Unleash Divine Fury: Combining Spells and Spiritual Weapon in D&D 5e

Yes, you absolutely can cast a spell and use Spiritual Weapon in the same turn in D&D 5e, but there are important caveats to understand. The core mechanic revolves around the spell’s casting time and the infamous bonus action spell rule. This article will break down how this works, explore related nuances, and answer common questions players have about maximizing their effectiveness with this potent cleric spell.

Understanding the Action Economy

The key to understanding how to combine spells with Spiritual Weapon lies in mastering the D&D 5e action economy. Each turn, you generally have one action, one bonus action, one reaction, and movement.

The Bonus Action Spell Rule

The crucial restriction is the bonus action spell rule. This rule states: “You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action, unless the bonus action spell has a casting time of one bonus action.”

Spiritual Weapon and the Action Economy

Spiritual Weapon has a casting time of 1 bonus action. This means when you initially cast Spiritual Weapon, you can only cast a cantrip as your action on the same turn. However, after Spiritual Weapon is active, you use your bonus action on subsequent turns to command it to attack. This is not casting a spell; it’s using the spell’s effect. Therefore, on those subsequent turns, you can cast a spell using your action (including leveled spells!) and still command your Spiritual Weapon with your bonus action.

A Strategic Example

Let’s say a cleric casts Spiritual Weapon as a bonus action on turn one, and Sacred Flame (a cantrip) as an action. On turn two, the cleric could cast Guiding Bolt (a leveled spell) as an action and then use their bonus action to have the Spiritual Weapon attack. This is a common and powerful tactic for maximizing damage output.

Mastering Spiritual Weapon: Advanced Tactics

Understanding the action economy unlocks the true potential of Spiritual Weapon. Consider these advanced tactics:

• Upcasting: As the article snippet highlights, upcasting Spiritual Weapon increases its damage. The damage increases by 1d8 for every two slot levels above the 2nd. This makes it a scaling option that remains useful at higher levels.

• Positioning: Strategic placement of the Spiritual Weapon is crucial. The range is 60 feet, so plan accordingly and be aware that a target CAN easily move out of range.

• Combining with Concentration Spells: Since Spiritual Weapon does not require concentration, combine it with other powerful concentration spells like Bless, Spirit Guardians, or Holy Weapon for devastating effects.

• Capitalizing on Vulnerabilities: If an enemy is vulnerable to force damage, Spiritual Weapon becomes even more potent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Spiritual Weapon, drawing directly from the provided text:

Can you cast spiritual weapon and another spell in the same turn?

Only if the other spell is a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action on the turn you cast Spiritual Weapon. On subsequent turns, you can cast any spell with a casting time of 1 action.

Does spiritual weapon use a spell slot?

Yes, Spiritual Weapon requires a spell slot of 2nd level or higher.

Can you cast spiritual weapon twice?

No, you can’t have two active Spiritual Weapons at the same time. The spell description doesn’t allow for multiple instances. However, you can sustain the spell multiple times in the same round in order to have the Spiritual Weapon attack multiple times, but this does not extend the duration of the spell.

Can you cast spells with a weapon?

Yes, you can cast spells while wielding a weapon, as long as the spell doesn’t have a Material or Focus component that requires a free hand, or if you have the War Caster feat. You can perform the somatic components of spells even when you have weapons or a shield in one or both hands.

Is Spiritual Weapon BAD in Dnd 5e?

Absolutely not! Spiritual Weapon is considered one of the most efficient and effective cleric spells in 5e, offering consistent damage output without requiring concentration.

Can you cast spells with weapons in hand?

Yes, you can, you just need the other hand free, or the War Caster feat, which allows you to cast spells with somatic components while wielding shield and weapon.

How many spiritual weapons can you cast?

You can only have one Spiritual Weapon active at a time.

Does spiritual weapon count as flanking?

No, the Spiritual Weapon does not count in any way with regard to setting up Flanking as it is not a creature nor ally.

Does spiritual weapon count as magical damage?

Yes, even if the weapon seems mundane, because it is conjured by a spell, it is magical and therefore pierces resistance/immunity.

Can you use dispel magic on spiritual weapon?

Yes, Dispel Magic, disintegrate, a sphere of annihilation, or a rod of cancellation affects it.

Can you destroy a spiritual weapon?

As a Spiritual Weapon is (unless upcast) a 2nd level spell, using a dispel would be a more frugal use to counter it than a disintegrate, and one that the DM doesn’t need to make a call on.

Can you cast spells while wielding a two handed weapon?

You can cast spells using a two-handed weapon without any special feats or abilities. Two-handed weapons are pretty clear that they only require 2 hands on it when the attack action is made.

Can you use mage hand the same turn you summon it?

Yes. If the action economy works, such as using an action and bonus action, you may cast/utilize a cantrip twice in one turn. It takes your full action to summon the hand, but you can control it twice per turn, using both your action and your bonus action.

Can spiritual weapon move through walls?

Yes; Spiritual Weapon can move through walls. The spell description indicates it’s spectral, which is “of or a like a ghost.” We have ghosts, and they have incorporeal movement. Which allows them to “move through other creatures and objects.”

Can an enemy walk through a spiritual weapon?

Yes, an enemy can walk through a Spiritual Weapon.

Can you use touch of death with spiritual weapon?

On a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. So yes, quite literally Touch of Death applies to Spiritual Weapon.

Conclusion: Embrace the Synergy

Spiritual Weapon is a cornerstone of many cleric builds for good reason. Understanding the action economy and how it interacts with the bonus action spell rule allows you to maximize your offensive potential. Remember to strategically position your Spiritual Weapon, combine it with concentration spells, and upcast it for greater damage. With practice, you’ll be wielding divine power with both spells and spectral weaponry. Delve deeper into the world of game-based learning with resources from the Games Learning Society, and explore how games can transform education. You can visit GamesLearningSociety.org to discover more.