Spells are one of the major components of the game and one of the biggest sources of fun inDungeons & Dragons. While the 5th Edition offers a wide array of interesting ones, the older editions had more than enough to brag about on their own.
The trends in the 5th Edition have indeed moved past the overpowered spells from the earlier versions of the game, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from investigating. If your DM is feeling generous, you might just be able to use some of these spells at your table.
10Duodimension
Become A Drawing Of Yourself
Hailing from 1st edition, this spellalters the caster’s bodyin an unusual way.Only your height and width remain visible, so you basically become a two-dimensional being. While this might seem more fun than useful, every rogue worth their salt will tell you that this can be an amazing tool.
This unique spell can be used for various tight-quarters-related shenanigans, as well as a great number of fun roleplaying situations. It’s always good to have a spell like that lying around.
9Scatterspray
Shower Your Surroundings With Small Items
Though it was a lot of fun in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Editions, Scatterspray is sadly still missing from the 5th Edition spellbooks. While not really a powerful spell, it provides a lot of interesting flavor to magic encounters.
This spell causesa group of items to scatter and fly around in random directions within its radius. So whether you want to fight using kitchen appliances or just need to be overly dramatic, this spell can help you create a fun scene.
8Rainbow
Summon A Great Bow Or Make A Rainbow Bridge
With all of the rainbow-adjacent spells 5th Edition has to offer, it’s understandable how this one didn’t make the cut. However, that doesn’t make it any less cool.
Rainbow was a priest spell with two possible applications -you could create a big, powerful, colorful bow, dealing double damage to different enemies based on the arrow’s color - or you could create a bridge. The conditions for the spell are somewhat hard to meet, and if there’s no visible rainbow gracing the skies, you might have to pay at least 1,000 gold pieces per casting.
7Mordekainen’s Disjunction
Cause Major Financial Destruction
Do you wish your Dispel Magic could work on your opponents' magic items? If so, this could be your favorite old spell. This9th-level spellis either loved or hated by the players; there is no room in between.
Mordekainen’s Disjunction reduces magic items to their basic componentsand completely cancels their effects. However, be careful if you’re considering asking your DM to incorporate this into your 5th Edition game because you definitely don’t want this spell used against you and your hard-won items.
6Implosion
Bring Down Divine Wrath
It’s understandable why a spell like this isn’t available in 5th Edition. D&D nowadays is working toward being a more balanced game and, well, this spell isn’t balanced at all. However, having a spell like this could certainly happen with just a little bit of rework.
With Implosion, you cause the target to collapse in on itself and fall to zero hit points immediately.This could provide some amazing story-building potential to set up the divine wrath of high-level clerics, but it certainly needs some work to be included in your everyday game.
5Permanency
Give Yourself A Buff Or Get Creative
Are you tired of keeping track of concentration spells, or do you just wish at least some of them lasted longer? Do you wish your human could have permanent darkvision with just a flick of a wand? Well, there was a time when you could do all that. The older editions had just the right spell.
Permanency, as the name implies, will take the effects of a spell and make them permanent. It is very useful and extremely fun to play around with, as it practically gives you the chance to customize your character further with different spell effects. Watch out, though. It’s still possible for another powerful spellcaster to undo the magic.
4Nahal’s Reckless Dweomer
Enjoy The Chaos Of Wild Magic
Some spells are good because they’re useful, other spells are just too much fun, and some spells can be both. Nahal’s Reckless Dweomer was a Wild Mage exclusive spell that had the power to cause extreme chaos and leave you with amazing stories to tell.
The effect of this spell is simple -you expend a 1st level spell slot to repeat the casting of your last spell. However, this also causes a Wild Magic Surge. This type of chaos could create legendary moments that your table will talk about for weeks to come.
3Clarion Call Of The Astral Sea
Ideal For A Last-Second Save
This powerful cleric spell was ideal for last-resort situations. If you or one of your allies get close to being knocked down, this would be a great way to save the day. If this spell ever gets into the 5th edition, it will certainly find a way to many a Cleric’s character sheet.
After choosing your target, you can send a willing creature to the Astral Sea for a round, where they (or you) heal up to maximum Hit Points. After the round passes, they reappear at the start of their turn in an unoccupied space you choose, close to their previous location.
2Curse Of The Twin Princes
Do You Want To Look Cool And Feel Untouchable At The Same Time?
This is a classic example of a spell meant to make your character look cool, but it’s also incredibly useful to have. Whether you’re playing an Illusionist, an edgy Warlock, or a trickster Bard, this spell could find its place in your arsenal.
Curse Of The Twin Princes takes an action to cast, and its goal is to bond you to an enemy. After that, besides starting to resemble them in appearance (a beautiful addition),you can transfer half of any damage you receive to them.
1Arcane Fusion
Combine Your Spells And Let Your Imagination Run Wild
If you like getting creative with your abilities and thinking of new ways to use well-known spells, Arcane Fusion is an amazing way to spice up the game. It can be made to look as cool as you like, and it gives your spellcaster the ability to make their magic moments even more special and unique.
When you cast this 5th-level sorcerer spell,you’re able to choose any 1st-level spell to cast simultaneously with any 4th-level spell you know. You can choose which effect takes place first, which happens during one action. This spell is an amazing way for you to show your creativity and for your sorcerer to shine under the spotlight.
