D&D: Three Powerful New Spells In Rime Of The Frostmaiden
Proving why they’re called Wizards of the Coast, there are three new magics in Rime of the Frostmaiden, but it’s wizards-only for these spells.
Wizards will find a lot to love about the new Rime of the Frostmaiden adventure, which sends players into the depths of Icewind Dale to investigate the mysteries of an ancient wizard, who has long since become a demilich. But, being a millennia-old wizard means you’ve got time enough to come up with some powerful magics all your own, including three new spells that every wizard will want to add to their spellbooks. And, thanks to two different magic books, they have the opportunity to do exactly that.
That’s right, players who find a secret codicil to the poem known as the Rime of the Frostmaiden, or who uncover a certain spellbook have the opportunity to learn a few amped up spells that you won’t find in any other book (at least not yet). There’s a new 1st, 7th, and 9th level spell, proving that when you’re a Lich you’re a Lich all the way. You don’t, normally, mess around with 1st level spells. Let’s take a look.
Frost Fingers
What’s the first spell that comes to your mind when you hear the words “frost fingers.” If you thought Burning Hands, you’re right. This is a chilly counterpart to Burning Hands, but it’s not a one-to-one analogue. It’s a 15 foot cone that does 2d8 damage (or more if you upcast it), but it targets Constitution saves which are typically weaker among the average monster. It also freezes nonmagical liquids that aren’t being carried or “worn” which raises as many questions as it answers.
Create Magen
This next spell is where it gets real interesting though. It’s a 7th level spell, so odds are you won’t be able to cast it, necessarily, in the adventure. Though if you do all the Sidequests and your DM follows the leveling up guidelines pretty well, who knows. But if you manage to get to 14th level, you too can create a Magen. What is a Magen, you might be asking? Well they are magical, humanlike beings create through arcane methods. They look like humanoids with green skin, even though they’re depicted with blue. They’re magical beings who are conjured up with the express purpose of helping their creator complete a task, and that disappear in a harmless flash of fire and smoke, so they’re basically D&D-ified Mr. Meeseeks.
Casting the spell will run you 2,000gp (1,500 of which is for a reusable focus), reduce your HP maximum by 1, 2, or 3 depending on what flavor of Magen you choose–and only a Wish can return those lost hit points. But you get a permanent servant that is fairly capable, and magically loyal. I’m sure it won’t be long before someone creates a Magen who finds themselves with a will of their own as one of their PCs.
Blade of Disaster
This spell is my favorite of the bunch, and it’s a 9th level spell, so it goes big. This is an updated version of an older spell that once appeared in Baldur’s Gate 2. The Blade of Disaster allows you to conjure a blade-shaped “planar rift.” That’s right, this spell not only lets you make a black hole, but you can wield it like a sword. And it’s pretty amazing. First of all, it’s a bonus action spell. When you cast it you make two attacks, each of which deals 4d12 force damage on a hit, or 12d12 damage on a critical hit, which it can do on an 18 or higher. And then every round after, you can use your bonus action to make those same two attacks.
Now, the spell doesn’t level drain or have a chance to outright slay the target as its previous incarnation once did, but it can harmlessly pass through any barrier, including a wall of force, and it doesn’t requires you to wield it. So you can be safe, make attacks, and still cast other spells. It’s no Magic Missile with the right combo of BS, but it’ll get the job done and feels pretty cool.
So if you’re looking to add some new spice to your old wizards, check out the new spells of Frostmaiden.
Happy Adventuring!
