Evocation

Hey, new caster buddy, Acid Arrow is a classic 2nd-level single-target blaster that's been around since AD&D, but in 5e it's solidly mediocre—think 'situational...

Listen up, new caster: Arcane Hand (aka Bigby's Hand in PHB) is your Swiss Army knife for boss fights. Summon a Str 26 force hand with your HP as hit points and...

Hey, new caster friend—Arcane Sword is a 7th-level evocation spell that's tempting on paper but a trap in practice for most tables. You summon a floating force...

> Quick Answer: Situational - Excellent for clerics dividing clustered enemies in medium encounters, forcing DEX saves for 6d10 slashing (avg 33 damage) while p...

Hey, new Paladin player—Branding Smite is a Situational 2nd-level evocation spell that's niche but shines in the right spotlight. As a 15+ year vet who's optimi...

> Quick Answer: Situational - Pick it for level 1-3 Wizards/Sorcs blasting clumped foes in 5ft-wide hallways (avg 10.5 fire dmg, half on DEX save), but dump it...

Chain Lightning is a classic 6th-level evocation spell that lets you zap a primary target within 150 feet with a lightning bolt dealing 10d8 (average 45) lightn...

Hey, new caster—Cone of Cold is your level 5 evocation nuke for when enemies are sardined in a hallway. It blasts a 60-foot cone from you for 8d8 (average 36) c...

Listen, if you're a wizard hitting 6th level, Contingency is your new best friend—the ultimate 'just in case' button that can save your bacon when the dice go s...

Hey, new caster friend—Continual Flame is one of those spells that screams 'campaign-dependent' from a mile away. As a 15-year vet who's optimized hundreds of s...

Hey, new caster friend—I've slung Cure Wounds across hundreds of tables over 15 years, and here's the straight talk: it's Situational at best. Averages 4.5 + yo...

Hey, new caster friend—Dancing Lights is one of those cantrips that punches way above its weight in the right hands, but it's a total trap if you treat it like...