It bears repeating: (PSA if you don't know) in 2024, Witch Bolt is just great. May be the most fun we've had with a level 1 spell in ages. Not just because of the damage buff, the tether mechanic creates this cool little mini game in combat. "Can my monster break the PCs tether."
Sure, spend a Luck point to help land the hit… but even if missed, it still gets that bonus action 1d12. Level 1 spell btw
It doesn’t feel overpowered, just engaging. We had a great fight in Dungeon of the Dead Three last week where it became a big tactical moment (against Flennis if you know the NPC). Now I’m thinking about designing a class of custom enemies around it.
Anyone else playing with it? Any creative builds or weird uses I should know about?
...the tether mechanic creates this cool little mini game in combat. "Can my monster break the PCs tether."
What does this mean? What is the tether/mini game you are describing? My confusion might be a language issue.
My magic inexperience might be showing, but it just seems to be nothing more then a way to get 2 attacks at low levels starting the 2nd turn. Once by the action part, and a 2nd via the concentration during the BA.
What am I missing? How do you build a sub class around this?
I'm guessing they're referring to the need to get 60'+ from the caster or get behind total cover to break the connection. Probably easier to just break their concentration though.
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It’s a lovely little spell but yes the ‘24 version is a bit over powered. In the ‘14 version you did 1d12 to the target if you hit and could then do an additional 1d12 damage to that target each round without making another attack action as the first had stablished a link. If the first missed that was it. In the ‘24 version the initial attack does 2d12 and even if it misses you do 1d12 to the target as a bonus action each following round. Personally I suspect there is a typo there that will get fixed in an update.
It’s a lovely little spell but yes the ‘24 version is a bit over powered. In the ‘14 version you did 1d12 to the target if you hit and could then do an additional 1d12 damage to that target each round without making another attack action as the first had stablished a link. If the first missed that was it. In the ‘24 version the initial attack does 2d12 and even if it misses you do 1d12 to the target as a bonus action each following round. Personally I suspect there is a typo there that will get fixed in an update.
I really don't think that the presence of the entire phrase "even if the first attacked missed" is a typo.
Considering that the original version of the spell regularly showed up on lists of the most useless spells in 5E, I think the wording of the 2024 version is 100% intentional.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I don’t get why people think it’s overpowered. A d12 with no modifiers, so 6.5 damage, as a bonus action. But first you cast it, maybe you hit or you miss, but either way, you can’t use the BA that turn, you’re waiting until your next turn to do it. There’s a very good chance the target will be dead before you can activate it even once, using it twice would be even more rare. And that’s assuming the target doesn’t find some corner to go around and just end it.
It’s fine and way better than the ‘14 version which was about useless. But its not overpowered.
And that’s assuming the target doesn’t find some corner to go around and just end it.
Or just whack you hard enough to drop your concentration on it.
I think sometimes people see any source of damage that just automatically happens and assume it must be a mistake or "overpowered" without really thinking it through.
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It bears repeating: (PSA if you don't know) in 2024, Witch Bolt is just great. May be the most fun we've had with a level 1 spell in ages. Not just because of the damage buff, the tether mechanic creates this cool little mini game in combat. "Can my monster break the PCs tether."
Sure, spend a Luck point to help land the hit… but even if missed, it still gets that bonus action 1d12. Level 1 spell btw
It doesn’t feel overpowered, just engaging. We had a great fight in Dungeon of the Dead Three last week where it became a big tactical moment (against Flennis if you know the NPC). Now I’m thinking about designing a class of custom enemies around it.
Anyone else playing with it? Any creative builds or weird uses I should know about?
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What on earth is with the title of this post?
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It's a spell that lets you deal automatic damage with a BA over several turns. Even if you miss.
Of course it's overpowered, and deliberately so.
...the tether mechanic creates this cool little mini game in combat. "Can my monster break the PCs tether."
What does this mean? What is the tether/mini game you are describing? My confusion might be a language issue.
My magic inexperience might be showing, but it just seems to be nothing more then a way to get 2 attacks at low levels starting the 2nd turn. Once by the action part, and a 2nd via the concentration during the BA.
What am I missing? How do you build a sub class around this?
I'm guessing they're referring to the need to get 60'+ from the caster or get behind total cover to break the connection. Probably easier to just break their concentration though.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
It’s a lovely little spell but yes the ‘24 version is a bit over powered. In the ‘14 version you did 1d12 to the target if you hit and could then do an additional 1d12 damage to that target each round without making another attack action as the first had stablished a link. If the first missed that was it. In the ‘24 version the initial attack does 2d12 and even if it misses you do 1d12 to the target as a bonus action each following round. Personally I suspect there is a typo there that will get fixed in an update.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
I really don't think that the presence of the entire phrase "even if the first attacked missed" is a typo.
pronouns: he/she/they
Considering that the original version of the spell regularly showed up on lists of the most useless spells in 5E, I think the wording of the 2024 version is 100% intentional.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I don’t get why people think it’s overpowered. A d12 with no modifiers, so 6.5 damage, as a bonus action. But first you cast it, maybe you hit or you miss, but either way, you can’t use the BA that turn, you’re waiting until your next turn to do it. There’s a very good chance the target will be dead before you can activate it even once, using it twice would be even more rare. And that’s assuming the target doesn’t find some corner to go around and just end it.
It’s fine and way better than the ‘14 version which was about useless. But its not overpowered.
Or just whack you hard enough to drop your concentration on it.
I think sometimes people see any source of damage that just automatically happens and assume it must be a mistake or "overpowered" without really thinking it through.
pronouns: he/she/they