Synaptic Static: Induced Brain Fart

Usable By: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Spell Level: 5

School: Enchantment

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 120 feet

Duration: Instantaneous

Components: V, S

You choose a point within range and cause psychic energy to explode there. Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature with an Intelligence score of 2 or lower can’t be affected by this spell. A target takes 8d6 psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

After a failed save, a target has muddled thoughts for 1 minute. During that time, it rolls a d6 and subtracts the number rolled from all its attack rolls and ability checks, as well as its Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration. The target can make an Intelligence saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Review by Sam West, Twitter: @CrierKobold

Synaptic Static has all the right words to make a powerful spell. It does a decent chunk of damage (though slightly low for its level) while simultaneously creating a debuff on enemies that stacks with other more common debilitating effects like disadvantage. It hits a fairly large area, can be cast from a decent range, is in a neat school of magic, and has clear moments where it’ll work great, and others where you’ll want to fall back on other spells.

If you’re the kind of DM or player that doesn’t mind a small amount of bookkeeping, I can’t recommend this option enough. It's powerful, fulfills a specific fantasy many are seeking, and will be something you’re eager to use often enough, but not so often the game becomes warped around it.

The downside of missing creatures with low Int scores makes the spell’s power checked in a really interesting way. As a DM, if I see a player falling back on this a lot, it’s fairly easy to up the number of low Intelligence creatures I’m throwing at them to offer variance in their play experience. You still absolutely should make encounters that include creatures that can be threatened by this spell, as Synaptic Static isn’t so powerful it single handedly removes any challenge from higher Int creatures, but it's nice to have a release valve to give other players moments to be awesome if the player with Synaptic Static has been over shining their companions a bit.

Personally, I just really hate this kind of magical look. My preferences in my high fantasy games are far removed from the world of psionics; this spell to me feels more like a super power out of X-Men, not a spell I’d expect a warlock contracting with the devil or wizened sorcerer studying charms and potions to cast. Sure, many character archetypes lean in on these themes and ideas, and I don’t detest ALL of them. Great old one warlocks have a telepathic cult-leader vibe that can integrate Synaptic Static exceptionally well as a part of their fantasy. If I were building a great old one warlock, I’d probably take it. That to me isn’t the majority of character archetypes that’d aim for this spell effect, though, and archetypes like the soul knife where you kill people with your sheer brute force intelligence just rub me the wrong way.

My thematic opinions aside, Synaptic Snap doesn’t require that much bookkeeping, has a relevant debuff I’m thrilled to see implemented like this, can always do something decent when you cast it the majority of the time, and fits a good amount of archetypes people want to play. It may not be for me, but if this kind of magic is your jam, I highly encourage you to try it out.

5e Spells

Synaptic Static: Induced Brain Fart