So in the recent 2024 Errata, WotC did great work, and I want to thank them for it. I don't mean to be all negative. Here's a link to it for reference.
WotC seems to be in a bubble where they don't actually understand how the game plays at higher level. Conjure Minor Elementals was way too powerful relative to other options at high level, and it was obvious to hundreds of experienced players as soon as we laid eyes on it. How did this make it through to being published?
And now that they finally give it the nerf that it needs to bring it down to where it should be... they bring along two other random spells that weren't problematic at all?! Do they even understand what the problem was? The most ridiculous inclusion in the nerf list is Conjure Elemental, which sadly went from a standard spell in many a caster's 2014 repertoire to an absolute trap in 2024. It needed errata to be weaker like I need a hole in the head.
WotC... my friends... just reach out. Just check with us. We are here for you.
I must admit I lack confidence in Wizards of the Coast’s numerical balancing. I often question whether their designers have firsthand experience with high-level play.
Ya the conjure Elemental nerf seems unwarranted since it can't move and has a very limited range especially since you have to conjure it in an unoccupied space. It wasn't useful in high level play anyway since it's basically a single target save or suck and high cr monsters almost always have legendary resistances. I guess you can use it to draw those out since it's concentration but since the elemental can't move you only reliably force one save.
The conjure fey nerf makes it in line with Mordenkainen's sword, but it makes no sense to nerf conjure fey and not Bigby's hand. If they were trying to make those type of spells more uniform then they definitely failed that assignment. Bigby's hand is by far the best damage dealer of those spells now. Mordenkainen's sword is still just a waste of 250 gold and a preparation slot while Conjure fey is now weaker. Conjure fey is still useful for the frighten on hit, but a fair amount of higher cr monsters are immune to the frightened condition. Dragons notably are not immune though.
I thought something was wrong because I noticed the spell didn't mention what the elemental's move speed was. I am slowly realizing that this might be intended. A 5th level spell with a 5 ft. radius AOE...that can only target one creature at a time?
I thought something was wrong because I noticed the spell didn't mention what the elemental's move speed was. I am slowly realizing that this might be intended. A 5th level spell with a 5 ft. radius AOE...that can only target one creature at a time?
You conjure a Large, intangible spirit from the Elemental Planes that appears in an unoccupied space within range. Choose the spirit’s element, which determines its damage type: air (Lightning), earth (Thunder), fire (Fire), or water (Cold). The spirit lasts for the duration.
Whenever a creature you can see enters the spirit’s space or starts its turn within 5 feet of the spirit, you can force that creature to make a Dexterity saving throw if the spirit has no creature Restrained. On failed save, the target takes 8d8 damage of the spirit’s type, and the target has the Restrained condition until the spell ends. At the start of each of its turns, the Restrained target repeats the save. On a failed save, the target takes 4d8 damage of the spirit’s type. On a successful save, the target isn’t Restrained by the spirit.
If so, the affected area should be something like this when playing on a grid, including that green circle. So "Whenever a creature you can see enters the spirit's space or starts its turn within 5 feet of the spirit", that creature would be affected:
So in the recent 2024 Errata, WotC did great work, and I want to thank them for it. I don't mean to be all negative. Here's a link to it for reference.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/changelog#2024CoreRulesErrata
That said... let's get to the negative part.
WotC seems to be in a bubble where they don't actually understand how the game plays at higher level. Conjure Minor Elementals was way too powerful relative to other options at high level, and it was obvious to hundreds of experienced players as soon as we laid eyes on it. How did this make it through to being published?
And now that they finally give it the nerf that it needs to bring it down to where it should be... they bring along two other random spells that weren't problematic at all?! Do they even understand what the problem was? The most ridiculous inclusion in the nerf list is Conjure Elemental, which sadly went from a standard spell in many a caster's 2014 repertoire to an absolute trap in 2024. It needed errata to be weaker like I need a hole in the head.
WotC... my friends... just reach out. Just check with us. We are here for you.
I must admit I lack confidence in Wizards of the Coast’s numerical balancing. I often question whether their designers have firsthand experience with high-level play.
Ya the conjure Elemental nerf seems unwarranted since it can't move and has a very limited range especially since you have to conjure it in an unoccupied space. It wasn't useful in high level play anyway since it's basically a single target save or suck and high cr monsters almost always have legendary resistances. I guess you can use it to draw those out since it's concentration but since the elemental can't move you only reliably force one save.
The conjure fey nerf makes it in line with Mordenkainen's sword, but it makes no sense to nerf conjure fey and not Bigby's hand. If they were trying to make those type of spells more uniform then they definitely failed that assignment. Bigby's hand is by far the best damage dealer of those spells now. Mordenkainen's sword is still just a waste of 250 gold and a preparation slot while Conjure fey is now weaker. Conjure fey is still useful for the frighten on hit, but a fair amount of higher cr monsters are immune to the frightened condition. Dragons notably are not immune though.
Didnt need to be erratead?
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/d-d-beyond-feedback/205680-new-broken-spells-needing-errata
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/tips-tactics/203675-conjure-minor-elementals
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/rules-game-mechanics/209447-conjure-minor-elementals-up-to-12d8-per-attack
Just a few threads talking about how broken the spell was. not to mention the numourus youtube videos saying how broken it was.
The problem with alot of mechanics only comes into play when you multiclass. Multiclassing is the issue, not the abilities themselves in most cases.
You mixed up Conjure Elemental with Conjure Minor Elementals
I thought something was wrong because I noticed the spell didn't mention what the elemental's move speed was. I am slowly realizing that this might be intended. A 5th level spell with a 5 ft. radius AOE...that can only target one creature at a time?
You mean in the case of Conjure Elemental, right?
If so, the affected area should be something like this when playing on a grid, including that green circle. So "Whenever a creature you can see enters the spirit's space or starts its turn within 5 feet of the spirit", that creature would be affected:
Well, to be fair, what I said about "including that green circle" was debated for a similar spell:
- Conjure Animals 2024
- Does Conjure Animals (2024) act like Spike Growth or like Spirit Guardians? (reply #23)