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Enlarge Reduce

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Enlarge Reduce
  • Level: 2
  • School: Transmutation
  • Class: Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: 30 feet
  • Components: V, S, M (a pinch of powdered iron)
  • Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

For the duration, the spell enlarges or reduces a creature or an object you can see within range (see the chosen effect below). A targeted object must be neither worn nor carried. If the target is an unwilling creature, it can make a Constitution saving throw. On a successful save, the spell has no effect.

Everything that a targeted creature is wearing and carrying changes size with it. Any item it drops returns to normal size at once. A thrown weapon or piece of ammunition returns to normal size immediately after it hits or misses a target.

Enlarge. The target's size increases by one category-from Medium to Large, for example. The target also has Advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws. The target's attacks with its enlarged weapons or Unarmed Strikes deal an extra 1d4 damage on a hit.

Reduce. The target's size decreases by one category-from Medium to Small, for example. The target also has Disadvantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws. The target's attacks with its reduced weapons or Unarmed Strikes deal 1d4 less damage on a hit (this can't reduce the damage below 1).

Tactical Usage​

Size Manipulation: Enlarge/Reduce provides versatile size alteration for tactical and utility advantages. This 2nd-level transmutation spell excels at battlefield control and problem-solving through size changes.

Optimal Timing: Cast to improve ally combat effectiveness, reduce enemy threat, solve size-based puzzles, or gain tactical positioning advantages.

Resource Management: Uses a 2nd-level spell slot - available from character level 3+. 1-minute concentration provides substantial size alteration duration.

Target Selection: Single creature or object within 30 feet. Unwilling creatures get Constitution save.

Spell Combinations​

Synergistic Spells:

  • Enhancement Magic: Combine with enhance ability for comprehensive character improvement
  • Positioning Magic: Layer with misty step for improved tactical mobility
  • Control Magic: Pair with hold spells to guarantee size alteration success

Class Feature Interactions:

  • Great Weapon Fighting: Enlarged weapons benefit from fighting style features
  • Reckless Attack: Barbarian features work well with enlarged size advantages
  • Sneak Attack: Reduced size can improve stealth for rogues

Multi-Caster Coordination: Multiple size alterations can create complex tactical scenarios.

Material Component Details​

Component Acquisition: Powdered iron for enlarge, pinch of powdered iron for reduce.

Component Handling: Iron powder represents transformation energy and size alteration magic.

Roleplay Opportunities: Different size manifestations reflect magical traditions or personal transformation aesthetics.

Economic Considerations: Minimal component costs for significant tactical advantages.

Creator Notes​

Encounter Balancing: Size changes affect damage, reach, stealth, and environmental interaction significantly.

NPC Usage: Support casters might enlarge allies or reduce threats for tactical advantage.

Environmental Considerations: Size changes interact with environmental constraints and spatial limitations.

Campaign Integration: Excellent utility magic for campaigns emphasizing tactical positioning and creative problem-solving.

Environmental Interactions​

Terrain Effects: Size changes affect movement through terrain, doorways, and environmental obstacles.

Weather Influence: Enlarged creatures have different weather exposure, reduced creatures gain more shelter.

Structural Interactions: Size affects ability to fit through spaces, use equipment, and interact with structures.

Elemental Interactions: Size changes affect interaction with elemental hazards and environmental effects.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Timing Questions: Action casting time with 1-minute concentration. Size change takes effect immediately.

Target Limitations: Single creature or object within 30 feet. Unwilling creatures get Constitution save.

Duration Interactions: Concentration required. Size returns to normal when spell ends.

Mechanical Interactions: Enlarge grants advantage on Strength, +1d4 weapon damage. Reduce grants disadvantage on Strength, -1d4 weapon damage.

Alternative Applications​

Non-Combat Uses: Puzzle solving, transportation assistance, equipment modification, or environmental navigation.

Social Encounters: Intimidation through size, stealth improvement, or demonstrating magical capabilities.

Exploration Applications: Accessing different-sized spaces, equipment adaptation, or environmental problem-solving.

Utility Functions: Size-based problem solving, equipment modification, space navigation, or transformation utility.

Same School: Other transmutation spells like alter self (2nd level form change), enhance ability (2nd level ability enhancement), polymorph (4th level creature transformation).

Similar Effects: alter self (2nd level form change), polymorph (4th level creature change), true polymorph (9th level permanent transformation).

Progression Options: enlarge/reduce (2nd level size change), polymorph (4th level creature transformation), true polymorph (9th level ultimate transformation).

Complementary Magic: enhance ability (ability improvement), haste (speed enhancement), spider climb (movement options).

Scaling Analysis​

Level Progression: Remains valuable throughout campaigns for tactical positioning and utility problem-solving.

Upcast Benefits: No improvement from higher spell slots, making this a pure 2nd-level tactical investment.

Campaign Phases: Valuable across all levels for tactical advantages and creative problem-solving.

Comparative Value: Excellent utility magic that provides versatile tactical and problem-solving capabilities.

Narrative Flavor​

Casting Description: Magical energy flows around the target as transmutation magic alters their fundamental size and mass proportions.

Effect Manifestation: The target grows to double size or shrinks to half size, with all equipment scaling appropriately.

Personal Style: Wizards use precise mathematical scaling, while sorcerers manifest intuitive size transformation through magical will.

World Integration: Represents size alteration magic available to transmutation specialists, often associated with tactical magic, utility spellcasting, or transformation traditions.