Is Spiritual Weapon Considered a Spell or a Weapon for Resistance/Immunity Purposes in Dungeons Dragons 5E?
In Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition, the Spiritual Weapon spell is considered a spell for all purposes, including resistance and immunity. This means it functions both as a combat tool but also as a magical effect with specific rules regarding damage types and resistances.
Understanding Spiritual Weapon
When you cast the Spiritual Weapon spell, you conjure a floating spectral weapon within range that lasts for the duration of the spell or until you cast it again. You can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. On a hit, the target takes force damage equivalent to 1d8 plus your spellcasting ability modifier. On your turn, you can use a bonus action to move the weapon up to 20 feet and repeat the attack.
Damage Type and Resistance
The Spiritual Weapon deals force damage, which can be affected by other resistances or immunities. For example, if a creature is resistant to non-magical attacks, the Spiritual Weapon would not be affected by this resistance because it is a magical effect. This is important to note for spellcasters and those equipped with resistance/immunity options.
DM’s Discretion
What Spiritual Weapon really is depends on the DM's discretion. It is often treated as both a spell and a weapon. If a creature has resistance to spells, that would apply. If a creature has resistance to certain weapon types (bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing), that would also count.
For the purpose of resistance/immunity, the Spiritual Weapon should count as bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing weapon damage with respect to resistances/immunities. The target would use the most beneficial resistance/immunity, but resistances and immunities typically do not stack. The DM has the final say on how the spell behaves in their campaign.
Final Considerations
Consulting the spell description in the Dungeon Master's Guide or official sources like the DD Beyond spell page is always a good practice when determining the specifics of a spell’s effects.
Understanding the interplay between spells and resistance/immunities is crucial for effective gaming. Whether playing a spellcaster who specializes in force damage spells or a creature seeking to exploit resistances, knowing the rules can provide a significant advantage in battle.