Bane
Level 1 · Enchantment
- Concentration
- Save
Bane (bard, cleric, and warlock) casts from a 1st-level slot in the enchantment school. Cast time: Action. Range 30 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 1 minute. Material: a drop of blood. Marked concentration. Effect: Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must each make a Charisma saving throw. At higher levels: You can target one additional creature for each spell slot level above 1.
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Warlock
- Material
- a drop of blood
Description
Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must each make a Charisma saving throw. Whenever a target that fails this save makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must subtract 1d4 from the attack roll or save.
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
Enchantment spells touch the place behind the eyes. They cannot move a target's body if the target has no body to move — which is why so many bypass undead and constructs. Bane reads as Enchantment because the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. At level 1, Bane is affordable in any caster's daily plan.
Class Fit
- Bard: A Charisma-focused Bard casts Bane at the spell-save DC for the build's primary stat; that DC is competitive at most tables. Bane has an at-higher-levels rule; the spell's per-slot scaling makes upcasting worthwhile in the right context.
- Cleric: Domain-bonus spells fill some of the Cleric's prep automatically; check whether the chosen Domain already grants Bane before manual prepping. Keep in mind that Bane ends the moment the caster takes concentration off it for any reason.
- Warlock: Invocations cover a lot of utility a Warlock would otherwise spell-cast. Bane earns its slot when invocations don't cover the same need. Bane's concentration requirement makes it vulnerable to a single failed save when the caster takes damage.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Bless's opposite. -1d4 to enemy attacks and saves. Concentration. Targets get a Cha save to resist. Best on a single boss with poor Cha; less effective on multiple targets where one save can break the spell's value.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Bane
- What level spell is Bane?
- The spell Bane is a level 1 spell in the Enchantment school. Bard, Cleric, Warlock all have access to it.
- What save does Bane require?
- Targets of Bane make a Charisma saving throw against the caster's spell save DC. On a success, the spell's effect is reduced or negated; see the description for exact terms.
- What is the range of Bane?
- The range on Bane is 30 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- Is Bane a concentration spell?
- Bane runs on concentration for up to 1 minute. The caster can drop it on their next turn or lose it to a failed save after taking damage.
- What components and casting time does Bane need?
- Note: the cast needs V, S, M. Beyond that — Material component: a drop of blood.
- Can Bane be upcast?
- Yes — You can target one additional creature for each spell slot level above 1.