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Sacred Flame

Sacred Flame
  • Level: Cantrip
  • School: Evocation
  • Class: Cleric
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: 60 feet
  • Components: V, S
  • Duration: Instantaneous

Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 Radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from Half Cover or Three-Quarters Cover for this save.

Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d8 when you reach levels 5 (2d8), 11 (3d8), and 17 (4d8).

Tactical Usage​

Cover-Bypassing Divine Damage. Sacred Flame provides reliable radiant damage that ignores cover, making it excellent against enemies hiding behind obstacles or using defensive positioning.

Excellent Scaling Potential. The cantrip scales from 1d8 to 4d8 damage while maintaining cover-bypassing properties, keeping it competitive throughout character progression.

Anti-Undead Effectiveness. Radiant damage particularly affects undead creatures, making this cantrip valuable in campaigns featuring extensive undead encounters.

Spell Combinations​

Divine Magic Synergy. Combining with other radiant damage effects or divine magic creates thematic spell combinations that reinforce divine caster identity.

Positioning Independence. The cover-bypassing property works well with battlefield control spells that force enemies into cover positions.

Anti-Stealth Support. The spell targets creatures you can see, making it useful against enemies attempting to use cover for concealment.

Material Component Details​

Component-Free Convenience. Sacred Flame requires no material components, making it consistently available without resource management concerns.

Divine Gesture Requirements. Somatic components represent divine invocation gestures that channel sacred power from divine sources.

Verbal Invocation. The spell requires spoken prayers or divine words that might identify the caster's religious affiliation or divine connection.

Creator Notes​

Cover Negation Mechanic. Sacred Flame provides unique tactical options by ignoring cover mechanics that normally protect enemies from ranged attacks.

Divine Caster Identity. The spell reinforces cleric thematic identity through divine magic that calls down sacred power from above.

Radiant Damage Consistency. The spell offers reliable radiant damage that affects undead and fiends differently than mundane damage types.

Environmental Interactions​

Ceiling Independence. The flame descends from above but doesn't require clear sky access, functioning in dungeons, caves, and enclosed spaces.

Cover Bypass Mechanics. Physical obstacles don't protect targets from the descending radiance, though total concealment still prevents targeting.

Divine Manifestation. The spell creates visible divine effects that might have different impacts based on local religious beliefs or planar environments.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Dexterity Save Mechanics. Targets roll Dexterity saving throws against the caster's spell save DC, with failure resulting in full damage.

Cover Negation Scope. Half and three-quarters cover provide no benefit to the saving throw, though total cover still prevents targeting.

Damage Type Consistency. Sacred Flame deals radiant damage exclusively, making it subject to radiant resistance and vulnerability effects.

Targeting Requirements. The spell requires line of sight to targets but ignores intervening cover for save bonuses.

Alternative Applications​

Illumination Creation. The divine flame provides brief but intense illumination that might reveal hidden objects or creatures in dark environments.

Religious Demonstration. The visible divine power serves as evidence of divine favor or religious authority during social encounters.

Undead Detection. The spell's particular effectiveness against undead can help identify disguised or hidden undead creatures.

Radiant Damage Alternatives. Guiding Bolt provides attack roll mechanics with different tactical applications, while other radiant spells offer varying approaches.

Divine Cantrip Options. Thaumaturgy provides utility effects, while Sacred Flame offers combat damage with unique mechanical properties.

Cover-Bypassing Magic. Few spells ignore cover mechanics, making Sacred Flame unique in its approach to defensive positioning.

Scaling Analysis​

Excellent Late-Game Viability. The 4d8 damage at high levels makes Sacred Flame competitive with weapon attacks while providing unique cover-bypassing benefits.

Radiant Damage Value. The damage type becomes increasingly valuable against undead and fiends that feature prominently in high-level encounters.

Resource Independence. As a cantrip, Sacred Flame provides unlimited divine damage that becomes increasingly valuable as spell slots are preserved.

Narrative Flavor​

Divine Radiance Manifestation. The spell should emphasize holy light descending from above with appropriate divine symbolism and sacred atmosphere.

Religious Iconography. Different divine traditions might manifest flame-like radiance with unique visual characteristics reflecting specific deities or divine aspects.

Cover-Penetrating Power. The effect should visually demonstrate how divine power transcends physical obstacles, appearing to ignore walls and barriers.