Magic Weapon

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• Level: 2
• School: Transmutation
• Class: Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: Bonus Action
• Range: Touch
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 1 hour

You touch a nonmagical weapon. Until the spell ends, that weapon becomes a magic weapon with a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls. The spell ends early if you cast it again.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The bonus increases to +2 with a level 3-5 spell slot. The bonus increases to +3 with a level 6+ spell slot.

Tactical Usage

Magic Weapon provides essential battlefield support by transforming mundane weapons into magical implements, crucial for overcoming resistance to nonmagical attacks. Cast it as a bonus action before combat when facing creatures with damage resistance, ensuring maximum effectiveness from martial characters. The spell excels when supporting party members who lack magical weapons, dramatically increasing their damage output and hit chance. Use it strategically on weapons with the highest damage potential or those wielded by characters who make multiple attacks per turn. The 1-hour duration covers multiple encounters, making it resource-efficient for extended adventuring periods. Apply it to backup weapons when primary magical weapons might be unavailable or situationally inappropriate. The spell proves particularly valuable for rangers and paladins who can enhance their own weapons while maintaining other combat capabilities. Consider casting it on thrown weapons or ammunition for ranged combat advantages.

Spell Combinations

Magic Weapon synergizes excellently with spells that increase attack frequency, such as Haste or action surge abilities, multiplying the benefit of the magical enhancement across more attacks. Combine it with other weapon enhancement spells like Elemental Weapon for comprehensive weapon improvement, though note that multiple similar effects don't stack. The spell works well with buff spells that improve accuracy, such as Bless or Guidance, creating comprehensive combat enhancement packages. Pair it with spells that grant additional attacks or combat actions, maximizing the benefit of the enhanced weapon. Use alongside battlefield control spells that ensure enemies remain within weapon range, preventing the enhancement from going unused. The spell complements summoning magic by enhancing weapons given to summoned creatures that lack magical attacks. Combine with healing or protective spells to create comprehensive support packages for martial allies.

Material Component Details

Magic Weapon requires only verbal and somatic components, making it one of the most accessible weapon enhancement spells without material cost concerns. The lack of material components means it can be cast even when equipment is restricted or component pouches are unavailable. This accessibility makes it particularly valuable in situations where other enhancement spells might be impractical due to resource limitations. The spell can be cast while wearing armor and wielding weapons, as the somatic component is relatively simple and doesn't require complex gestures. Some casters prefer to use an arcane focus anyway, as it can help channel the transmutation energy more effectively into the target weapon. The spell's component simplicity makes it reliable in emergency situations where complex spellcasting might be difficult or dangerous. The straightforward requirements ensure the spell remains available even in challenging environmental conditions.

Creator Notes

Magic Weapon serves as a fundamental balancing tool for encounters involving creatures with resistance or immunity to nonmagical attacks, ensuring martial characters remain relevant against such threats. When designing encounters, consider how the spell affects the challenge rating of creatures that rely on damage resistance for their defensive capabilities. The spell's bonus action casting time allows for tactical deployment during combat without sacrificing other actions, making it more versatile than many buff spells. Be mindful of how the spell interacts with magical weapons already possessed by party members, as the enhancement doesn't stack with existing magical bonuses. The spell provides an excellent method for gradually introducing magical weapon benefits before characters acquire permanent magical equipment. Consider environmental challenges that might prevent spellcasting or separate the caster from allies who need weapon enhancement. The spell's duration makes it suitable for multiple encounters, affecting resource management decisions throughout adventuring days.

Environmental Interactions

The magical enhancement manifests as a subtle aura or glow around the weapon, potentially making it more visible in dark environments while indicating its magical nature to observers. The spell works on any nonmagical weapon regardless of material composition, allowing enhancement of improvised weapons, special materials, or culturally significant implements. Areas of strong magical interference might affect the spell's stability, potentially causing fluctuations in the enhancement bonus or duration. The magical nature of the enhanced weapon means it can affect creatures and objects that require magical weapons to damage, such as certain incorporeal undead or magically protected structures. Extreme environmental conditions that might damage normal weapons don't typically affect the magical enhancement, though the underlying weapon remains vulnerable to destruction. The spell functions normally underwater, in extreme temperatures, or other harsh conditions that don't specifically counter magic. Anti-magic fields suppress the enhancement, reverting the weapon to its nonmagical state until the field is removed.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

The spell only affects nonmagical weapons, so it cannot enhance weapons that already possess magical properties or enhancement bonuses. The +1, +2, or +3 bonus applies to both attack rolls and damage rolls, making it a comprehensive enhancement rather than just accuracy or damage improvement. Only one casting of Magic Weapon can be active at a time, as casting it again ends the previous effect rather than stacking bonuses. The spell affects the weapon itself, not the wielder, so the enhancement transfers if the weapon changes hands during the duration. The enhancement bonus doesn't stack with other magical bonuses from the weapon itself, though it can work alongside temporary effects from other sources. The spell can target any weapon, including improvised weapons, natural weapons that function as weapons, or special weapon types like whips or nets. The bonus applies to all attacks made with the weapon, including opportunity attacks or special attack types.

Alternative Applications

Beyond direct combat enhancement, Magic Weapon serves various utility and strategic purposes throughout different scenarios. Use it to overcome magical barriers or protections that require magical weapons to bypass, potentially solving puzzle or exploration challenges. The spell proves valuable for damaging magical constructs, undead, or other creatures that resist mundane weapons even outside combat situations. Apply it to weapons used for ceremonial or ritual purposes, enhancing their effectiveness in magical ceremonies or religious rites. The spell can increase the value or effectiveness of weapons used in competitions, demonstrations, or training scenarios. Use it to enhance tools used as improvised weapons, providing better damage and accuracy for creative combat solutions. The magical enhancement makes weapons more effective for intimidation or demonstration purposes, creating impressive displays of magical martial prowess. Apply it to hunting or utility tools to improve their effectiveness for specialized tasks that benefit from enhanced precision and power.

Related Spells

Magic Weapon belongs to the transmutation school's weapon enhancement tradition, sharing thematic elements with Elemental Weapon, Holy Weapon, and similar buff spells. Compare it to Elemental Weapon, which provides different damage types and additional effects but requires higher-level slots and concentration. The spell relates to other weapon-focused magic like Flame Blade or Spiritual Weapon, though those create rather than enhance weapons. Consider it alongside general buff spells like Bless, Haste, or Heroism for comprehensive combat enhancement strategies. The spell shares mechanical concepts with other temporary enhancement effects, though most require concentration or provide different types of bonuses. Shillelagh provides similar weapon enhancement for specific weapons and casters, creating interesting comparisons of utility and efficiency. The spell connects to other martial support magic that improves physical combat effectiveness rather than providing new capabilities.

Scaling Analysis

Magic Weapon scales exceptionally well with higher-level spell slots, progressing from +1 at 2nd level to +2 at 3rd-5th level and +3 at 6th+ level, maintaining relevance throughout character progression. The scaling bonus keeps pace with character level expectations and magical weapon availability, ensuring the spell remains useful even when characters have access to permanent magical weapons. At higher levels, the +3 enhancement becomes competitive with many magical weapons, making the spell valuable even for characters with existing magical equipment. The spell's utility increases when applied to characters who make multiple attacks per turn, multiplying the benefit of higher enhancement bonuses. Consider the spell's cost-effectiveness compared to acquiring magical weapons of equivalent power, particularly for temporary or situational needs. The scaling makes it valuable for enhancing backup weapons or providing temporary upgrades when primary weapons are unavailable. At high levels, the spell can serve as emergency enhancement when facing creatures with very high armor classes or significant damage resistances.

Narrative Flavor

When cast, Magic Weapon begins with the caster touching the weapon while speaking arcane words that cause subtle energy to flow from their fingers into the weapon's material. The enhancement manifests as a faint, shimmering aura that outlines the weapon's edge or striking surface, pulsing gently with magical energy that corresponds to the spell's power level. The weapon feels lighter and more balanced in the wielder's hands, as if the magic has optimized its weight distribution and aerodynamics for maximum effectiveness. As attacks are made, the magical enhancement creates brief flashes or sparks upon impact, accompanied by a distinctive sound that differs from normal weapon strikes. The weapon seems to guide itself slightly toward targets, providing the wielder with improved accuracy through subtle magical assistance. Different weapons might display the enhancement differently: blades show glowing edges, blunt weapons pulse with inner light, and ranged weapons impart similar energy to their ammunition. Throughout the spell's duration, the weapon maintains its improved performance with quiet confidence, serving as a reliable extension of the wielder's martial capabilities enhanced by arcane power.