Mordenkainen's Sword
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 7th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 90 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a miniature sword worth 250+ GP)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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.
2014 Rules
- 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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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
Mordenkainen's Sword popularity
How popular is Mordenkainen's Sword? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Top 50% picked level 7 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% of all level 7 spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 7 Bard spell
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Mordenkainen's Sword
Spiritual Weapon 2nd-level evocation
A hovering weapon makes attacks from a distance and can be repositioned and used again with bonus actions, though it is much lower level.
Players prefer Spiritual Weapon over Mordenkainen's Sword
Bigby's Hand 5th-level evocation
Wizards and bards can use this comparable evocation to maintain a visible magical construct that deals recurring damage while consuming later bonus actions.
Players prefer Bigby's Hand over Mordenkainen's Sword
Cloud of Daggers 2nd-level conjuration
Each spell creates a lasting magical weapon effect at range that repeatedly damages creatures while concentration is maintained.
Players prefer Cloud of Daggers over Mordenkainen's Sword
Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration
Both sustain a movable magical object for up to a minute and use later bonus actions to reposition it and continue attacking.
Players prefer Mordenkainen's Sword over Flaming Sphere
Crown of Stars 7th-level evocation
Both are 7th-level evocations that create a persistent magical weapon or projectile source, letting you deal damage with bonus actions over multiple rounds.
Players prefer Mordenkainen's Sword over Crown of Stars
Blade of Disaster 9th-level conjuration
This higher-level spell most closely mirrors the spectral weapon concept, force damage, concentration, and repeated attacks powered by bonus actions.
Players prefer Mordenkainen's Sword over Blade of Disaster