special thanks to IamSposta as they wrote what is largely the wording I ended up using for this version of the spell

Idk how to mention profiles here so I am just linking their profile haha https://www.dndbeyond.com/members/IamSposta

I’m happy to help. I even got some suggestions to improve the wording for ya:

A wave of pure pain erupts from your hand, overwhelming the pain receptors of any creature it comes in contact with. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Constitution saving throw. On a successful save the creature is unaffected. On a failed save the creature can’t take reactions until the end of your next turn, and if it was concentrating it must succeed make a Concentration check against your spell save DC if or lose concentration. If the saving throw fails by 2 or more the creature also suffers the following effects:

• If the saving throw fails by 2 or more, the creature also has it's speed halved, it has disadvantage on attack rolls, and if it tries to cast a spell, it must first succeed on a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC or the casting fails and the spell is wasted.
• If the saving throw fails by 4 or more, the creature also falls prone and its concentration is broken.
• If the saving throw fails by 6 or more, the creature is also incapacitated until the end of your next turn.
• If the saving throw fails by 8 or more, the creature is also stunned until the end of your next turn.
• If the saving throw fails by 10 or more, the creature also falls unconscious for 1d10 minutes.

Creatures unable to feel pain (such as most Undead and Constructs) aren't affected by this spell.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, for each slot level above 3rd chose one of the following:

• The save DC for this spell increases by 1.
• The area of effect for this spell increases by 10 feet.

They’re minor changes, but they do aid in clarity.

thank you!

the only change I'm detecting is on the order of the reaction/concentration bit on the first effect, which I agree is better I'll see bout adding it on then next version of the spell, tho I'll probs be waiting till I have a better graps on how to balace it mechanically till I make the next version as there arent any glaring mistakes or super unclear parts that I can see atm

I also changed “make a Concentration check” to “succeed at a Concentration check” and I put the “if it is concentrating” part in front of the check so it flows better. Basically that whole sentence got rejiggered.