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Spirit Guardians

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Spirit Guardians
  • Level: 3
  • School: Conjuration
  • Class: Cleric
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: Self
  • Components: V, S, M (a prayer scroll)
  • Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

Protective spirits flit around you in a 15-foot emanation for the duration. If you are good or neutral, their spectral form appears angelic or fey (your choice). If you are evil, they appear fiendish.

When you cast this spell, you can designate creatures to be unaffected by it. Any other creature's Speed is halved in the emanation, and whenever the emanation enters a creature's space and whenever a creature enters the emanation or ends its turn there, the creature must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 3d8 Radiant damage (if you are good or neutral) or 3d8 Necrotic damage (if you are evil). On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage. A creature makes this save only once per turn.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 3.

Tactical Usage​

Mobile Area Control. Spirit Guardians creates a 15-foot emanation that moves with the caster, providing continuous area damage and speed reduction.

Speed Reduction Zone. Enemy movement is halved within the area, significantly limiting tactical positioning and escape options.

Sustained Damage Pressure. The spell deals damage when creatures enter, when you enter their space, or when they end turns in the area.

Spell Combinations​

Positioning Tactics. Combining with movement enhancement maximizes the area's coverage and enemy exposure to damage.

Forced Movement Synergy. Using alongside push or pull effects forces enemies through the damaging area multiple times.

Concentration Protection. Pairing with defensive magic helps maintain the powerful concentration effect throughout encounters.

Material Component Details​

Prayer Scroll Symbolism. The prayer scroll represents divine invocation that summons protective spirits through sacred text.

Divine Component. The material requirement reinforces the spell's connection to divine power and spiritual guardians.

Sacred Text. The prayer scroll might contain specific divine names or protective invocations appropriate to the caster's deity.

Creator Notes​

Cleric Signature Spell. Spirit Guardians exemplifies cleric battlefield control through divine guardian spirits and area denial.

Alignment-Based Effects. The spell's appearance and damage type reflect the caster's moral alignment through spiritual manifestation.

Mobile Battlefield Control. The emanation moves with the caster, creating dynamic area control unlike static spells.

Environmental Interactions​

Spectral Guardian Manifestation. The spirits appear as angelic, fey, or fiendish based on caster alignment, creating thematic visual effects.

Mobile Area Effect. The emanation follows the caster's movement, enabling tactical positioning and area coverage.

Speed Reduction Impact. The halved movement affects all non-designated creatures within the area consistently.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Save Frequency. Creatures make saves only once per turn regardless of how many times they interact with the area.

Damage Type Determination. Good and neutral casters deal radiant damage while evil casters deal necrotic damage.

Friendly Designation. The caster can designate specific creatures to be unaffected by the spell's harmful effects.

Movement Interaction. The spell triggers when the emanation enters creature spaces or when creatures enter or end turns within it.

Alternative Applications​

Crowd Control. Managing large groups through speed reduction and damage pressure that encourages dispersal.

Defensive Protection. Creating mobile protection around important allies or objectives through spiritual guardian presence.

Area Denial. Controlling battlefield space through continuous damage threat and movement restriction.

Divine Area Control. Various spells create area effects, while Spirit Guardians provides mobile divine battlefield presence.

Concentration Battlefield Control. The spell competes with other concentration effects but offers unique mobile area coverage.

Cleric Identity Magic. The spell reinforces cleric themes through divine guardians and protective spiritual manifestation.

Scaling Analysis​

Excellent Scaling Value. Spirit Guardians scales well with higher-level slots while maintaining consistent tactical benefits.

Concentration Investment. The spell justifies concentration usage through sustained area control and damage output.

High-Level Campaign Utility. The spell remains effective against powerful enemies through scaling damage and speed reduction.

Narrative Flavor​

Divine Guardian Manifestation. The spell should emphasize protective spirits that serve divine will through the caster's faith.

Alignment-Appropriate Appearance. The spirits should visually reflect the caster's moral alignment through appropriate celestial, fey, or fiendish forms.

Mobile Divine Presence. The effect should feel like divine protection that follows and enhances the caster's battlefield presence.