Silvery Barbs
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Reaction, which you take when a creature you can see within 60 feet of yourself succeeds on an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
You magically distract the triggering creature and turn its momentary uncertainty into encouragement for another creature. The triggering creature must reroll the d20 and use the lower roll.
You can then choose a different creature you can see within range (you can choose yourself). The chosen creature has advantage on the next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw it makes within 1 minute. A creature can be empowered by only one use of this spell at a time.
Silvery Barbs 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Silvery Barbs is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Silvery Barbs popularity
How popular is Silvery Barbs? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 1 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% of all level 1 spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 1 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 1 Bard spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Silvery Barbs
Counterspell 3rd-level abjuration
Both are reaction-speed spells that interrupt an enemy’s moment and can completely swing a critical roll.
Players prefer Counterspell over Silvery Barbs
Bless 1st-level enchantment
This spell mirrors the other half of the effect by helping allies land key attacks and saves.
Players prefer Bless over Silvery Barbs
Shield 1st-level abjuration
Like Silvery Barbs, it’s a low-level reaction that changes the outcome of a dangerous attack right away.
Players prefer Shield over Silvery Barbs
Bane 1st-level enchantment
It weakens enemy rolls in a similar way, though over a longer fight instead of as an instant reaction.
Players prefer Bane over Silvery Barbs
Absorb Elements 1st-level abjuration
It’s another defensive reaction that turns a hostile trigger into a more favorable result for you.
Players prefer Absorb Elements over Silvery Barbs