Level
7th
Casting Time
1 Action
Range/Area
90 ft
Components
V, S, M *
Duration
Concentration
1 Minute
School
Evocation
Attack/Save
Melee
Damage/Effect
Force
You create a spectral sword that hovers within range. It lasts for the duration.
When the sword appears, you make a melee spell attack against a target within 5 feet of the sword. On a hit, the target takes Force damage equal to 4d12 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.
On your later turns, you can take a Bonus Action to move the sword up to 30 feet to a spot you can see and repeat the attack against the same target or a different one.
* - (a miniature sword worth 250+ GP)
On the one hand it can’t be destroyed like Arcand Hand and has been improved since last time. On the other, still doesn’t do as much damage as Arcane Hand.
Edit: Pun not intended.
Bigby's Hand (5th level): 5d8 + X, for an average of 22 + X Force damage. OR 7th level upcast: 9d8 + X, for an average of 40 + X Force damage.
Mordenkainen's Sword (7th level): 4d12 + X, for an average of 26 + X Force damage.
X = Spellcasting ability modifier
Base level vs base level, Mordenkainen's Sword does slightly more damage. But Bigby's Hand does better when upcast.
It's kind of funny how, despite this being mostly buffed and spiritual weapon being notably nerfed, an upcasted spiritual weapon is still better.
Especially with the subtle nerf they put in it where you can no longer attack twice with it on your first turn.