Spiritual Weapon

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• Level: 2
• School: Evocation
• Class: Cleric
• Casting Time: Bonus Action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You create a floating, spectral force that resembles a weapon of your choice and lasts for the duration. The force appears within range in a space of your choice, and you can immediately make one melee spell attack against one creature within 5 feet of the force. On a hit, the target takes Force damage equal to 1d8 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.

As a Bonus Action on your later turns, you can move the force up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for every slot level above 2.

Tactical Usage

Bonus Action Damage. Spiritual Weapon provides consistent bonus action damage throughout combat without interfering with main action options.

Positioning Flexibility. The force can move 20 feet each turn and attack, enabling tactical positioning and target switching.

Action Economy Enhancement. The spell creates additional attacks per turn while freeing the caster for other activities.

Spell Combinations

Full Action Coordination. Combining with main action spells or abilities maximizes overall damage output per turn.

Battlefield Positioning. Using alongside movement magic optimizes both caster and spiritual weapon positioning.

Force Damage Reliability. The force damage type bypasses most resistances and provides consistent damage output.

Material Component Details

Component-Free Advantage. Spiritual Weapon requires only verbal and somatic components, making it consistently available without material constraints.

Divine Focus. The spell channels divine energy into spectral weapon manifestation through sacred invocation.

Weapon Manifestation. The somatic components shape divine force into recognizable weapon forms appropriate to the caster.

Creator Notes

Cleric Combat Enhancement. Spiritual Weapon provides clerics with reliable combat damage while maintaining spellcasting flexibility.

Action Economy Optimization. The spell enables efficient use of bonus actions throughout extended combat encounters.

Divine Magic Identity. The spell exemplifies divine magic through spectral weapon creation and force manifestation.

Environmental Interactions

Spectral Force Manifestation. The weapon appears as translucent divine energy shaped into weapon forms chosen by the caster.

Movement Independence. The spiritual weapon moves and attacks independently of the caster's position and actions.

Force Interaction. The spectral weapon exists as magical force that can interact with corporeal creatures but not physical objects.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

Immediate Attack. The spell enables one attack immediately upon casting as part of the casting action.

Bonus Action Control. Subsequent attacks require bonus actions to move and attack with the spiritual weapon.

Weapon Appearance. The caster chooses the weapon's appearance, though this doesn't affect mechanical properties.

Movement and Attack. The weapon can move up to 20 feet and attack in the same bonus action.

Alternative Applications

Flanking Support. Positioning the weapon to provide tactical advantages or threaten enemy positioning.

Distraction Creation. Using the spectral weapon to draw enemy attention or force positioning decisions.

Consistent Pressure. Maintaining ongoing damage threat that persists throughout extended encounters.

Related Spells

Bonus Action Magic. Various spells use bonus actions, while Spiritual Weapon provides ongoing combat utility.

Divine Damage Magic. The spell connects with other divine damage effects through force manifestation and sacred power.

Concentration-Free Utility. Unlike many combat spells, Spiritual Weapon doesn't require concentration for sustained effectiveness.

Scaling Analysis

Solid Damage Scaling. Spiritual Weapon scales well with higher-level slots while maintaining consistent bonus action utility.

Action Economy Value. The spell provides excellent value for action economy throughout character progression.

Reliable Combat Contribution. The force damage and positioning flexibility maintain effectiveness against diverse enemies.

Narrative Flavor

Divine Weapon Manifestation. The spell should emphasize spectral divine energy taking weapon form through the caster's faith.

Independent Combat Presence. The weapon should feel like divine will acting independently while remaining under caster control.

Sacred Force. The effect should represent divine power channeled into martial form that bridges magic and weaponry.