Spiritual Weapon: The Fighting Spirit

Usable By: Cleric

Spell Level: 2

School: Evocation

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

Range: 60 feet

Duration: 1 minute

Components: V, S

You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. On a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the weapon up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within 5 feet of it. The weapon can take whatever form you choose. Clerics of deities who are associated with a particular weapon (as St. Cuthbert is known for his mace and Thor for his hammer) make this spell’s effect resemble that weapon.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot 3rd level of or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for every two slot levels above the 2nd.

Review by Nick Olivo

Why should this spell be among those you prepare each day? The amazing Healing Word notwithstanding, clerics don't get a lot of things to do with their bonus action. This spell is a fantastic option, enabling you to get an extra attack in each round. So cast it, whack a target 60ft away, maybe fire off a Sacred Flame at that same target for fun. On the next round, you can cast Cure Wounds on your friendly neighborhood meat shield while still getting a hit in via the Spiritual Weapon. It doesn't require concentration, so you can cast other spells like Hold Person on subsequent rounds, and then, when the target is paralyzed, use your bonus action to move the Spiritual Weapon over and bash them over the head. At higher levels, you can have other damage dealing spells up, like Spirit Guardians, and use both spells to devastating effect.

Because Spiritual Weapon deals force damage, few creatures will be resistant to it, and it uses your spellcasting ability modifier for damage, so clerics who don't have a high Strength score can still pack a punch. Also, since it uses a melee spell attack, it's possible to crit with it. While I wouldn't recommend upcasting it, as there are other higher level spells capable of dishing out more damage, it's a nice augmentation to your normal action.

Spiritual Weapon is a domain spell for Life and War clerics, but I think every cleric should have this one.

Spiritual Weapon FAQ

Since it doesn't require concentration and lasts for a minute, does it stay in effect even if I drop to 0 hp?

Yep. This has happened several times to my cleric, Zerachiel. Obviously, the spiritual weapon can't be used while you're unconscious, but if one of your allies is able to get you back on your feet, you can continue using the spiritual weapon for the remainder of its duration.

Can I cast more than one spiritual weapon?

Technically yes, but you only get one bonus action per turn, so you'd only be able to use one spiritual weapon at a time. As much fun as it would be to have half a dozen floating spectral maces on the battlefield and just drum your enemies to death, that would make things a touch overpowered.

Does Spiritual Weapon count for flanking purposes?

No. While you may get attached to your spiritual weapon, it's a spell effect, not an ally, and doesn't count toward flanking.

Can I make attacks of opportunity with a Spiritual Weapon?

No. On Twitter, Jeremy Crawford said "The spell's description would say if the spiritual weapon made opportunity attacks. It intentionally doesn't."

Does it have to look like my god's favored weapon?

Nope. Its appearance has no effect on the spell itself. Want to hit someone over the head with a tankard made of force? Go for it. An anvil? You bet. A chia head that looks like David Hasselhoff? Hey, you do you, you wild holy person.

5e Spells

Spiritual Weapon: The Fighting Spirit

Spiritual Weapon FAQ