Guardian of Faith

A
Damage

Guardian of Faith is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that summons a divine sentinel to guard a point, creating
battlefield control

Guardian of Faith is a Battlefield Shaping spell. Battlefield Shaping spells alter terrain, create obstacles, introduce hazards, and affect enemy positioning.

See all Battlefield Shaping spells →
 and striking
multiple foes

Guardian of Faith is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
 who draw near.

2024 Rules
Level & School
4th-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V
Duration
8 hours
Classes
Cleric

A Large spectral guardian appears and hovers for the duration in an unoccupied space that you can see within range. The guardian occupies that space and is invulnerable, and it appears in a form appropriate for your deity or pantheon.

Any enemy that moves to a space within 10 feet of the guardian for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 20 Radiant damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. The guardian vanishes when it has dealt a total of 60 damage.

2014 Rules
Level & School
4th-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V
Duration
8 hours
Classes
Cleric

A large spectral guardian appears and hovers for the duration in an unoccupied space of your choice that you can see within range. The guardian occupies that space and is indistinct except for a gleaming sword and shield emblazoned with the symbol of your deity.

Any creature hostile to you that moves to a space within 10 feet of the guardian for the first time on a turn must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 20 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The guardian vanishes when it has delat a total of 60 damage.

Guardian of Faith 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Any enemy can trigger it now, not just creatures hostile to you, and it also triggers when a creature starts its turn in the area, not only when it moves there. The guardian is now invulnerable, so it can’t be damaged away before it has dealt 60 damage.

Guardian of Faith popularity

Guardian of Faith is a seldom chosen level 4 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Guardian of Faith

  • Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound 4th-level conjuration

    It creates a persistent conjured guardian that watches an area for intruders and lasts for eight hours, matching the summoned, long‑duration zoning feel.

  • Cordon of Arrows 2nd-level transmutation

    Like Guardian of Faith, this spell sets a long‑lasting trap that deals damage when foes enter a space, functioning as a passive area deterrent.

  • Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration

    Both are cleric conjurations that create an area which damages enemies that start their turns there, offering sustained radiant area damage.

  • Glyph of Warding 3rd-level abjuration

    This spell produces a placed, persistent effect that triggers and deals damage when creatures enter or trigger the area, similar to a stationary defender.

  • Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration

    It summons a mobile conjured orb that creates ongoing area damage and shapes the battlefield over multiple rounds, like a persistent damaging guardian.