Does Spiritual Weapon Require an Action? A Comprehensive Guide
No, spiritual weapon does not require an action to cast or use on subsequent turns. Casting the spiritual weapon spell initially requires a bonus action. After casting, you can use another bonus action on each of your subsequent turns to move the weapon and make an attack. This leaves your action free for other activities, such as casting other spells (specifically, a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action) or taking the Attack action.
Spiritual Weapon: A Deep Dive
Spiritual Weapon is a 2nd-level conjuration spell available to Clerics. It summons a floating, spectral weapon that you can direct to attack your foes. This spell is a cornerstone for many Cleric builds because it offers consistent damage output without requiring concentration, freeing the Cleric up to cast other crucial spells like Bless or Healing Word. The spell’s utility, coupled with its relatively low resource cost (a 2nd-level spell slot), makes it a popular and effective choice for Clerics of all domains.
Key Features of Spiritual Weapon
- Casting Time: 1 bonus action
- Range: 60 feet
- Duration: 1 minute
- Concentration: No
- Damage Type: Force
- Attack Type: Melee Spell Attack
- Damage: 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier
- Movement: 20 feet on each of your turns as a bonus action.
The fact that Spiritual Weapon doesn’t require concentration is a significant advantage. Many powerful spells require concentration, meaning the caster must maintain focus and can lose the spell’s effect if they take damage or become incapacitated. Since Spiritual Weapon doesn’t require concentration, a Cleric can cast it and then focus on maintaining other important spells, enhancing their battlefield control and tactical options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spiritual Weapon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Spiritual Weapon spell, addressing common rules questions and clarifying specific interactions.
1. Does Spiritual Weapon require line of sight?
Interestingly, the spiritual weapon itself needs to “see” its target, not the caster. Think of it as the spell creating a sense for the weapon itself. This means you could potentially use it while blinded if you have a way to pinpoint a target’s location.
2. Does Spiritual Weapon suffer a miss chance due to sight-based effects?
No, because it doesn’t rely on sight to make its attacks. The connection to you through divine magic allows for a melee spell attack without penalties typically associated with vision impairment.
3. Does Divine Strike apply to Spiritual Weapon?
No, Divine Strike specifically applies to weapon attacks. Spiritual Weapon uses a spell attack roll, not a weapon attack roll. Therefore, the extra damage from Divine Strike cannot be added to Spiritual Weapon attacks.
4. Can Spiritual Weapon deal nonlethal damage?
Yes. The rules for Nonlethal Damage specifically only require a melee attack, which Spiritual Weapon is.
5. Can Spiritual Weapon participate in flanking?
No, the Spiritual Weapon does not count in any way with regard to setting up Flanking. A creature involved in Flanking gains advantage on Melee Attacks, but SW is a Melee Spell Attack – so no luck.
6. Can an enemy walk through a Spiritual Weapon?
Yes, an enemy can walk through it. Spiritual Weapon doesn’t create difficult terrain or an obstacle. It is a spell effect, not a creature that occupies space in the same way.
7. Can Spiritual Weapon attack multiple times in a round?
While you can’t make multiple attacks with Spiritual Weapon on a single turn using only its inherent abilities, you can sustain the spell multiple times in the same round by spending multiple bonus actions.
8. Can you have two Spiritual Weapons active simultaneously?
While technically possible by having another character cast it for you (since you can only cast one with a bonus action yourself), it’s often not strategically advantageous. You would have to rely on another party member casting the spell for you.
9. Can Spiritual Weapon be broken or destroyed?
The spell description doesn’t specify a hit point value or any means of destroying the Spiritual Weapon through direct attack. However, spells like dispel magic, disintegrate, or effects like a sphere of annihilation or rod of cancellation can affect it.
10. Can Spiritual Weapon pass through walls?
No, despite being a spectral weapon, it cannot pass through solid objects like walls. Jeremy Crawford, the lead rules designer for D&D, has clarified this point.
11. Does Spiritual Weapon remain active if the caster goes unconscious?
Yes, it is not a concentration spell, so getting hit, falling unconscious, even dying do not end the duration of the spell. However, you can’t direct it while unconscious as it requires a bonus action.
12. Can a creature share a space with Spiritual Weapon?
Yes, Spiritual Weapon does not occupy a square in a traditional sense. It hovers in its space but doesn’t impede movement or block other creatures.
13. How does Spiritual Weapon move?
As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the weapon up to 20 feet and direct it to attack a creature within 5 feet. The weapon can take whatever form you choose, offering some visual customization.
14. Does Spiritual Weapon count as a magic weapon for overcoming resistance?
It is a spell whose effect resembles a weapon. Whether it counts as a magical weapon for overcoming resistance to nonmagical attacks depends on the specific creature and the DM’s interpretation. For example, a Rakshasa is immune. Each of these has to be decided on a case by case basis and ultimately this is a DM call. The intent is that it’s magical.
15. Can Spiritual Weapon fly?
Yes, the spell description doesn’t restrict its movement to horizontal planes. You can move it vertically as well, up to 20 feet on your turn. The weapon is literally hovering in the air and flying around.
Mastering the Spiritual Weapon Spell
Spiritual Weapon is a versatile and powerful spell that enhances a Cleric’s combat capabilities significantly. Its low action economy cost (a bonus action) and lack of concentration requirement make it an invaluable tool for any Cleric seeking to balance damage output with support and utility. Understanding the nuances of the spell, its limitations, and its interactions with other game mechanics will allow you to wield it effectively in a wide range of situations. Consider how it can augment your strategy both offensively and defensively.
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