Word of Radiance 5e Spell Description
From Xanathar’s Guide to Everything the spell text reads as follows:
You utter a divine word, and burning radiance erupts from you. Each creature of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 1d6 radiant damage.
At Higher Levels. The spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).
Word of Radiance 5e Spell Stats
- Evocation cantrip
- Casting Time: 1 action
- Range: 5 feet
- Components: V, M (a holy symbol)
- Duration: Instantaneous
Spell Lists: Cleric 5e
What is Word of Radiance?
Word of Radiance is a Cleric evocation cantrip. The Cleric grips his holy symbol and makes a verbal command. They then release burning radiance that extends five feet from the Cleric’s body.
Each creature the Cleric chooses that can see within the range of the spell then makes a CON saving throw or takes 1d6 or radiant damage. This spell takes one action to complete.
How do you use Word of Radiance?
The Cleric would use the Word of Radiance when surrounded. The Cleric can instantly blast multiple targets in close range. They could charge through the battlefield letting off bursts of radiant damage each turn.
Additionally, if the party opens the wrong door in a dungeon, they could find themselves surrounded in close quarters. Word or Radiance would be helpful in this situation.
Is Word of Radiance a good spell?
Word of Radiance can be a good spell. However, its utility is lost if the Cleric isn’t interested in joining the frontlines. This cantrip only works in close range. Therefore, the Cleric would need to be confronting an enemy head-on. This situation does happen, however, it is not super common.
Something common is high CON. The Cleric must be close to the target to cast Word of Radiance. If a Cleric is surrounded in battle, it’s likely by high STR and high CON classes like Fighters and Barbarians.
Though that might not always be the case, the target only takes 1d6 on a failed save. Word of Radiance can easily turn into an anti-climatic flash bang.
If a Cleric is looking for a radiant evocation cantrip, Sacred Flame is a better choice. Sacred Flame works similarly without requiring a holy object and causes more damage. Aesthetics is the only real reason to choose Word of Radiance over Sacred Flame.
Jillian started learning Dungeons & Dragons in 2014. After being encouraged by a friend to make a character, she became fully involved in character creation and later became an awesome Dungeon Master. Jillian strives to use her creativity to spread her knowledge of DnD and interpret the ruleset.