Spiritual Weapon

A
Damage

Spiritual Weapon is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that conjures a spectral weapon to strike foes now and again as a
bonus action

Spiritual Weapon is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

See all Action Economy spells →
.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Cleric

You create a floating, spectral force that resembles a weapon of your choice and lasts for the duration.

The force appears within range in a space of your choice, and you can immediately make one melee spell attack against one creature within 5 feet of the force. On a hit, the target takes Force damage equal to 1d8 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.

As a Bonus Action on your later turns, you can move the force up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for every slot level above 2.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
1 minute
Classes
Cleric

You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. On a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier.

As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the weapon up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.

The weapon can take whatever form you choose. Clerics of deities who are associated with a particular weapon (as St. Cuthbert is known for his mace and Thor for his hammer) make this spell's effect resemble that weapon.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for every two slot levels above 2nd.

Spiritual Weapon 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Now requires Concentration. Its upcasting is stronger: the damage increases by 1d8 for every slot level above 2nd, instead of every two slot levels above 2nd.

Spiritual Weapon popularity

Spiritual Weapon is a commonly chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Spiritual Weapon

  • Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration

    Both conjure a persistent, mobile threat you control each round and require concentration while dealing damage over multiple turns.

  • Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound 4th-level conjuration

    It summons a spectral guardian that autonomously threatens and damages foes, echoing the idea of a summoned force fighting for you.

  • Mordenkainen's Sword 7th-level evocation

    This spell creates a magical weapon-like entity that attacks on your behalf and scales with slot level, much like the themed summoned weapon.

  • Bigby's Hand 5th-level evocation

    A summoned, forceful construct that you position and use for tactical effects, sharing the concept of a long‑lasting evoked force under your control.

  • Witch Bolt 1st-level evocation

    Although it’s a sustained beam rather than a summoned object, it provides single-target, repeatable damage each turn while you maintain concentration.

Spiritual Weapon is featured in