Mordenkainen's Sword

Damage Action Economy

Level & School
7th-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a miniature sword worth 250+ GP)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Wizard

You create a spectral sword that hovers within range. It lasts for the duration.

When the sword appears, you make a melee spell attack against a target within 5 feet of the sword. On a hit, the target takes Force damage equal to 4d12 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.

On your later turns, you can take a Bonus Action to move the sword up to 30 feet to a spot you can see and repeat the attack against the same target or a different one.

Level & School
7th-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a miniature platinum sword with a grip and pommel of copper and zinc, worth 250 gp)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Wizard

You create a sword-shaped plane of force that hovers within range. It lasts for the duration.

When the sword appears, you make a melee spell attack against a target of your choice within 5 feet of the sword. On a hit, the target takes 3d10 force damage. Until the spell ends, you can use a bonus action on each of your turns to move the sword up to 20 feet to a spot you can see and repeat this attack against the same target or a different one.

Mordenkainen's Sword 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version increases range from 60 to 90 feet, changes duration to "up to 1 minute," raises damage from 3d10 to 4d12 plus spellcasting modifier, and allows moving the sword up to 30 feet with a Bonus Action, compared to 20 feet in 2014. The attack target is within 5 feet of the sword in both.

Spells similar to Mordenkainen's Sword

  • Spiritual Weapon, 2nd-level evocation

    It creates a spectral weapon that makes a recurring attack you direct each round and deals force damage, matching the same summoned-weapon archetype.

  • Flaming Sphere, 2nd-level conjuration

    You conjure a mobile damaging object that you move with a bonus action to hit enemies repeatedly over multiple rounds, like maneuvering a sword.

  • Bigby's Hand, 5th-level evocation

    This spell summons a magical construct at range that persists for a minute and can be moved to push or strike targets, sharing the long-duration, tactical-placement feel.

  • Witch Bolt, 1st-level evocation

    Although ranged and single-target, it creates a sustained link that deals repeated damage each round while you concentrate, echoing the persistent, ongoing-damage design.

  • Animate Objects, 5th-level transmutation

    It animates physical items to make attacks for you over a short duration, using summoned pieces of the battlefield to dish out damage on a repeating basis.