Shadow Blade: The Edgelord

Usable By: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Spell Level: 2

School: Illusion

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

Range: Self

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Components: V, S

You weave together threads of shadow to create a sword of solidified gloom in your hand. This magic sword lasts until the spell ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 psychic damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). In addition, when you use the sword to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with advantage.

If you drop the weapon or throw it, it dissipates at the end of the turn. Thereafter, while the spell persists, you can use a bonus action to cause the sword to reappear in your hand.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a 3rd- or 4th-level spell slot, the damage increases to 3d8. When you cast it using a 5th- or 6th-level spell slot, the damage increases to 4d8. When you cast it using a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the damage increases to 5d8.

Review by Sam West, Twitter: @CrierKobold

“The warlock wrenches the jagged black energy blade from the belly of the demon, blood pooling out over their pitch black cloak. They turn, a red tinted mist swirling in their eyes. With a stoic nod, the sword dissipates, and they slip into the shadows.”

- Every edgy warlock ever, living their best life with Shadow Blade

Shadow Blade is a flavor option aimed at those of us who enjoy playing the edgelord from time to time. Its a dark, evil blade full of EVIL and DARKNESS and it STABS REAL GOOD. And that’s kind of it.

Mechanically, it's a 2d8 thrown weapon with 20/60 range you have to concentrate on that gets advantage on attacks in darkness. This is basically a magical longsword as a spell, but worse. An annoying element of the spell is that you can’t use your spellcasting modifier to attack with it, meaning you’re going to want to already be playing a character with a decent enough reason to carry regular weapons on you. If you already have a +2 or +3 Dex, shortswords and short bows are your best friend. If you’re playing a Wizard or Sorcerer without those proficiencies, you’re probably not in the market for that high of a Dex score, but I mean, it's Dexterity so you might have it be high for AC and stealth anyway.

That all being said, a 2d8 finesse thrown weapon is better than basically all of the base equipment in the PHB. From my understanding this is a weapon you make weapon attacks with, and deal 2d8 + Dex or Str (your choice because of finesse) to damage rolls when you hit with it. That’s not THAT much better than a greatsword, but can be a marginal improvement. When you get this at 3rd level, it’ll likely be the best weapon anyone has access to, and that can be potentially worth it for a fight.

The real issue I have with it is its duration and concentration. A 2d8 weapon is good, but I’m not sold its so good I’m willing to spend a 2nd level spell slot and my concentration on it in classes like wizard and warlock. As soon as you’re getting 3rd and 4th level spells, this becomes basically uncastable as you get way better options for damage, but at levels three and four, this is perfectly fine for a big fight.

I don’t think I’d ever take it, as I’ve already lived my edgy character dreams, but for those of you looking to do the shadowy evil anti-hero thing, this can do it early. Hex is probably just better than this in warlock as it lasts way longer and bumps your damage up to roughly the same amount with weapon attacks, and wizards and sorcerers will quickly find building towards this is challenging to say the least with so many other powerful options out there. At the end of the day though this spell does what it promises in a good enough way that it can find a home on your sheets in the early game.

5e Spells

Shadow Blade: The Edgelord