Spiritual Weapon
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Bonus action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Cleric
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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
How popular is Spiritual Weapon in 5e?
Spiritual Weapon is the #15 most popular level 2 spell (of 96) and the #1 most picked level 2 Cleric spell (of 20).
Among level 2 spells, Spiritual Weapon ranks just below Augury and just above Pass without Trace in popularity.
- #90 (of 567) most popular 5e spell
- #15 (of 96) most popular level 2 spell
- #1 (of 20) most picked level 2 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Spiritual Weapon
Moonbeam 2nd-level evocation
It deals repeatable damage from a movable magical presence, rewarding careful positioning throughout the fight.
Players prefer Moonbeam over Spiritual Weapon
Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration
This is another cleric concentration spell that provides sustained combat damage rather than a single burst.
Players prefer Spirit Guardians over Spiritual Weapon
Guardian of Faith 4th-level conjuration
Both cleric spells establish a lasting supernatural defender that threatens enemies within a limited area.
Players prefer Guardian of Faith over Spiritual Weapon
Flame Blade 2nd-level evocation
Both are 2nd-level concentration spells that conjure a magical weapon for repeated attacks over several rounds.
Players prefer Spiritual Weapon over Flame Blade
Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration
Like Spiritual Weapon, it creates a lasting magical object that can be repositioned and used for recurring damage with bonus actions.
Players prefer Spiritual Weapon over Flaming Sphere
Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound 4th-level conjuration
A persistent summoned magical guardian attacks enemies near its position and remains useful after the initial casting.
Players prefer Spiritual Weapon over Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound