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Sunbeam

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Sunbeam
  • Level: 6
  • School: Evocation
  • Class: Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: Self
  • Components: V, S, M (a magnifying glass)
  • Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You launch a sunbeam in a 5-foot-wide, 60-foot-long line. Each creature in the line makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 6d8 Radiant damage and has the Blinded condition until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage only.

Until the spell ends, you can take a Magic action to create a new line of radiance.

For the duration, a mote of brilliant radiance shines above you. It sheds Bright Light in a 30-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 30 feet. This light is sunlight.

Tactical Usage​

Sustained Line Damage. Sunbeam provides repeated line-area attacks each turn, delivering consistent radiant damage with blindness effects.

Battlefield Illumination. The spell creates significant bright light that reveals hidden enemies and counters darkness-based magical effects.

Anti-Undead Specialization. The radiant damage and true sunlight effects make this spell particularly effective against undead creatures.

Spell Combinations​

Positioning Enhancement. Combining with movement magic enables optimal line targeting across multiple turns of sustained attacks.

Concentration Protection. Using alongside defensive magic protects the caster while maintaining the sustained damage output.

Light Synergy. Pairing with other light-based magic creates comprehensive illumination and radiant damage strategies.

Material Component Details​

Magnifying Glass Focus. The magnifying glass serves as a focusing lens for concentrating and directing the magical sunlight.

Light Concentration Symbolism. The component represents the spell's function of focusing diffuse light into concentrated radiant beams.

Reusable Optical Component. The magnifying glass is not consumed, making the spell repeatedly accessible once the component is acquired.

Creator Notes​

Sustained Area Control. Sunbeam provides excellent area denial through repeated line attacks and persistent illumination effects.

Undead Encounter Design. The spell offers specialized utility against undead creatures vulnerable to radiant damage and sunlight.

Light Source Management. The persistent bright light affects encounter dynamics by eliminating darkness-based advantages.

Environmental Interactions​

Darkness Negation. The bright light counters magical darkness effects and reveals creatures relying on concealment.

Sunlight Creation. The spell produces true sunlight, affecting creatures with sunlight sensitivity or vulnerability.

Indoor Illumination. The 30-foot bright light radius significantly alters visibility in enclosed spaces.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Line Targeting Flexibility. Each turn allows creating a new line in any direction within the spell's range.

Blindness Duration. The blinded condition lasts until the start of the caster's next turn, not the creature's turn.

Action Economy Usage. Creating new sunbeam lines requires a Magic action each turn after the initial casting.

Sunlight Classification. The light produced counts as actual sunlight for all game mechanics purposes.

Alternative Applications​

Exploration Lighting. Using the persistent bright light for illuminating large areas during exploration or investigation.

Plant Growth Support. Providing sunlight in areas where natural light is insufficient for plant-based magic or growth.

Anti-Vampire Tactics. Employing true sunlight effects against vampires and other creatures with sunlight vulnerabilities.

Radiant Damage Progression. Various spells provide radiant damage, while Sunbeam offers sustained line-based attacks.

Light Magic Comparison. Different illumination spells provide varying light intensities and special properties.

Evocation Line Spells. The spell joins other line-based evocation effects with sustained casting capabilities.

Scaling Analysis​

Consistent High-Level Value. Sunbeam maintains effectiveness as a 6th-level spell throughout high-level play.

Multiple Attack Benefit. The sustained nature provides excellent value for the significant spell slot investment.

Utility Persistence. The illumination and special light properties remain valuable regardless of character level.

Narrative Flavor​

Solar Radiance Manifestation. The sunbeam should appear as concentrated solar energy rather than simple bright light.

Brilliant Mote Display. The floating radiance above the caster should emphasize their connection to solar magical power.

Purifying Light Emphasis. The effect should convey cleansing solar energy that burns away darkness and corruption.