Barkskin
Level 2 · Transmutation
- Utility
Carried by druid and ranger, Barkskin operates at the 2nd level of the transmutation school. Cast time: Bonus Action. Range Touch, components V/S/M, duration 1 hour. Material: a handful of bark. Effect: You touch a willing creature.
Stat Block
- Level
- 2
- School
- Transmutation
- Casting Time
- Bonus Action
- Range / Area
- Touch
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- 1 Hour
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Druid, Ranger
- Material
- a handful of bark
Description
You touch a willing creature. Until the spell ends, the target's skin assumes a bark-like appearance, and the target has an Armor Class of 17 if its AC is lower than that.
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
Transmutation is the most flexible school. The same Polymorph that turns a hostile giant into a sheep can turn the party rogue into a giant ape three rounds later. Barkskin is Transmutation because the spell rewrites a property of a body, an object, or terrain. At level 2, Barkskin sits in the mid-tier slot competition.
Class Fit
- Druid: Druids prepare Barkskin from the full list each day, but the Wild Shape economy means prep cycles look different from a Cleric's. Casting Barkskin leaves the Action free — most builds spend it on a cantrip or weapon attack.
- Ranger: Rangers know a fixed list. Barkskin stays on the sheet for years once taken, so the pick is a long-term build decision. The Bonus-Action timing on Barkskin blocks any other Bonus-Action spell that turn — only one per round.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Barkskin
- What level spell is Barkskin?
- In D&D 5e, Barkskin is classified as a level 2 spell of the Transmutation school. Available classes: Druid, Ranger.
- What is the range of Barkskin?
- Touch range on Barkskin means the caster has to make physical contact with the target.
- How long does Barkskin last?
- The duration on Barkskin is 1 hour, with no concentration required.
- What components and casting time does Barkskin need?
- the components are V, S, M. Material component: a handful of bark; the casting time is bonus action (not a standard Action).