Bestow Curse 5e: A Comprehensive Guide to Afflicting Your Foes
Bestow Curse is a versatile and powerful spell in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e) that allows you to inflict a debilitating curse upon a creature. Unlike some other spells that deal direct damage or provide immediate benefits, Bestow Curse offers a longer-term, strategic advantage by weakening your enemies and hindering their actions. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of Bestow Curse, covering its mechanics, optimal uses, limitations, and how to effectively integrate it into your campaigns.
## Understanding Bestow Curse
Before diving into the specifics, let’s take a look at the core mechanics of the Bestow Curse spell:
* **School:** Transmutation
* **Level:** 3rd
* **Casting Time:** 1 action
* **Range:** Touch
* **Components:** V, S
* **Duration:** Concentration, up to 1 minute (or until removed)
* **Classes:** Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
* **Full Spell Description:** You touch a creature and curse it for the duration. When you cast the spell, choose the nature of the curse from the following options:
* Choose one ability score. While cursed, the target has disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws made with that ability score.
* While cursed, the target has disadvantage on attack rolls against you.
* While cursed, the target must make a Wisdom saving throw at the start of each of its turns. If it fails, it wastes its action that turn doing nothing.
* While cursed, your attack rolls and saving throws against the target are made with advantage.
**At Higher Levels:** If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the duration is concentration, up to 10 minutes. If you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the duration is 8 hours. If you use a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the duration is 24 hours. If you use a spell slot of 9th level, the spell lasts until it is ended by dispel magic or a similar effect.
## Step-by-Step Casting Guide
Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved in casting Bestow Curse:
1. **Choose Your Target:** Identify the creature you want to curse. Remember that the range is touch, so you’ll need to be within physical contact of the target. This might require careful positioning or the use of other spells or abilities to get close safely.
2. **Select the Curse Effect:** This is the most crucial decision. Carefully consider the target’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the overall combat situation, to choose the curse effect that will have the greatest impact. We’ll discuss the optimal choices in detail later.
3. **Cast the Spell:** Perform the verbal and somatic components of the spell. If you’re playing in person, clearly announce that you’re casting Bestow Curse and specify the chosen effect.
4. **Touch the Target:** Successfully touch the target. If you’re in combat, this likely requires making a melee touch attack. A successful hit means the spell takes effect.
5. **Maintain Concentration:** Bestow Curse initially requires concentration. Be mindful of taking damage or being subjected to effects that could break your concentration, as the curse will end prematurely if you lose focus. Consider using spells or abilities that protect your concentration, such as War Caster feat or spells like Shield.
6. **Reap the Benefits (or End the Curse):** Depending on the chosen effect, the curse will begin to hinder the target. Observe how the curse affects the target and adjust your strategy accordingly. If necessary, you can choose to end the curse early (no action required). Remember, upcasting the spell allows for longer durations without concentration.
## Choosing the Right Curse Effect: A Detailed Analysis
The effectiveness of Bestow Curse hinges on selecting the appropriate curse effect for the specific situation. Let’s analyze each option in detail:
### 1. Disadvantage on Ability Checks and Saving Throws
* **How it works:** You choose one ability score (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma). The target then suffers disadvantage on all ability checks and saving throws using that ability score.
* **When to use it:**
* **Targeting Weaknesses:** This is a powerful option when you know the target has a particularly low score in a specific ability. For example, if you’re fighting a hulking brute with low Intelligence, cursing their Intelligence can make them vulnerable to mind-affecting spells and illusions.
* **Disrupting Key Abilities:** Consider which ability score is most important for the target’s function in combat. Cursing a spellcaster’s Wisdom can make them more susceptible to your spells. Cursing a melee fighter’s Strength can reduce their effectiveness in combat.
* **Setting up Allies:** Coordinate with your allies to exploit the curse. If you curse a target’s Dexterity, your rogue ally might have an easier time landing sneak attacks.
* **Examples:**
* **Strength:** Against a powerful melee fighter to reduce their effectiveness with Strength-based attacks and skills like Athletics.
* **Dexterity:** Against a nimble enemy to make them easier to hit and more vulnerable to Dexterity-based saving throws.
* **Constitution:** Against a creature reliant on concentration spells or abilities, making them more likely to fail concentration checks.
* **Intelligence:** Against a tactician or spellcaster with low Intelligence to disrupt their strategies or make them vulnerable to illusions and mind control.
* **Wisdom:** Against a creature with high Wisdom, such as a cleric or paladin, to disrupt their spellcasting and decision-making.
* **Charisma:** Against a social manipulator or someone who relies on Charisma-based skills like Persuasion or Deception.
* **Considerations:**
* **Target’s Ability Scores:** Knowing your enemy is crucial. Identify their weak points to maximize the impact of this curse.
* **Party Composition:** Consider how this curse synergizes with your allies’ abilities and strategies.
### 2. Disadvantage on Attack Rolls Against You
* **How it works:** The target has disadvantage on all attack rolls made against you.
* **When to use it:**
* **Self-Preservation:** This is a defensive option that significantly increases your survivability, particularly against single, powerful attackers.
* **Tanking/Drawing Aggro:** If you’re playing a character with high AC or hit points, this curse can help you draw the enemy’s attention and protect your more vulnerable allies. Consider combining this with spells that further enhance your defenses.
* **Low AC Characters:** This option becomes particularly valuable if your character has a lower Armor Class, making you a more frequent target for enemy attacks.
* **Examples:**
* Against a powerful melee boss to reduce their chance of hitting you.
* When you are outnumbered and need to increase your chances of survival.
* When you want to protect a weaker ally by drawing the enemy’s attention.
* **Considerations:**
* **Number of Enemies:** This is less effective against groups of enemies, as only attacks against you are affected.
* **Ally Positioning:** Encourage your allies to position themselves strategically to benefit from the enemy focusing on you.
* **Alternative Defenses:** Weigh this option against other defensive spells or abilities you might have.
### 3. Wasted Action on Failed Wisdom Saving Throw
* **How it works:** At the start of each of the target’s turns, they must make a Wisdom saving throw. If they fail, they waste their action for that turn.
* **When to use it:**
* **Disrupting Actions:** This is a highly disruptive curse that can severely hamper a creature’s ability to act effectively. It’s particularly useful against enemies who rely on single, powerful actions.
* **Action Economy Control:** By forcing the target to potentially waste their action, you gain an advantage in action economy, allowing your party to act more effectively.
* **High-Value Targets:** Focus this curse on enemies who have the potential to deal significant damage or cast powerful spells.
* **Examples:**
* Against a spellcaster to prevent them from casting crucial spells.
* Against a powerful melee fighter to stop them from making attacks.
* Against a boss monster with a limited number of actions.
* **Considerations:**
* **Target’s Wisdom Save:** The effectiveness of this curse depends on the target’s Wisdom saving throw proficiency. Creatures with high Wisdom saves are less likely to be affected.
* **Action Dependency:** This curse is less effective against creatures that can take meaningful actions as bonus actions or reactions.
* **Alternative Control Effects:** Compare this to other control spells like Hold Person or Tasha’s Hideous Laughter.
### 4. Advantage on Attack Rolls and Saving Throws Against the Target
* **How it works:** Your attack rolls and saving throws against the target are made with advantage.
* **When to use it:**
* **Offensive Boost:** This is a purely offensive option that significantly increases your chance of hitting the target and succeeding on saving throws against their abilities.
* **Synergy with Saving Throw Spells:** If you rely on spells that require the target to make saving throws (e.g., Hold Person, Fireball), this curse can greatly improve your chances of success.
* **Critical Hit Fishing:** Advantage increases your chances of rolling a critical hit, which can be devastating against vulnerable targets.
* **Examples:**
* Against a heavily armored target to improve your chances of hitting them.
* When you need to land a crucial saving throw spell on the target.
* When you want to maximize your damage output against a single target.
* **Considerations:**
* **Target’s AC and Saves:** This is less effective against targets with extremely low AC or high saving throw bonuses.
* **Party Coordination:** Coordinate with your allies to focus fire on the cursed target.
* **Alternative Offensive Options:** Weigh this option against other offensive spells or abilities you might have.
## Upcasting Bestow Curse
As mentioned earlier, upcasting Bestow Curse significantly improves its duration, making it a much more potent spell. Here’s a breakdown:
* **4th Level:** Concentration, up to 10 minutes.
* **5th Level:** 8 hours (no concentration).
* **7th Level:** 24 hours (no concentration).
* **9th Level:** Until dispelled (no concentration).
The benefits of upcasting are substantial:
* **Longer Duration:** The extended duration allows you to maintain the curse throughout an entire combat encounter or even for an extended period of time, providing a sustained advantage.
* **No Concentration:** Removing the concentration requirement frees you up to cast other concentration spells or focus on other tasks without worrying about losing the curse.
* **Strategic Applications:** Upcasting to 8 hours or 24 hours opens up strategic possibilities outside of combat. You could potentially curse a creature before a crucial negotiation or social encounter.
## Optimizing Your Bestow Curse Strategy
Here are some tips and strategies for maximizing the effectiveness of Bestow Curse:
* **Know Your Enemy:** Thoroughly assess your target’s strengths and weaknesses before choosing the curse effect. This requires careful observation or using abilities like *Identify* or *Divination*.
* **Coordinate with Your Party:** Communicate with your allies to choose a curse effect that synergizes with their abilities and strategies. A well-coordinated party can exploit the curse to devastating effect.
* **Consider the Environment:** The environment can influence your choice of curse. For example, in a dimly lit area, cursing a creature’s Wisdom might be more effective due to their reduced Perception.
* **Be Mindful of Concentration:** When casting Bestow Curse at its base level, prioritize protecting your concentration. Consider using spells or abilities that grant advantage on concentration saving throws or increase your AC.
* **Upcast When Possible:** Upcasting Bestow Curse is almost always a worthwhile investment, especially when you need to maintain the curse for an extended period or free up your concentration.
* **Consider Metamagic (Sorcerers):** Sorcerers can use Metamagic options like *Subtle Spell* to cast Bestow Curse without verbal or somatic components, making it harder to detect. *Twinned Spell* isn’t applicable as you are targeting a single creature.
* **Use Divination Spells:** Spells like *Divination* or *Augury* can help you predict the outcome of using Bestow Curse in a particular situation.
* **Read Your DM’s Style:** Some DMs allow creative interpretations of the curse effects. For instance, some might allow a curse on Charisma to influence a creature’s appearance, giving them disadvantage on social interactions even before they speak.
## Limitations and Considerations
While Bestow Curse is a powerful spell, it has limitations to be aware of:
* **Touch Range:** The touch range requires you to be in close proximity to the target, which can be risky in combat.
* **Saving Throw (for Wasted Action):** The Wisdom saving throw for the wasted action effect means that creatures with high Wisdom saves are less likely to be affected.
* **Spell Resistance/Immunity:** Some creatures are resistant or immune to spells that cause curses or require saving throws. Research your target beforehand if possible.
* **Dispel Magic:** Bestow Curse can be removed by *Dispel Magic* or similar effects, especially when upcasted to its highest level.
* **Ethical Considerations:** Consider the ethical implications of cursing someone, especially if you’re playing a good-aligned character. Some DMs may penalize characters who abuse the spell.
## Bestow Curse in Different Campaign Settings
The effectiveness and flavor of Bestow Curse can vary depending on the campaign setting:
* **High Fantasy:** In a classic high fantasy setting, Bestow Curse can be used to weaken powerful monsters, disrupt enemy spellcasters, or even curse rival nobles.
* **Gothic Horror:** In a gothic horror setting, the curse can take on a darker, more thematic tone, reflecting the themes of dread and despair. The curse might manifest as physical deformities or psychological torment.
* **Urban Fantasy:** In an urban fantasy setting, Bestow Curse could be used to curse corrupt officials, gang leaders, or even supernatural entities lurking in the shadows.
* **Sci-Fi Fantasy:** In a setting that blends science fiction and fantasy, the curse might be re-flavored as a technological virus or a psionic attack.
## Roleplaying with Bestow Curse
Bestow Curse offers plenty of opportunities for roleplaying:
* **Verbal Components:** The verbal components of the spell can be customized to reflect your character’s personality and background. A cleric might recite a prayer, while a warlock might utter a dark incantation.
* **Physical Manifestations:** The effects of the curse can be visually described to enhance the roleplaying experience. A cursed creature might develop a limp, twitch, or other physical ailment.
* **Emotional Impact:** Consider the emotional impact of the curse on both the target and the caster. The target might feel a sense of dread, despair, or anger, while the caster might experience a sense of satisfaction, guilt, or fear.
* **Backstory Integration:** Incorporate the history and lore of curses into your character’s backstory. Perhaps they learned the spell from a forbidden tome or inherited a family curse.
## Example Scenarios
Here are some example scenarios illustrating how Bestow Curse can be used effectively:
* **Scenario 1: Fighting a Dragon:** The party is facing a powerful red dragon. The cleric casts Bestow Curse, cursing the dragon’s Strength. This reduces the dragon’s effectiveness in melee combat, making it easier for the party’s melee fighters to survive.
* **Scenario 2: Negotiating with a King:** The party needs to negotiate with a king known for his stubbornness. The warlock casts Bestow Curse, cursing the king’s Charisma. This makes him more susceptible to persuasion, allowing the party to secure a favorable outcome.
* **Scenario 3: Investigating a Haunted House:** The party is exploring a haunted house and encounters a malevolent spirit. The wizard casts Bestow Curse, cursing the spirit’s Wisdom. This disrupts its ability to cast spells and use its supernatural abilities, making it easier to banish.
* **Scenario 4: Facing a Powerful Spellcaster:** The party is battling a powerful enemy wizard. The cleric uses Bestow Curse to inflict disadvantage on the wizard’s Constitution saving throws, making them more vulnerable to spells like *Hold Person* cast by the party’s wizard.
## Conclusion
Bestow Curse 5e is a powerful and versatile spell that can significantly impact combat encounters and social interactions. By carefully considering the target’s weaknesses, coordinating with your party, and understanding the limitations of the spell, you can use Bestow Curse to turn the tide of battle and achieve your objectives. Remember to upcast whenever possible to extend the duration and free up your concentration. And don’t forget to roleplay the curse to enhance the overall gaming experience. With practice and creativity, Bestow Curse can become an indispensable tool in your spellcasting arsenal.