D&D: Underrated Evocation Spells For All Occasions
Evocation might be the most explosive school of spellcraft – but with many flashy options to pick, what should you choose?
Evocation spells are among the most iconic of D&D spells. It’s the school for things like Fireball and Lightning Bolt. All the “hurl around arcane energy” spells fit into this one. And while those are all certainly good options, and indeed, often the most mathematically damaging options, they aren’t the only ones.
There are plenty of evocation spells that are a little less well-known, but absolutely worth a spot in your spellbook. Especially if you’re an Evocation Wizard. Here are some underrated evocation spells to hang your hat on.
Witch Bolt
It’s only a matter of time that Witch Bolt stays underrated. Especially against low-level enemies. It not only overcame its shortcomings from the previous edition (in 5E, Witch Bolt was frustratingly underpowered), it now scales okay for the first few levels, and is a gift that keeps on giving. Especially if you don’t have anything to do with a Bonus Action—spending it to do 1d12 extra lightning damage is a great option.
Sure, it takes your concentration slot, but you’re using it to constantly shoot lightning like some kind of Emperor Palpatine charged with unlimited power. And all for a 1st level spell slot!
Starry Wisp
This is a new cantrip for D&D 5.5E. Starry Wisp is available to Druids and Bards (though you can access it via many other options, like a Warlock’s Tome of Shadows or a Magic Initiate feat). And it works pretty simply: you make a ranged spell attack and deal 1d8 damage to a distant object—and until the end of your next turn, they emit Dim Light in a 10-foot radius and can’t benefit from the Invisible condition. Which means no hiding. And no save either—just, thank you for playing, you can’t go invisible.
When it comes in handy, it is an absolute game changer. It won’t come up every game session—but when it finally gets a chance to shut down the invisible assassin or the commando kobolds, you’ll feel so good for having it.
Fount of Moonlight
Another Bard and Druid spell—because when it comes to Moons, only Bards and Druids are ever interested in them, apparently. But it’s still a fun spell, and a standout evocation spell for what it does. You become wreathed in moonlight (which is the perfect light for fighting evil by), and your melee attacks deal 2d6 extra radiant damage for the next 10 minutes. You also gain resistance to radiant damage, which comes in handy more in this edition than ever before, and you gain a Reaction – when you take damage from a creature within 60 feet, you can force them to make a Con save or be Blinded until the end of your next turn.
This can turn the tide of a fight. And make you feel like a total badass bathed in moonlight while doing so. A great spell for combat bards and melee druids.
Rime’s Binding Ice
Alright, enough Bardery. Let’s take a lookat Rime’s Binding Ice, out of Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons. This is a cunning little 2nd level spell. It not only deals a decent chunk of damage (3d to any creature in a 30 foot cone), it also reduces the speed of creatures to 0 until they either waste an action to escape, or are broken free by another creature (again as an action).
Meaning you can basically earn yourself an extra free turn in combat, with this, if you can catch all your enemies in a blast. Or you can freeze everyone in place, that’s fun too.
Immolation
Finally, we have Immolation. This spell is a fantastic “problem solver” spell, so long as your enemy is that one guy, over there. Pick a creature within 90 feet, ifthey fail a Dex save, they take 8d6 fire damage and then are on fire. While on fire, they shed bright light out to 30 feet and dim light another 30 beyond that, and take 4d6 damage every turn unless they manage to successfully save. So if you can make it hard for an enemy to save, this spell can do a lot of work for you.
What are some of your favorite evocation spells?
