Understanding the Spiritual Weapon Spell in Dungeons Dragons 5e

Introduction: In the role-playing game Dungeons Dragons 5e, the Spiritual Weapon spell provides a unique and powerful offensive option for Clerics. This spell creates a floating, spectral weapon that can be used to make melee attacks. However, there are specific rules and limitations surrounding its use, which this article will explore.

Overview of the Spiritual Weapon Spell

The Spiritual Weapon spell is a versatile tool for Clerics. When you cast this spell, it appears within 60 feet of your desired location. It can be used to make an attack as a bonus action on your subsequent turns. This means that while the spell is complex, it provides Clerics with additional offensive capabilities without taking up a standard action on their turn.

Casting the Spell

To cast the Spiritual Weapon spell:

Select a location within 60 feet of you. The spell comes into existence in your chosen space.

Once you have successfully created the spectral weapon, you can use it to make attacks as a bonus action on any of your subsequent turns. This makes the spell highly flexible and useful during combat.

Using the Spiritual Weapon for Melee Attacks

The Spiritual Weapon makes a melee spell attack against a target within 5 feet of it. You can only use this attack as a bonus action and not on the same turn you cast the spell. This means that you must first take the spell action to create the weapon, and then use a bonus action to attack with it.

A Relevant Passage from the Spell Description

The official description of the Spiritual Weapon spell in the Player’s Handbook (PHB) on page 278 states:

"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."

This passage emphasizes that the Spiritual Weapon is a magical effect that resembles a weapon, not a physical weapon. Therefore, even if you manage to grab it, you do not have proficiency with it and might not be able to effectively use it as it is controlled by your spellcasting abilities, not physical movement.

Conclusion and DM Discretion

Based on the rules, you cannot physically grab the Spiritual Weapon and make a melee attack with it as if it were a physical weapon. It acts independently of you and operates via divine magic, utilizing bonus actions rather than your physical movement. However, as a Dungeon Master (DM), you can allow flavorful and role-playing elements that might enhance the experience, such as holding the weapon in your hand.

If you choose to rule that the Spiritual Weapon can be physically held, it should still be considered a melee spell attack and not trigger additional attacks or extra movement beyond the 5-foot range. Additionally, while you sacrifice some mobility, you also gain a unique and powerful combat maneuver.

Alternative Options

If you want a more reliable melee weapon to summon and use, consider multiclassing into the Eldritch Knight fighter subclass. This allows you to combine your spellcasting abilities with martial prowess, providing you with a reliable melee weapon you can summon and use on your own terms. For instance, you can take two levels in fighter and pick up the Eldritch Knight to gain the benefits of action surge, second wind, and a fighting style like the Protection Fighting Style.

Conclusion

While the Spiritual Weapon is a potent spell, it is best used within the context of its design - as a magical effect rather than a physical weapon. As a player, you can still leverage its strengths through the given rules, and as a DM, you have the freedom to interpret the spell in ways that best fit the story and player experience. Happy gaming!