3. Bestow Curse 5e ~ future.housing.org.uk

The curse within Dungeons & Dragons is a powerful magic spell. It forces the target to deal with the unfavorable magical effect. Dungeons & Dragons is a famous tabletop role-playing with a wide array of magic spells with various capabilities and applications, including Bestow Curse, which is one of the most detrimental spells in D&D. Targeting enemy creatures, it afflicts them with an assortment of debilitating conditions that can severely hinder their effectiveness in combat or other situations. Employing Bestow Curse strategically can give you a significant advantage, weakening your foes and making them vulnerable to attack and maneuvering. Analyzing the intricacies of this spell, one can harness its malevolent power for their strategic benefit.

This versatile spell can bring forth an array of dire consequences upon its target. It can reduce their ability scores, diminishing their physical prowess or mental acuity. Additionally, it can inflict them with disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws, further impairing their effectiveness. The judicious use of Bestow Curse can significantly cripple an enemy’s capabilities, rendering them less formidable in encounters. Moreover, this potent spell can inflict a myriad of other debilitating conditions, such as vulnerability to specific damage types, hindering their resilience against certain attacks. The tactical implications of Bestow Curse are vast, allowing astute players to gain an upper hand in combat or other encounters.

To cast Bestow Curse, one must possess the requisite spellcasting ability and be proficient in the art of enchantment. Once invoked, the spell’s effects linger for an extended duration, making it a potent tool for sustained harassment or disruption. However, like any potent magic, Bestow Curse is not without its limitations. Its casting time can be protracted, making it somewhat vulnerable to interruption. Moreover, its effects can be dispelled by certain spells or abilities, rendering it susceptible to countermeasures by capable opponents. Understanding these limitations and employing Bestow Curse strategically will enable players to maximize its potential while minimizing its risks.

Understanding Bestow Curse in 5e

Bestow Curse is a potent 3rd-level necromancy spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5e that allows a caster to inflict a debilitating curse upon a target creature. The curse’s effects can vary widely, making it a versatile spell that can be tailored to specific situations. To fully grasp the intricacies of Bestow Curse, it’s essential to delve into its mechanics and explore the diverse array of curses it offers.

Spellcasting and Duration

To cast Bestow Curse, a caster must make a ranged spell attack against a willing or unwilling target within 60 feet. On a successful hit, the target is subjected to the spell’s effects for the duration, which lasts for up to 1 minute. However, the duration can be extended through concentration, allowing the caster to maintain the curse for as long as they remain concentrated.

Curse Options

The spell offers a variety of curses to choose from, each with its own unique effect. These curses are categorized into three types: mind-affecting, debilitating, and miscellaneous. Mind-affecting curses alter the target’s mental state, such as causing confusion or paranoia. Debilitating curses impair the target’s physical abilities, such as reducing their speed or strength. Miscellaneous curses impose a wider range of effects, including causing bad luck or preventing healing.

Curse Type	Curses
Mind-affecting	Confusion, Fear, Paranoia
Debilitating	Disease, Weakness, Slow
Miscellaneous	Clumsiness, Misfortune, Vulnerability

Curse Selection

Selecting the appropriate curse for the situation is crucial to maximizing the spell’s effectiveness. Mind-affecting curses can be particularly potent against enemies that rely heavily on their intelligence or wisdom, such as wizards or clerics. Debilitating curses can cripple opponents who focus on physical prowess, such as fighters or barbarians. Miscellaneous curses offer a wide range of utility, from disrupting enemy plans to making them more susceptible to damage.

Effects and Mechanics of the Curse

Bestow Curse is a 3rd-level necromancy spell that allows the caster to inflict a debilitating curse upon a target creature. The curse lasts for the duration of the spell, or until the target creature succeeds on a Wisdom saving throw. The curse has the following effects:

Types of Curses

The caster of Bestow Curse can choose one of the following curses to inflict upon the target:

Curse	Effect
Curse of Weakness	The target’s Strength is reduced by 2d4 until the spell ends.
Curse of Vulnerability	The target has disadvantage on saving throws against attacks that deal damage of a type the target is vulnerable to.
Curse of Fatigue	The target has disadvantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws.
Curse of Pain	The target takes 1d4 necrotic damage at the start of each of its turns.
Curse of Stunned	The target’s speed is reduced by 10 feet, and it has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.

The caster can also choose to inflict a custom curse, with the DM’s approval. The custom curse must be of a similar power level to the listed curses.

Casting the Bestow Curse Spell

To cast Bestow Curse, you must be at least level 3 in the bard, cleric, druid, warlock, or wizard class. The spell has a casting time of one action and a range of 60 feet. You must choose a creature you can see within range as the target of the spell. Once you choose the target, you must choose one of the following curses:

Curse	Effect
Curse of Binding	The target’s speed is halved.
Curse of Doom	The target has disadvantage on death saving throws.
Curse of Fragility	The target has vulnerability to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage of your choice.
Curse of Misfortune	The target has disadvantage on ability checks.
Curse of Weakness	The target has disadvantage on attack rolls and Strength checks.

The curse lasts for 1 minute, or until the target makes a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. The target has advantage on the saving throw if you choose the Curse of Binding, and disadvantage if you choose the Curse of Doom.

You can cast Bestow Curse multiple times, but each time you do so, you must choose a different target. The spell also requires concentration, so if you lose concentration on the spell, the curse ends.

Bestow Curse can be a powerful spell, but it is important to choose the right curse for the situation. For example, the Curse of Binding can be effective against spellcasters, while the Curse of Doom can be useful against creatures that are already injured. Ultimately, the best way to use Bestow Curse is to experiment and see what works best for you.

Curse Options and Customization

Bestow Curse offers a versatile array of curse options that cater to different character builds and tactical strategies. The options are as follows:

Banishment – Excludes one creature from certain areas, effectively confining them.
Blight – Withers plants and creatures, causing damage and vulnerability to further damage.
Confusion – Jumbles the target’s mind, causing them to attack allies and potentially themselves.
Deafness – Blocks out all sound for the target, hindering communication and awareness.
Disease – Inflicts a debilitating ailment that impairs the target’s physical and mental abilities.
Feeblemind – Reduces the target’s Intelligence to 1, crippling their cognitive functions.
Illness – Causes fever, chills, and fatigue, hindering the target’s performance.
Lycanthropy – Transforms the target into a lycanthrope, a cursed creature with lupine features and abilities.
Maddening Whispers – Torments the target with a constant stream of unsettling whispers, causing madness.
Weakness – Impairs the target’s physical prowess, making them vulnerable to attacks.

Customization

In addition to the standard curse options, the spell text provides guidelines for customizing and creating your own curses. These guidelines include:

Duration: Determine the length of time the curse will last.
Saving Throw: Establish the saving throw the target must pass to resist the curse.
Removal: Define the conditions or methods by which the curse can be removed or broken.
Effects: Describe the specific effects of the curse, including any penalties, impairments, or benefits it may inflict.

Example Custom Curse:

Name	Duration	Saving Throw	Removal
Curse of Weakness	1 hour	CON	A successful saving throw or the consumption of a potion of greater healing
Effects	The target suffers disadvantage on Strength ability checks and saving throws.

Targeting and Duration of the Curse

Bestow Curse targets one creature. The target must be within range (60 feet) and can be seen by the caster. The curse lasts for a specific duration, depending on the level of the spell cast. The duration can be extended by casting the spell again at a higher level. The target is not aware of the curse until it manifests.

Duration of the Curse

| Spell Level | Duration |
|—|—|
| 3rd | 1 hour |
| 5th | 8 hours |
| 7th | 24 hours |
| 9th | 7 days |

Resistance and Removal of Bestow Curse

The bestowed curse can be resisted or removed using various methods:

Resistance

A creature can resist the curse effect by succeeding on a saving throw against the caster’s spell save DC. If the creature succeeds, the curse has no effect.

Magic Removal

A dispel magic spell can be cast at the cursed creature, potentially suppressing or removing the curse. The DC of the saving throw to resist this spell is 10 + the level of the Bestow Curse spell.

Greater Restoration

The greater restoration spell can fully remove the curse from the target, restoring their abilities and removing any detrimental effects.

Wish

The wish spell can be used to alter the rules governing the game, including removing curses. However, fulfilling such a request is subject to the limitations and whims of the wish spell.

Divine Intervention

A cleric or paladin can attempt to remove the curse through divine intervention, seeking the aid of their deity. The success of this method often depends on the alignment of the deity and the severity of the curse.

Other Methods

Specific quests or rituals may exist within the game’s lore or setting that can remove curses. These methods vary depending on the specific campaign or adventure.

Resistance Method	Spell	DC
Saving Throw	Caster’s Spell Save DC	—
Dispel Magic	Greater Restoration	10 + Bestow Curse Spell Level
Wish	Wish	Varies by DM

Tactical Uses in Combat

Unfavorable Conditions

Bestow Curse can impose disadvantage on a variety of saving throws, including Dexterity saves for initiative and Strength saves for grappling. This can significantly disrupt the enemy’s ability to act effectively in combat.

Worsened Ability Checks

The curse can also impose disadvantage on ability checks, making it difficult for enemies to perform key actions such as casting spells or using skills. This can be especially effective against enemies that rely heavily on specific abilities.

Delayed Damage

Unlike many other damage spells, Bestow Curse deals damage over time. This can be advantageous in situations where you want to focus fire on a single target without killing them outright.

3rd-Level Curse

Effect	Description
Deafness	The target becomes deafened, suffering disadvantage on Perception checks that rely on hearing and on initiative rolls.
Mute	The target is unable to speak, suffering disadvantage on Charisma checks that rely on speech.
Blindness	The target is blinded, suffering disadvantage on attack rolls and Perception checks that rely on sight.

Bestow Curse in Different Campaign Settings

The spell bestow curse can manifest in various ways depending on the campaign setting.

Forgotten Realms

In the Forgotten Realms, the curse typically takes the form of a physical or mental affliction. For instance, it could cause headaches, nausea, or nightmares. Additionally, it may manifest as a vulnerability to a specific type of damage or an inability to use certain skills.

Eberron

In Eberron, the curse often relates to the gods. It could manifest as a loss of divine favor, the attention of an angry god, or the activation of an ancient curse. The specific effects vary widely depending on the god involved.

Dragonlance

In Dragonlance, the curse is typically tied to the dragon gods. It could result in the loss of a particular trait or ability, such as flight, fire breath, or the ability to speak. Additionally, it may cause the dragon to suffer from nightmares or hallucinations.

Ravenloft

In Ravenloft, the curse is often related to the Dark Powers that reside in the Domains of Dread. It could manifest as a physical or mental affliction, a vulnerability to certain types of damage, or the inability to escape a specific domain.

Greyhawk

In Greyhawk, the curse is typically tied to the ancient gods of the Oerth pantheon. It could result in the loss of a follower, the wrath of a particular god, or the activation of an ancient curse. The specific effects vary depending on the god involved.

Mystara

In Mystara, the curse is often associated with the elemental forces of the world. It could manifest as a vulnerability to a specific type of damage, the inability to use certain elemental spells, or the summoning of elemental creatures.

Theros

In Theros, the curse is typically related to the gods of the pantheon. It could result in the loss of a particular blessing, the wrath of a particular god, or the activation of an ancient curse. The specific effects vary depending on the god involved.

Planescape

In Planescape, the curse is often tied to the various factions and planes of existence. It could manifest as a change in alignment, the loss of a particular ability, or the banishment to a specific plane of existence.

Roleplaying Implications and Consequences

Bestowing a curse upon another character has profound implications for both the caster and the target. Players should carefully consider the roleplaying consequences before casting Bestow Curse 5e.

Targeting an Ally

If a player chooses to bestow a curse upon an ally, this action can significantly impact the party dynamic. The targeted ally may feel betrayed or resentful, leading to tension and conflict within the group. Players should weigh the potential benefits of bestowing a curse against the potential damage it can cause to relationships within the party.

Targeting an Enemy

Bestowing a curse upon an enemy can be an effective way to weaken or incapacitate them. However, players should be mindful of the ethical implications of cursing another character. Some players may view curses as an unfair or cruel way to attack an opponent. Players should consider their own moral compass and the motivations of their characters before using Bestow Curse 5e against an enemy.

Consequences of Removing a Curse

Removing a curse can be difficult and costly, both in terms of resources and time. Players may need to seek out powerful magic items or NPCs who can help them dispel the curse. The process of removing a curse can be dangerous, as the caster may need to face the original target of the curse. Players should consider all of these factors before deciding to remove a curse.

Curses and Roleplaying

Curses can be a powerful tool for roleplaying. They can create conflict, tension, and drama within a campaign. Players can use curses to explore the darker aspects of their characters or to create compelling villains. Curses can also be used to add a sense of mystery and intrigue to a campaign.

Variations and Homebrew Enhancements

Hex Curse

This variation allows warlocks to cast Bestow Curse through their Hex spell, enhancing its effects. The curse’s duration becomes equal to the Hex’s, and the target suffers disadvantage on all saving throws against spells cast by the warlock.

Paladin’s Oath

Paladins can add Bestow Curse to their spell list, enabling them to bolster their allies with protective auras or weaken their enemies with curses tailored to their oaths.

Bardic Inspiration

Bards can utilize Bestow Curse to bestow a bonus to their allies’ saving throws or add an additional curse effect, such as reducing the target’s speed or imposing vulnerability to a specific damage type.

Cleric’s Blessings

Clerics can use Bestow Curse to extend the reach of their blessings by granting their allies temporary hit points or resistance to specific damage types.

Enhancements

Curse of Exhaustion

This curse imposes the Exhaustion condition on the target, penalizing their ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls.

Curse of Weakness

The curse decreases the target’s Strength or Dexterity by 1d4, impairing their physical abilities.

Curse of Madness

The curse subjects the target to random illusions or causes them to perceive allies as enemies, disrupting their coordination.

Curse of Vulnerability

The curse increases the target’s vulnerability to a specific damage type, making them more susceptible to certain attacks.

Curse of Decay

The curse causes the target to suffer gradual damage over time, weakening their defenses and endurance.

Curse of Isolation

The curse forces the target to treat all creatures as hostile, causing them to become isolated and vulnerable to attacks from multiple directions.

Curse of Silence

The curse prevents the target from speaking or casting spells with verbal components, silencing their communications and spellcasting abilities.

Curse of Illusions

The curse makes the target vulnerable to illusions, rendering them more susceptible to being misled or deceived by magical effects.

Curse of Entropy

The curse causes the target to age rapidly, deteriorating their physical and mental capabilities.

Curse of Paralysis

The curse paralyzes the target, rendering them unable to move or take actions.

Bestow Curse 5e: A Powerful Malediction

Bestow Curse is a potent 3rd-level necromancy spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition that allows a caster to place a lingering debuff on a target. This curse can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on the specific curse chosen by the caster. The spell is remarkably versatile and can be used to hinder an enemy’s movement, damage, or save throws. It can also be employed to weaken a target’s defenses or even force them to obey the caster’s commands.

One of the key strengths of Bestow Curse is its duration. The curse lasts for up to 1 hour, meaning it can have a significant impact on the target over the course of an encounter. It also requires concentration, so the caster must maintain focus while the curse is active. However, if the concentration is broken, the curse ends prematurely.