Going to hit level 9 soon and not sure what would be good for my 5th level spell. Am leaning towards greater restoration but figured I would prepare at least one other so I have flexibility for the one spell slot.
Any suggestions as I have no experience with any of these spells
The nice thing about druids and clerics is they can swap out their entire spell list every long rest. Experiment with different spells! The only one that I’ve ever used is Conjure Elemental and it is a great spell as long as you have a minute to cast it.
Well, speaking as a cleric, Greater Restoration is absolutely essential. It's the go-to spell for dang near any problem. It's like the ibuprofen of spells.
Aside from that, it depends on what you think you'll have to deal with each day. "Wall of Stone" lets you shape the battlefield and provide cover from enemies, but can also be used to form a bridge to cross a 100 foot wide chasm. "Conjure Elemental" is a huge combat boost, not only bringing in another damage dealer, but also providing the enemy one more target, thus reducing per-round damage to the party. "Scrying" is a key intel-gathering spell. "Tree stride" is a great escape route, if you're in a forested area. "Control Winds" is great for battlefield control, especially against ranged attackers. Plus, if you're on a ship at sea you can really give it a speed boost for an hour. "Transmute Rock" can create difficult terrain for your pursuers, and can be used offensively in a dungeon by turning the ceiling above your enemy into mud.
Druids have a great list of spells to choose from, which can be used in a lot of creative ways. The question will be something you'll have to grapple with on a day-to-day basis, figuring what specific challenges you're most likely to face that day.
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Tayn of Darkwood. Lvl 10 human Life Cleric of Lathander. Retired.
Ikram Sahir ibn Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad, Second Son of the House of Ra'ad, Defender of the Burning Sands. Lvl 9 Brass Dragonborn Sorcerer + Greater Fire Elemental Devil.
Viktor Gavriil. Lvl 20 White Dragonborn Grave Cleric, of Kurgan the God of Death.
If your party is adventuring underground, Transmute Rock is a must-have. It's a great way to do damage or to slow down enemies. And though I largely agree with Tayn's suggestions, Conjure Elemental can become dangerous to the party unless you take proper precautions and/or speak Primordial and have a reasonable CHA stat. Elementals generally dislike being summoned and if you lose concentration, that means trouble. Also keep Anti-Life Shell in mind. Being able to hedge out the vast majority of melee attackers can be enormously beneficial with certain Druid sub-classes.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I had been thinking of Maelstrom for control and damage. It’s difficult terrain and if they fail the save get pulled toward the center making them have to move that much further.
I worry about conjure elemental because if the possibility of losing concentration.
Wall of stone I was seriously considering but don’t like the idea of the save that allows them to possibly escape but still is a good spell.
And Control winds I had been considering for dealing with ranged attacks but seems more situational right now.
Question on antilife shell, can you push a creature by moving towards it or will that just force them through the barrier and end the spell? Wasn’t sure if it worked that way or only keeps you from pinning someone against a wall.
Question on antilife shell, can you push a creature by moving towards it or will that just force them through the barrier and end the spell? Wasn’t sure if it worked that way or only keeps you from pinning someone against a wall.
Per the text, Antilife Shell cannot be used to force another creature to go through the barrier. What would cause "passing through" is subject to DM interpretation. Positioining someone against a wall using Antilife Shell could be one of those.
And keep in mind you don't HAVE to prepare just a single 5th-level spell each day. Yes, you can only cast one at Level 9 but you can always carry a couple of options so that you're ready for different situations. Probably not worth carrying more than two, I'd say probably Greater Restoration for emergencies(make sure you've got the M component handy!) and one other. Yes, it means one less spell you can use from your other levels, but that's always part of the decision process for divine casters. Tim's right, try stuff out and see what suits you best, you can always try something different the next day :)
I think a lot of it is based on the flavor you're adding into your character. My druid is super happy, positive and always eager to help, but not a great deal of use in heavy combat situations, except for summoning. I went with Awaken, entirely based on the fact I want a sentient plant to call my own. I also went with Conjure Elemental for those moments when you're lucky enough to know they're coming up. Thankfully, due to my circle, I got Passwall (An AMAZING spell), and Wall of Stone for nothing.
I think a lot of it is based on the flavor you're adding into your character. My druid is super happy, positive and always eager to help, but not a great deal of use in heavy combat situations, except for summoning. I went with Awaken, entirely based on the fact I want a sentient plant to call my own. I also went with Conjure Elemental for those moments when you're lucky enough to know they're coming up. Thankfully, due to my circle, I got Passwall (An AMAZING spell), and Wall of Stone for nothing.
A fellow Mountain druid. Very nice!
I did my first conjure elemental this weekend, and it saved my party's butt. It did get dicey when I had to make a CON save against an area affect that would have put me unconscious. Was basically a 50/50 shot at TPK because the things Chunk was holding off were nasty, and if he turned on us it probably would have gone south real fast. My concentration saves are solid (+3, warcaster, and i'm usually next to a paladin). But warcaster won't help if a spell puts you to sleep.
You can always upcast conjure animals to get double the number for a 5th level slot and not worry about them turning on you. Plus you don't have to spend a minute casting, and you can prepare another 5th lvl spell.
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Going to hit level 9 soon and not sure what would be good for my 5th level spell. Am leaning towards greater restoration but figured I would prepare at least one other so I have flexibility for the one spell slot.
Any suggestions as I have no experience with any of these spells
The nice thing about druids and clerics is they can swap out their entire spell list every long rest. Experiment with different spells! The only one that I’ve ever used is Conjure Elemental and it is a great spell as long as you have a minute to cast it.
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Well, speaking as a cleric, Greater Restoration is absolutely essential. It's the go-to spell for dang near any problem. It's like the ibuprofen of spells.
Aside from that, it depends on what you think you'll have to deal with each day. "Wall of Stone" lets you shape the battlefield and provide cover from enemies, but can also be used to form a bridge to cross a 100 foot wide chasm. "Conjure Elemental" is a huge combat boost, not only bringing in another damage dealer, but also providing the enemy one more target, thus reducing per-round damage to the party. "Scrying" is a key intel-gathering spell. "Tree stride" is a great escape route, if you're in a forested area. "Control Winds" is great for battlefield control, especially against ranged attackers. Plus, if you're on a ship at sea you can really give it a speed boost for an hour. "Transmute Rock" can create difficult terrain for your pursuers, and can be used offensively in a dungeon by turning the ceiling above your enemy into mud.
Druids have a great list of spells to choose from, which can be used in a lot of creative ways. The question will be something you'll have to grapple with on a day-to-day basis, figuring what specific challenges you're most likely to face that day.
Tayn of Darkwood. Lvl 10 human Life Cleric of Lathander. Retired.
Ikram Sahir ibn Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad, Second Son of the House of Ra'ad, Defender of the Burning Sands. Lvl 9 Brass Dragonborn Sorcerer + Greater Fire Elemental Devil.
Viktor Gavriil. Lvl 20 White Dragonborn Grave Cleric, of Kurgan the God of Death.
Anzio Faro. Lvl 5 Prot. Aasimar Light Cleric.
If your party is adventuring underground, Transmute Rock is a must-have. It's a great way to do damage or to slow down enemies. And though I largely agree with Tayn's suggestions, Conjure Elemental can become dangerous to the party unless you take proper precautions and/or speak Primordial and have a reasonable CHA stat. Elementals generally dislike being summoned and if you lose concentration, that means trouble. Also keep Anti-Life Shell in mind. Being able to hedge out the vast majority of melee attackers can be enormously beneficial with certain Druid sub-classes.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I had been thinking of Maelstrom for control and damage. It’s difficult terrain and if they fail the save get pulled toward the center making them have to move that much further.
I worry about conjure elemental because if the possibility of losing concentration.
Wall of stone I was seriously considering but don’t like the idea of the save that allows them to possibly escape but still is a good spell.
And Control winds I had been considering for dealing with ranged attacks but seems more situational right now.
Question on antilife shell, can you push a creature by moving towards it or will that just force them through the barrier and end the spell? Wasn’t sure if it worked that way or only keeps you from pinning someone against a wall.
Will keep Transmute Rock in mind as well.
Per the text, Antilife Shell cannot be used to force another creature to go through the barrier. What would cause "passing through" is subject to DM interpretation. Positioining someone against a wall using Antilife Shell could be one of those.
Wrath of Nature can be hilarious, especially if you spend a lot of time in forests.
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.
And keep in mind you don't HAVE to prepare just a single 5th-level spell each day. Yes, you can only cast one at Level 9 but you can always carry a couple of options so that you're ready for different situations. Probably not worth carrying more than two, I'd say probably Greater Restoration for emergencies(make sure you've got the M component handy!) and one other. Yes, it means one less spell you can use from your other levels, but that's always part of the decision process for divine casters. Tim's right, try stuff out and see what suits you best, you can always try something different the next day :)
I think a lot of it is based on the flavor you're adding into your character. My druid is super happy, positive and always eager to help, but not a great deal of use in heavy combat situations, except for summoning. I went with Awaken, entirely based on the fact I want a sentient plant to call my own. I also went with Conjure Elemental for those moments when you're lucky enough to know they're coming up. Thankfully, due to my circle, I got Passwall (An AMAZING spell), and Wall of Stone for nothing.
A fellow Mountain druid. Very nice!
I did my first conjure elemental this weekend, and it saved my party's butt. It did get dicey when I had to make a CON save against an area affect that would have put me unconscious. Was basically a 50/50 shot at TPK because the things Chunk was holding off were nasty, and if he turned on us it probably would have gone south real fast. My concentration saves are solid (+3, warcaster, and i'm usually next to a paladin). But warcaster won't help if a spell puts you to sleep.
You can always upcast conjure animals to get double the number for a 5th level slot and not worry about them turning on you. Plus you don't have to spend a minute casting, and you can prepare another 5th lvl spell.