Misty Step vs. Invisibility: Which is the Superior Choice in D&D 5e?

The question of whether Misty Step or Invisibility is “better” in D&D 5e isn’t a simple one. It boils down to the specific situation, your character build, and your strategic goals. If you need to quickly escape danger or reposition on the battlefield, Misty Step is generally the superior choice due to its instantaneous nature and action economy. However, if stealth, reconnaissance, or avoiding combat entirely is your priority, Invisibility reigns supreme. Ultimately, a well-rounded adventurer benefits from having access to both.

Deeper Dive: Comparing the Two Spells

Let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of each spell to understand why they excel in different scenarios.

Misty Step: The Tactical Teleport

Misty Step is a 2nd-level conjuration spell requiring only a bonus action to cast. This is its key advantage. It allows you to teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. Here’s why it’s so valuable:

• Action Economy: Casting Misty Step as a bonus action leaves your action free for attacking, casting another spell (a cantrip), or taking the Dodge action. This makes it incredibly versatile in combat.
• Escape Artist: Trapped, surrounded, or facing a dangerous enemy? Misty Step gets you out of trouble instantly. It ignores difficult terrain and doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks, making it a reliable escape route.
• Strategic Repositioning: Need to flank an enemy, reach a vulnerable target, or get behind cover? Misty Step allows you to quickly reposition yourself for maximum tactical advantage.
• Verbal Component Only: The spell requires only a verbal component, allowing you to cast even if your hands are bound.

However, Misty Step isn’t a perfect solution:

• Limited Range: 30 feet might not be enough to escape every situation. A determined melee opponent can still close the distance quickly.
• Requires Line of Sight: You need to be able to see your destination, limiting its usefulness in darkness or heavily obscured areas.
• No Stealth Benefit: It’s a quick escape, not a stealth option. Enemies will know where you went.

Invisibility: The Master of Stealth

The Invisibility spell is a 2nd-level illusion spell that turns you, or a willing creature you touch, invisible for up to an hour. This spell is invaluable for:

• Stealth and Reconnaissance: Invisibility provides unparalleled stealth. You can move around unnoticed, scout enemy positions, gather information, and avoid combat altogether.
• Surprise Attacks: While the Invisibility spell ends when you attack, that first attack is made with advantage, significantly increasing your chances of hitting and dealing critical damage.
• Avoiding Encounters: Sometimes, the best strategy is to avoid a fight entirely. Invisibility allows you to slip past dangerous encounters without engaging.
• Social Situations: Need to eavesdrop on a conversation or sneak into a restricted area? Invisibility can be a powerful tool for social manipulation and intrigue.

The drawbacks of Invisibility include:

• Breaks on Attack/Spellcasting: The spell ends as soon as you make an attack or cast a spell, limiting its effectiveness in sustained combat.
• Concentration Required: You must maintain concentration on the spell, making you vulnerable to losing it if you take damage.
• Not Foolproof: While you’re invisible, creatures can still hear you, smell you, or detect your presence through tremorsense or blindsight. A clever enemy might be able to deduce your location.
• Action to Cast: Invisibility takes an action to cast. This can be problematic if you need to act quickly in a dangerous situation.

Greater Invisibility: The Best of Both Worlds?

Greater Invisibility, a 4th-level spell, addresses some of the limitations of the regular Invisibility spell. Most significantly, it doesn’t end when you attack or cast a spell. This makes it a powerful combat buff, granting advantage on attacks and imposing disadvantage on attacks against you. However, it still requires concentration, and its higher spell slot cost makes it less readily available.

Considerations for Character Builds

The “best” spell also depends on your character’s class and role within the party.

• Rogues: Invisibility synergizes perfectly with the Rogue’s emphasis on stealth and sneak attacks.
• Wizards and Sorcerers: Misty Step provides crucial mobility and escape options for squishy spellcasters.
• Clerics and Paladins: Both spells can be useful, but Misty Step’s ability to quickly reach allies in need of healing or support is particularly valuable.
• Fighters and Barbarians: While less traditional choices, Misty Step can allow melee-focused classes to close the distance quickly or escape dangerous situations.

Making the Right Choice

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use Misty Step or Invisibility depends on the specific circumstances. Consider the following factors:

• Combat vs. Non-Combat: Are you trying to escape a fight, sneak past enemies, or gain a tactical advantage in combat?
• Action Economy: Can you afford to spend an action casting Invisibility, or do you need the flexibility of Misty Step‘s bonus action casting time?
• Concentration: Are you confident you can maintain concentration on Invisibility, or are you likely to take damage?
• Environment: Is it dark, noisy, or filled with creatures with special senses that might negate Invisibility?
• Party Composition: Does your party need you to be mobile and supportive, or do they need you to be stealthy and scout ahead?

A skilled adventurer will learn to assess these factors and choose the spell that best suits the situation. And, of course, having both spells prepared can provide even greater flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that will help you to further understand how to use Misty Step and Invisibility in D&D 5e.

1. Does being invisible automatically grant advantage on Stealth checks?

No. The invisible condition itself doesn’t automatically grant advantage on Stealth checks. However, Invisibility often makes it much easier to succeed on Stealth checks because enemies have disadvantage on Perception checks to see you. This is a significant advantage.

2. Does casting Misty Step break Invisibility?

Yes. Casting any spell, including Misty Step, will break the Invisibility spell.

3. What are the downsides of being invisible in 5e?

Attacks against invisible creatures are made with disadvantage, unless the attacker can see the invisible creature through magical means like truesight or blindsight. Opportunity attacks can’t be made against the invisible creature, unless the attacker can “see” them. Also, the Invisibility spell ends if the invisible creature attacks or casts a spell.

4. Why is Greater Invisibility considered better than Invisibility?

Greater Invisibility allows the invisible creature to continue attacking and casting spells without breaking the invisibility. This grants advantage on attacks and imposes disadvantage on attacks against the invisible creature, making it much more potent in combat.

5. What are the limitations of Misty Step?

Misty Step requires line of sight to the destination, has a range of only 30 feet, and requires you to see the unoccupied space. While powerful, it’s not a long-range teleportation spell.

6. Why is invisibility considered a desirable superpower?

Invisibility offers anonymity and secrecy, allowing you to move unnoticed, gather information discreetly, and potentially avoid dangerous situations. It’s a powerful tool for social manipulation and intrigue.

7. What are some potential cons of invisibility?

People might accidentally bump into you because they can’t see you. Some people might be frightened by the idea of an unseen presence. If your invisibility is absolute, you might be blind because light would pass right through your eyes.

8. Does the Guiding Bolt spell negate invisibility?

No, Guiding Bolt does not negate invisibility. While it provides advantage on the next attack roll against the target, it doesn’t remove the invisible condition. The attacker still suffers disadvantage to attack an invisible creature.

9. Does Blindsight allow a creature to “see” an invisible creature?

Yes. Blindsight allows a creature to perceive its surroundings without relying on sight. It effectively “sees” invisible creatures within its range.

10. Can Strahd von Zarovich, the famous vampire lord, turn invisible?

Yes, Strahd has access to spells like Greater Invisibility, allowing him to become invisible and attack while invisible.

11. Which races in D&D 5e have innate access to Misty Step?

High elves can unlock their innate ability to cast Misty Step by studying elven lore, and githyanki can innately cast Misty Step using their psionic abilities.

12. If I cast Misty Step as a bonus action, can I cast another spell on the same turn?

Yes, but only a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. This is a specific rule in D&D 5e.

13. How noisy is Misty Step when cast?

Misty Step requires a verbal component, so there is some noise at the point of departure. However, there’s no indication of loud or noticeable noise at the arrival point.

14. Can I hide from a creature with blindsight if I am invisible?

You can’t hide from a creature if you’re within its blindsight radius, unless magic entirely cloaks your presence. Stealth requires more than just invisibility; you must also be obscured.

15. Does truesight negate invisibility?

Yes, truesight allows a creature to see invisible creatures, negating the benefits of invisibility.

Ultimately, the decision between Misty Step and Invisibility depends on the situation and your character’s goals. Both are powerful spells that can provide significant advantages. To further develop your understanding of gameplay and incorporate educational elements, consider exploring resources at the Games Learning Society, available at GamesLearningSociety.org.