Inflict Wounds 5e: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction to Inflict Wounds 5e

Overview

Inflict wounds 5e is a damage spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. It uses a touch attack and deals heavy necrotic damage. This spell is loved by many players. It shows its strength in damage output. Inflict wounds 5e plays a big role for Clerics, Paladins, and some Sorcerers. The spell has a long history in D&D. It has been a key tool for characters who need burst damage in close combat.

Purpose of the Guide

This guide is a full resource on inflict wounds 5e. It gives clear details on spell mechanics and class choices. The guide shows ways to boost damage with inflict wounds 5e. It helps players and DMs find tips and ideas. The guide offers class build ideas and advice on how to use the spell in battle. The guide uses simple language to help anyone learn about inflict wounds 5e.

Spell Mechanics and Details

Spell Description

Inflict Wounds 5e is a 1st-level necromancy spell. It makes a melee spell attack. When you use this spell, you have to touch the target. If you hit, the spell deals heavy necrotic damage. Here are the key stats for inflict wounds 5e:

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Touch
• Components: Verbal and Somatic
• Duration: Instantaneous

Damage and Scaling

Inflict wounds 5e does 3d10 necrotic damage as its base damage. When you use a higher level spell slot, the damage increases. For each slot level above 1st, add 1d10 damage. This makes inflict wounds 5e scale well as you grow in power.

Rules Specifics

A melee spell attack for inflict wounds 5e uses your spellcasting modifier. You do not use your weapon modifier for this attack. Many players ask why this spell cannot trigger Sneak Attack. The reason is that inflict wounds 5e is a spell attack. Sneak Attack only works with melee weapon attacks, not with spells. This clear rule helps avoid confusion during gameplay.

Classes and Subclasses That Use Inflict Wounds 5e

Who Can Cast It

Inflict wounds 5e is a spell on the Cleric spell list. Many Clerics use this spell for heavy burst damage. Some Paladins have free access to inflict wounds 5e. For example, an Oathbreaker Paladin can cast it. Certain Sorcerers also get inflict wounds 5e. A Divine Soul Sorcerer with an Evil affinity can use this spell. Some homebrew builds and multiclass characters include inflict wounds 5e. These options let players mix and match abilities.

Role in Character Builds

Inflict wounds 5e fits well in burst-damage builds. It is ideal for frontline casters who are in close combat. This spell gives a quick and strong burst of necrotic damage. Many builds use it as the core of a damage-focused strategy. Some players combine it with Channel Divinity or metamagic for even more damage. Ideas from Nerdarchy and Reddit offer creative builds that center on inflict wounds 5e. These builds show how to make the spell work best in various combat scenarios.

Tactical Use in Combat

When and How to Use Inflict Wounds 5e

Inflict wounds 5e works best in close melee combat. This spell is ideal when you are near your target. Use it when you have an enemy within reach. The touch-range makes it a strong choice when you are fighting in tight spaces. You can maximize its damage output by gaining advantage on your attack roll. For example, use spells like Hold Person or Hold Monster. When the enemy is paralyzed, every hit becomes a critical hit. This boosts the damage of inflict wounds 5e even more.

Comparisons with Other Spells

Inflict wounds 5e is a burst-damage spell that stands out among 1st-level damage spells. Compare it with Guiding Bolt. Guiding Bolt is a ranged spell that deals radiant damage. It also helps allies by giving them advantage on the next attack. Inflict wounds 5e has a higher average damage output. However, its touch range means you must be close to the enemy. This can be a risk in some fights. Ranged spells like Guiding Bolt keep you safer. Inflict wounds 5e shines when you want a quick burst of damage in melee combat. Each spell has its own strengths. Use inflict wounds 5e when you can safely get close and when you need strong, direct damage.

Optimization and Combo Strategies

Metamagic and Spell Synergy

Quickened Spell lets you cast inflict wounds 5e as a bonus action. This gives you an extra attack round in a fight. You can use Twinned Spell on inflict wounds 5e when only one target is allowed. Distant Spell helps to extend the touch range of inflict wounds 5e to 30 feet. This helps when you cannot get close to the enemy.

Combining with Class Features

Pair inflict wounds 5e with Channel Divinity. Grave Domain’s Path to the Grave makes the enemy vulnerable and doubles your damage. Use Find Familiar to deliver inflict wounds 5e safely. The familiar can touch the enemy while you stay out of danger.

Critical Hit Optimization

Setting up conditions such as paralysis boosts your chances of a critical hit with inflict wounds 5e. A critical hit doubles all damage dice. True Strike may help secure advantage on your attack roll. This extra accuracy raises your chance of landing a critical hit with inflict wounds 5e.

Sample Character Builds Focused on Inflict Wounds 5e

Build Example 1: The Death Cleric Burst Caster

This build uses a Death Cleric to hit hard with inflict wounds 5e. The cleric takes Channel Divinity from the Grave Domain. Use the Path to the Grave feature to mark an enemy. This makes the enemy take extra damage when you cast inflict wounds 5e. The build also uses medium armor and a shield for better protection. Choose feats that help with concentration and melee defense. This build aims to deliver a strong burst of necrotic damage with inflict wounds 5e while staying safe in close combat.

Build Example 2: The Divine Soul Sorcerer Optimization

This build uses a Divine Soul Sorcerer to boost inflict wounds 5e with metamagic. Use Quickened Spell to cast inflict wounds 5e as a bonus action. Use Twinned Spell when only one target is allowed. Use Distant Spell to extend the touch range of inflict wounds 5e. Pair this with tips from Reddit that recommend using a familiar to deliver the spell safely. Combine metamagic options to get maximum damage output from inflict wounds 5e while keeping the caster at a safe distance.

Build Considerations

Pure spellcasting progression gives more spell slots and stronger spells over time. Multiclass options add extra features like Channel Divinity or metamagic. Early levels favor high burst damage from inflict wounds 5e with strong class features. At higher levels, damage output may differ based on spell slot availability and extra abilities. Choose the build that fits your play style. Use inflict wounds 5e to create a strong burst-damage caster or combine it with other class features for a versatile character.

DM Tips and Rule Considerations for Inflict Wounds 5e

Rulings and Clarifications

Melee spell attacks in inflict wounds 5e use the caster’s spellcasting modifier. For Clerics, this is Wisdom. For Sorcerers or Paladins, it is Charisma. The spell does not use weapon attack modifiers. Many players wonder if inflict wounds 5e can trigger Sneak Attack. The answer is no. Sneak Attack applies only to melee weapon attacks. Inflict wounds 5e remains a spell attack.

Balancing the Spell

Inflict wounds 5e may seem overpowered because it deals high burst necrotic damage. The spell requires a touch attack and risks exposing the caster in melee. DMs can adjust encounters by using enemies that have resistance or immunity to necrotic damage. DMs may also design fights that challenge close combat. This helps balance spellcasters who rely on high burst damage like inflict wounds 5e.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can inflict wounds 5e be used to knock a creature unconscious?
  A melee spell attack that reduces a creature to 0 hit points can knock it unconscious, as ruled in the Sage Advice Compendium.
• Does inflict wounds 5e count as a melee attack for triggering class features?
  It is a melee spell attack. It does not count as a melee weapon attack and does not trigger features like Sneak Attack.
• How does upcasting impact its overall damage output?
  Upcasting inflict wounds 5e adds 1d10 necrotic damage per slot level above 1st. This makes the spell scale well and increases its burst damage potential.

Comparing Inflict Wounds 5e with Other Damage Options

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Inflict wounds 5e is a burst damage spell used in close combat. It deals strong necrotic damage with a touch-range attack. Guiding Bolt is a 1st-level spell that uses ranged attacks. Guiding Bolt deals radiant damage and gives the next attacker advantage. Inflict wounds 5e has higher burst damage on average. It requires you to be near the enemy. Guiding Bolt works from a distance and helps your allies get extra damage. Each spell shows different strengths. Inflict wounds 5e is best when you are in melee combat. Guiding Bolt is good when you need range and extra benefits for your team.

When to Choose Inflict Wounds 5e

Inflict wounds 5e works best when you are close to your target. Its burst damage is most effective in tight battles. Use it when you can get advantage on your attack roll. This may happen when an enemy is paralyzed or held by a condition. Some casters choose inflict wounds 5e for its high immediate damage. Other casters may choose spells like Guiding Bolt when the party needs range or when giving allies an extra boost is important. Your choice depends on party makeup and the combat situation. Use inflict wounds 5e when you need strong burst damage in melee combat.

Conclusion

Inflict wounds 5e is a powerful 1st-level necromancy spell that deals high burst damage in close combat. It uses a melee spell attack with a touch range and scales well when upcast. The spell is popular with Clerics, Paladins, and select Sorcerers. Builds like the Death Cleric Burst Caster or the Divine Soul Sorcerer Optimization show how to maximize its damage through class features, metamagic, and synergy with abilities like Channel Divinity or familiars. This guide covered its mechanics, optimal uses, and ways to integrate inflict wounds 5e into various character concepts.

Try different builds and share your own tips with the community. Leave your comments, questions, and ideas for using inflict wounds 5e in your campaigns. Your feedback can help others learn and inspire new ways to play.

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