Arcane Sword
Level 7 · Evocation
- Concentration
- Attack Roll
- Summon
Listed under evocation, Arcane Sword costs a 7th-level slot for bard and wizard casters. Cast time: Action. Range 90 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 1 minute. Material: a miniature sword worth 250+ GP. Marked concentration. Effect: You create a spectral sword that hovers within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 7
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 90 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Wizard
- Material
- a miniature sword worth 250+ GP
Description
You create a spectral sword that hovers within range. It lasts for the duration. When the sword appears, you make a melee spell attack against a target within 5 feet of the sword. On a hit, the target takes Force damage equal to 4d12 plus your spellcasting ability modifier. On your later turns, you can take a Bonus Action to move the sword up to 30 feet to a spot you can see and repeat the attack against the same target or a different one.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
The school of Evocation is the school of options visible at the cast. The cone, the line, the sphere — Evocation spells show their geometry, and the caster decides who is inside it. Arcane Sword earns the school tag through the spell focuses magical energy into a visible, immediate effect. At level 7, a single cast of Arcane Sword can be the most important action of the adventuring day.
Class Fit
- Bard: Lore Bards reach Magical Secrets at level 6 and 10, which changes the calculus on Arcane Sword: if a non-Bard list has it cheaper, Magical Secrets is the way in. As a concentration spell, Arcane Sword occupies the caster's single concentration slot.
- Wizard: Arcane Recovery returns one or two slots on a short rest. Arcane Sword's slot cost is therefore not exactly what the slot column says. Concentration is the binding cost — Arcane Sword can't share a slot with another concentration spell.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Arcane Sword
- What level spell is Arcane Sword?
- Arcane Sword is a level 7 spell from the Evocation school. The classes that can prepare it: Bard, Wizard.
- Does Arcane Sword require a spell attack roll?
- Arcane Sword resolves with a spell attack roll, not a save. The caster's attack bonus is their spellcasting modifier plus proficiency.
- What is the range of Arcane Sword?
- The range on Arcane Sword is 90 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- Is Arcane Sword a concentration spell?
- Yes — Arcane Sword requires concentration, lasting up to 1 minute. Casting another concentration spell ends this one; damage taken triggers a Constitution save (DC 10 or half the damage, whichever is higher) to maintain it.
- What components and casting time does Arcane Sword need?
- For Arcane Sword: the spell uses V, S, M components; on top of that, Material component: a miniature sword worth 250+ GP.