads as followed. Also read can you make your own spells in d&d.
Description
A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d6 radiant damage, and the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.
Okay really really cool stuff! Once again mechanically this thing’s an absolute beast and thematically it’s so cool! The fact that it attracts dim light to the target as well, awesome just super awesome! That being said, let’s take a look at some alternative uses and you will find the answer for, is guiding bolt good. In any case you can also check out this is guiding bolt a druid spell?
Alternative Uses
So the best one i could think of at least off the top of my head would be, let’s say you’re dealing with a creature that only you could see like let’s say it was not you a darkvision and you notice something flying above you. You could hit it with guiding bolt and you would reveal the target location to the rest of your party members and anyone else looking as well. In addition to doing a decent chunk of damage.
I really like this, i suppose you could also use it as fireworks or some kind of a flare but the spell specifies that it has to target a creature, so i would leave that up to your DM to decide.
Conclusion
In any case guys thank you so much for checking out today, if you can think of any like cool uses for it or build ideas or combos please regarding what is the guiding bolt spell in d&d? please put them down beneath in the comment section, i’m really curious to see what you guys can come up with. In any case i hope you all have a great day and as always happy casting.
Also check out healing word 5e | sacred flame 5e | inflict wounds 5e | 5th dnd classes | 5e starting gold level 5.