Mastering Guidance 5e: A Comprehensive Guide

The Guidance spell is a staple for any support-oriented character in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. Its simple yet potent effect provides a significant advantage in a wide variety of situations. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of Guidance, covering its mechanics, optimal usage, strategic applications, and frequently asked questions.

What is Guidance 5e?

Guidance is a cantrip available to clerics and druids, and artificers (through the Magic Initiate feat or similar means). It is a crucial spell that significantly enhances a character’s ability to succeed on ability checks. The spell description reads as follows:

Guidance

Divination cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Touch

Components: V, S

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can choose to roll the d4 before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends.

Key Features:

• Cantrip: Can be cast an unlimited number of times without expending spell slots.
• Ability Check Boost: Adds 1d4 to an ability check, averaging +2.5.
• Versatile: Usable in almost any situation involving ability checks.
• Concentration: Requires concentration, which can be broken by taking damage.
• Touch Range: Requires the caster to be within touching distance of the target.
• Willing Creature: The target must be willing to receive the spell.
• One-Time Use: The bonus applies to only one ability check. The spell ends immediately after.

Who Can Cast Guidance?

The Guidance cantrip is primarily available to the following classes:

• Cleric: A core spell for many Cleric domains.
• Druid: Fitting with their nature-focused abilities.
• Artificer: Accessible via the Magic Initiate feat (Cleric or Druid) or, at later levels, through infusions.

Other classes can gain access to Guidance through various feats, such as Magic Initiate, or through specific class features and subclasses. For instance, the Ritual Caster feat wouldn’t work since Guidance isn’t a ritual spell.

When to Use Guidance 5e: Optimal Scenarios

Guidance is incredibly versatile, but knowing when and how to use it effectively is key. Here are some common scenarios where Guidance can be invaluable:

Skill Checks:

• Stealth Checks: Applying Guidance before attempting to sneak past enemies can significantly increase the chances of success. Coordinate with the party rogue or ranger.
• Investigation Checks: Searching for clues or hidden objects becomes easier with a little magical assistance.
• Perception Checks: Spotting ambushes or noticing subtle details becomes more reliable.
• Athletics and Acrobatics Checks: Climbing, swimming, or performing daring feats benefits from the added boost.
• Survival Checks: Navigating the wilderness and finding food and water are made easier.
• Medicine Checks: Stabilizing a dying ally or diagnosing an illness can be crucial, and Guidance provides an edge.
• Arcana, History, Nature, and Religion Checks: Recalling forgotten lore or understanding magical effects is enhanced.
• Animal Handling: Calming a frightened animal or training a beast is made easier.

Saving Throws:

While Guidance specifies ability checks, there might be rare instances where a DM allows it to be applied to a saving throw that functions as an ability check. For example, a Strength saving throw to avoid being shoved might be considered an ability check by some DMs. However, this is not the standard interpretation.

Tool Checks:

• Thieves’ Tools: Picking locks becomes less risky with the added bonus.
• Disguise Kit: Creating a convincing disguise benefits from the extra help.
• Forgery Kit: Crafting believable documents is made easier.
• Navigator’s Tools: Charting a course or avoiding hazards at sea is improved.
• Vehicles (Land/Water/Air): Operating vehicles, especially in challenging conditions, is enhanced.
• Alchemist’s Supplies/Brewer’s Supplies/Poisoner’s Kit/Herbalism Kit: Crafting potions, poisons, or other concoctions becomes more reliable.

Social Interactions:

• Persuasion: Convincing someone to see your point of view is aided by Guidance.
• Deception: Lying convincingly becomes easier (although be mindful of Insight checks, which Guidance can also aid).
• Intimidation: Making a credible threat is enhanced.

Strategic Considerations: Maximizing Guidance’s Impact

To truly master Guidance, consider these strategic tips:

Pre-emptive Casting:

The most effective use of Guidance is often casting it *before* the ability check is made. Since it has a 1-minute duration, you can often anticipate situations where a check will be needed and pre-buff your ally. For example, if the party is approaching a locked door, cast Guidance on the rogue before they attempt to pick the lock. This eliminates the risk of wasting the spell if the check fails outright.

Communication is Key:

Coordinate with your party members. Ask them what they plan to do and when they might need assistance. A simple “I’m going to try and pick this lock, can I get a Guidance?” can make all the difference.

Prioritize Critical Checks:

Save Guidance for checks that are particularly important or challenging. A simple check to open a door probably doesn’t warrant the spell, but a crucial stealth check to avoid detection by a powerful enemy certainly does.

Consider Concentration:

Remember that Guidance requires concentration. Be mindful of taking damage, which can force you to make a Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration. Avoid casting Guidance if you’re likely to be attacked soon, or consider using features or spells that protect your concentration (e.g., War Caster feat).

Pairing with Other Buffs:

Guidance stacks with other buffs that affect ability checks. Combining it with Bless, for example, provides a significant advantage (+1d4 from each spell, averaging +5). However, avoid spells that specifically grant advantage, as advantage does not stack with itself. Similarly, if someone is already affected by another concentration spell you want to cast, you have to drop concentration on Guidance to cast the other spell. So you need to be aware of not only your own buffs, but the buffs cast by other party members as well.

Creative Applications:

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Guidance can be used in unexpected situations. For example, you might use it to aid a character attempting to recall a piece of forgotten lore, or to help them maintain their composure in a stressful situation (if the DM allows it as a Charisma check). Be prepared to justify your reasoning to the DM, but don’t be afraid to get creative.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even with its simplicity, there are a few common mistakes players make when using Guidance:

Forgetting Concentration:

This is the most common mistake. Always remember that Guidance requires concentration and can be broken by taking damage.

Wasting the Spell:

Casting Guidance on a check that is virtually guaranteed to succeed is a waste of a valuable resource, especially if you might need it for something more important soon. Conversely, not casting it on a check that could have disastrous consequences is also a misstep.

Misunderstanding the Timing:

The target can choose to roll the d4 either *before* or *after* making the ability check. This is a key strategic element. If the check is likely to succeed without the bonus, the character might choose to save the d4 for a later, more difficult check. However, if they know they are likely to fail, using it before could turn the tide.

Over-Reliance:

While Guidance is a powerful cantrip, don’t become overly reliant on it. There are other spells and abilities that can be just as effective, and sometimes it’s better to save your action for something else.

Interrupting Roleplay:

Be mindful of how casting Guidance affects the flow of the game. Constantly asking for Guidance can slow down the pace and detract from the roleplaying experience. Strive for a balance between optimization and immersion.

Guidance and the DM: Setting Expectations

It’s important to have an open conversation with your DM about how Guidance works in their game. Some DMs may have different interpretations of the spell’s rules or its applicability in certain situations. Clarifying these issues beforehand can prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smoother gaming experience.

For example, discuss:

• Whether Guidance can be applied to saving throws (although the RAW answer is generally no).
• How Guidance interacts with specific skill challenges or encounters.
• Whether there are any house rules that affect the spell.

Specific Examples of Guidance in Action

Let’s look at some detailed examples of how Guidance can be used in different scenarios:

Example 1: The Stealthy Approach

The party is attempting to sneak past a group of goblins guarding a bridge. The rogue, known for their stealth, is leading the way. The cleric casts Guidance on the rogue before they move forward.

Rogue: “Okay, I’m going to attempt to sneak past the goblins. I’ll move slowly and try to stay in the shadows.”

Cleric: “I’ll cast Guidance on you to help.”

The rogue rolls a Stealth check of 12. The cleric’s Guidance adds 3, bringing the total to 15. The DM determines that a 15 is sufficient to avoid detection, and the party successfully sneaks past the goblins.

Example 2: The Persuasive Argument

The party needs to convince a stubborn merchant to sell them a valuable artifact at a reasonable price. The party’s bard, known for their silver tongue, steps forward to negotiate. The druid casts Guidance on the bard before they begin their argument.

Bard: “I’ll try to persuade the merchant to give us a good deal. I’ll appeal to their sense of fairness and explain why we need the artifact.”

Druid: “I’ll cast Guidance on you to help sway their opinion.”

The bard rolls a Persuasion check of 10. The druid’s Guidance adds 1, bringing the total to 11. The bard, seeing the low roll, asks the DM if they can spend an inspiration point to reroll the check before deciding to use the Guidance. The DM allows it, but states that the bard must decide before rerolling the check if they want to use the Guidance or not. The Bard decides to take the low roll and add the +1 bonus from Guidance instead of potentially rolling lower with an inspiration die roll. The DM determines that an 11 is not enough to fully convince the merchant, but it does make them more receptive to further negotiation. The party is able to haggle and eventually reach a compromise.

Example 3: The Investigation of the Crime Scene

The party is investigating a murder scene, searching for clues to identify the culprit. The cleric decides to cast Guidance on themselves to help them focus and notice subtle details.

Cleric: “I’m going to examine the area closely for any signs of foul play. I’ll use Guidance to sharpen my senses.”

The cleric rolls an Investigation check of 15. The Guidance adds 4, bringing the total to 19. The DM reveals several key pieces of evidence that the cleric would have missed without the added bonus, allowing the party to make significant progress in their investigation.

Guidance vs. Bless: A Comparison

Many players wonder about the difference between Guidance and Bless, another common support spell. Here’s a quick comparison:

Key Differences:

• Resource Cost: Guidance is a cantrip and can be used infinitely, while Bless requires a spell slot.
• Targeting: Guidance targets only one creature, while Bless can target up to three.
• Application: Guidance applies to ability checks, while Bless applies to attack rolls and saving throws.

When to Choose Which:

• Use Guidance when you need to boost a single creature’s ability check and want to conserve spell slots.
• Use Bless when you need to buff multiple creatures’ attack rolls and saving throws, particularly in combat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about Guidance:

Q: Can Guidance be cast on multiple creatures simultaneously?

A: No. Guidance only affects one willing creature at a time.

Q: Can Guidance be used on attack rolls?

A: No. Guidance specifically affects ability checks, not attack rolls. Use Bless for attack rolls.

Q: Can Guidance be used on saving throws?

A: Generally, no. The spell description clearly states “ability check.” Some DMs *might* allow it in specific situations where a saving throw functions like an ability check, but this is not standard. If the saving throw uses Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma, it is normally *not* considered an ability check.

Q: Does Guidance stack with advantage?

A: No. Advantage does not stack with itself. If a creature already has advantage on an ability check, casting Guidance will not provide any additional benefit beyond the d4 bonus.

Q: What happens if the caster takes damage while concentrating on Guidance?

A: The caster must make a Constitution saving throw against the damage received. If the saving throw fails, the caster loses concentration on Guidance, and the spell ends.

Q: Can I cast Guidance on myself?

A: Yes, as long as you are a willing creature.

Q: Can I cast Guidance as a reaction?

A: No. Guidance has a casting time of 1 action.

Q: Can I use Guidance to help someone with a death saving throw?

A: No. A death saving throw is not an ability check.

Q: What happens if a creature is unwilling to be targeted by Guidance?

A: Then you can not target them with Guidance. The spell specifically states that you must target a ‘willing creature’.

Conclusion

Guidance is a deceptively simple cantrip that can have a profound impact on your party’s success. By understanding its mechanics, strategic applications, and limitations, you can become a master of Guidance and provide invaluable support to your allies. Remember to communicate with your party, prioritize critical checks, and be mindful of your concentration. With a little practice, Guidance will become an indispensable tool in your D&D 5e arsenal.