Does Spiritual Weapon Count for Flanking in D&D 5e?

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The short, definitive answer is: No, a spiritual weapon does not count for flanking in D&D 5e. While the concept of flanking and the potential benefits it provides might tempt players to try and leverage their spiritual weapon for an advantage, the rules are quite clear. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and explore the nuances of flanking and spiritual weapon in 5th Edition.

Understanding Flanking in D&D 5e

The Flanking Rule

Flanking is an optional rule found in the Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG, page 251). It provides an additional layer of tactical depth to combat. The rule states:

When a creature and at least one of its allies are adjacent to an enemy and on opposite sides or corners of the enemy’s space, they flank that enemy, and each of them has advantage on melee attack rolls against that enemy.

Several key elements of this rule are critical:

• Creatures: The rule specifically mentions creatures as the entities that can participate in flanking. This is a critical point when considering the spiritual weapon.
• Adjacent: Flanking requires being adjacent to the enemy, meaning within the enemy’s reach (typically 5 feet).
• Opposite Sides or Corners: The flanking allies must be on opposing sides or corners of the targeted creature’s space. This emphasizes the tactical element, forcing players to position themselves strategically.
• Advantage: The reward for flanking is advantage on melee attack rolls. This effectively increases the chance of a hit, as you roll two d20s and take the higher result.

Why Spiritual Weapon Doesn’t Qualify for Flanking

The spiritual weapon is a spell that conjures a floating, spectral weapon. Here’s why it doesn’t count for flanking:

• Not a Creature: The spiritual weapon is not considered a creature. It’s a conjured magical effect, an extension of the caster’s will, not an independent entity. The flanking rule is very specific in requiring creatures to create the flanking condition.
• Melee Spell Attack: The spiritual weapon makes a melee spell attack, not a melee weapon attack. While it does engage in melee range, its attacks are derived from the spell itself, further distinguishing it from a creature. Flanking only provides advantage on melee weapon attacks.

Therefore, even if you position your spiritual weapon perfectly on the opposite side of an enemy you’re engaging, it will not grant you or your allies the benefits of flanking.

15 Frequently Asked Questions About Spiritual Weapon and Flanking

To further illuminate the topic, here are 15 frequently asked questions:

1. Does Spiritual Weapon count as an action? No, you move and attack with the spiritual weapon as a bonus action. This leaves your main action free for other activities, like casting spells or taking the attack action.

2. Are there flanking rules in 5e? Yes, but flanking is an optional rule that the DM may choose to use. If used, flanking grants advantage on melee attacks as described above.

3. Does Spiritual Weapon count for divine strike? No. Divine strike applies to weapon attacks, while spiritual weapon is a spell attack.

4. Does Spiritual Weapon get 2 attacks? You can use your bonus action multiple times in a round to move and attack with the spiritual weapon, but this doesn’t extend the spell’s duration. It allows it to attack multiple times in the same turn.

5. Does Spiritual Weapon count as magical damage? Yes. Although the weapon itself may seem mundane, it is conjured by a spell, making its damage magical and thus able to overcome resistance or immunity to non-magical damage.

6. Can you flank with a familiar? Yes, a familiar can participate in flanking as long as it’s considered armed (capable of making a melee attack) and in the proper position relative to the targeted creature.

7. Does flanking work with ranged attacks? No, flanking applies only to melee attacks. Ranged attacks do not gain the advantage from flanking. Some DMs may choose to houserule differently.

8. Can you have 2 Spiritual Weapons? Yes, you could cast spiritual weapon multiple times, but the benefits are usually minimal since each takes a spell slot and the effectiveness of the spell doesn’t scale with more than one at a time.

9. How does the Spiritual Weapon work in 5e? The spell summons a spectral weapon that lasts for the duration or until you cast the spell again. You can use a bonus action to move it up to 20 feet and make a melee spell attack.

10. Can you destroy a Spiritual Weapon? No, the weapon is spectral and cannot be targeted or damaged by any physical means.

11. Why is flanking so effective? Flanking effectively attacks the enemy from a position they aren’t well-defended against, mimicking real-world military tactics. The game represents this through advantage, thereby increasing the accuracy of attack rolls.

12. Does flanking work with reach? No. While a creature with reach can make attacks at range, they must be adjacent to the enemy to participate in flanking, making reach largely irrelevant to the concept of flanking.

13. Can you flank with a dancing sword? Yes. The dancing sword operates as a melee weapon and therefore can flank if in the correct position.

14. Can you have a Phoenix as a familiar? Yes, but it involves specific conditions. You can get it by having a phoenix familiar from using its immolation power, but you need to be a spell caster of at least 5th level.

15. Can you use touch of death with Spiritual Weapon? Yes. Touch of Death adds a specific type of damage. This would add additional damage to the spell.

Conclusion

While the spiritual weapon is a versatile spell for bonus action attacks, it is not a creature and therefore cannot participate in flanking. Players should focus on positioning actual creatures strategically to gain the advantage that flanking provides. Understanding these nuances will help you use the spiritual weapon and the flanking rules more effectively within your D&D 5e campaigns.