Prismatic Wall

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• Level: 9
• School: Abjuration
• Class: Bard, Wizard
• Casting Time: Action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 10 minutes

A shimmering, multicolored plane of light forms a vertical opaque wall-up to 90 feet long, 30 feet high, and 1 inch thick-centered on a point within range. Alternatively, you shape the wall into a globe up to 30 feet in diameter centered on a point within range. The wall lasts for the duration. If you position the wall in a space occupied by a creature, the spell ends instantly without effect.

The wall sheds Bright Light within 100 feet and Dim Light for an additional 100 feet. You and creatures you designate when you cast the spell can pass through and be near the wall without harm. If another creature that can see the wall moves within 20 feet of it or starts its turn there, the creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or have the Blinded condition for 1 minute.

The wall consists of seven layers, each with a different color. When a creature reaches into or passes through the wall, it does so one layer at a time through all the layers. Each layer forces the creature to make a Dexterity saving throw or be affected by that layer's properties as described in the Prismatic Layers table.

The wall, which has AC 10, can be destroyed one layer at a time, in order from red to violet, by means specific to each layer. If a layer is destroyed, it is gone for the duration. Antimagic Field has no effect on the wall, and Dispel Magic can affect only the violet layer.

Prismatic Layers

• 1. Red. Failed Save: 12d6 Fire damage. Successful Save: Half as much damage. Additional Effects: Nonmagical ranged attacks can't pass through this layer, which is destroyed if it takes at least 25 Cold damage.
• 2. Orange. Failed Save: 12d6 Acid damage. Successful Save: Half as much damage. Additional Effects: Magical ranged attacks can't pass through this layer, which is destroyed by a strong wind (such as the one created by Gust of Wind).
• 3. Yellow. Failed Save: 12d6 Lightning damage. Successful Save: Half as much damage. Additional Effects: The layer is destroyed if it takes at least 60 Force damage.
• 4. Green. Failed Save: 12d6 Poison damage. Successful Save: Half as much damage. Additional Effects: A Passwall spell, or another spell of equal or greater level that can open a portal on a solid surface, destroys this layer.
• 5. Blue. Failed Save: 12d6 Cold damage. Successful Save: Half as much damage. Additional Effects: The layer is destroyed if it takes at least 25 Fire damage.
• 6. Indigo. Failed Save: The target has the Restrained condition and makes a Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If it successfully saves three times, the condition ends. If it fails three times, it has the Petrified condition until it is freed by an effect like the Greater Restoration spell. The successes and failures needn't be consecutive; keep track of both until the target collects three of a kind. Additional Effects: Spells can't be cast through this layer, which is destroyed by Bright Light shed by the Daylight spell.
• 7. Violet. Failed Save: The target has the Blinded condition and makes a Wisdom saving throw at the start of your next turn. On a successful save, the condition ends. On a failed save, the condition ends, and the creature teleports to another plane of existence (GM's choice). Additional Effects: This layer is destroyed by Dispel Magic.

Tactical Usage

Ultimate Defensive Barrier. Prismatic Wall creates an impenetrable multi-layered defense that combines damage, conditions, and special effects to create the most formidable magical barrier available.

Battlefield Division. The wall can completely separate areas of combat, controlling enemy movement and creating tactical advantages through strategic positioning and area denial.

Layered Defense System. Each layer requires specific counters to destroy, making the wall extremely difficult to bypass quickly and providing sustained defensive benefits.

Spell Combinations

Strategic Positioning. Combining with movement abilities and battlefield control spells helps achieve optimal wall placement for maximum tactical advantage and area control.

Counter-Destruction Defense. Protecting the wall from its specific vulnerabilities through environmental control, spell countering, or ally coordination extends its defensive lifespan.

Offensive Integration. Using the wall to force enemies into unfavorable positions where other area effects, terrain hazards, or tactical disadvantages compound the barrier's impact.

Material Component Details

Component-Free Supremacy. Prismatic Wall requires no material components despite its 9th-level power, making it accessible without resource constraints or component preparation concerns.

Gesture Requirements. Somatic components require dramatic gestures appropriate to creating such a massive and complex magical construct.

Verbal Components. The spell requires spoken incantations that match the gravity and power of creating the ultimate magical barrier.

Creator Notes

Encounter Division Tool. Prismatic Wall can fundamentally alter encounter dynamics by creating imppassable barriers that force tactical repositioning and strategic planning.

Layer-by-Layer Interaction. Each layer's specific vulnerabilities create puzzle-like challenges where enemies must identify and exploit appropriate counter-methods.

Campaign Climax Magic. As a 9th-level spell, this represents ultimate defensive magic appropriate for final confrontations and epic-scale conflicts.

Environmental Interactions

Wall Configuration Options. The choice between flat wall and spherical globe configurations provides tactical flexibility for different encounter spaces and defensive needs.

Lighting Effects. The wall sheds bright light for 100 feet and dim light for another 100 feet, dramatically affecting visibility and stealth opportunities in the area.

Blindness Proximity. Creatures within 20 feet risk blindness, creating additional area control effects beyond the primary barrier function.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

Layer-by-Layer Passage. Creatures passing through must face all seven layers sequentially, suffering potential effects from each unless specifically protected or immune.

Destruction Requirements. Each layer requires specific damage types, spell effects, or conditions to destroy, preventing simple brute-force approaches to barrier removal.

Designated Ally Protection. Chosen creatures can pass freely through all layers without suffering any effects, providing selective permeability for tactical positioning.

Anti-Magic Resistance. The wall resists Antimagic Field effects and can only be partially affected by Dispel Magic on the violet layer specifically.

Alternative Applications

Sanctuary Creation. Globe configuration creates ultimate safe spaces for important NPCs, magical rituals, or strategic planning during dangerous situations.

Area Denial. Wall placement can block access to important locations, resources, or escape routes during strategic conflicts or defensive operations.

Magical Laboratory Protection. The ultimate defensive barrier for protecting sensitive magical research, artifact storage, or other high-value magical activities.

Related Spells

Barrier Magic Progression. Wall of Force provides simpler but reliable barriers, while various other wall spells offer different tactical applications with specific strengths.

Prismatic Magic Series. Prismatic Spray offers offensive applications of similar rainbow magic, while Color Spray provides lower-level prismatic effects.

Ultimate Defense. Forcecage, Maze, and other high-level control spells provide alternative approaches to battlefield control and enemy containment.

Scaling Analysis

Maximum Defensive Power. As a 9th-level spell, Prismatic Wall represents the pinnacle of defensive magic without scaling potential, providing absolute barrier effectiveness.

Resource Investment Justification. The spell's incredible defensive capabilities justify the maximum spell slot investment for critical defensive situations.

Campaign Finale Utility. Access to this spell typically coincides with epic-level adventures where ultimate defensive capabilities become necessary for survival.

Narrative Flavor

Rainbow Fortress. The wall should be described as a magnificent display of magical power, with each layer visibly distinct and radiating appropriate energy for its effects.

Layered Complexity. Each layer can be described with unique visual characteristics, magical resonance, and defensive properties that reflect its specific damage and effect types.

Ultimate Magic Display. The spell represents the pinnacle of defensive magic, deserving description that emphasizes its incredible power, visual splendor, and tactical significance in any encounter.