Some spells in D&D are just a must take. They’re the ones the prepared caster always has on deck if they can get them, and the first thing other casters reach for when they level up. I’ve played a lot of D&D now, run a weekly game, and suffered through two TPKs, and I want to talk about some of my experience where the shine came off the spells I once thought were amazing. The most overrated spells in Dungeons And Dragons 5e. To me, anyway.
So I’m here to ruin all your favourite spells with their unexpected disadvantages. (Don’t worry, I’ll also be covering underrated spells too shortly.) There’s a good chance you won’t agree with my takes, but that’s fine. I’m (probably) not playing at your table anyway.
Fireball
Screen from Roll20, art assets by Wizards Of The Coast.
Okay, yes, I know. It does big numbers. You get to roll a lot of dice, and often anything low level in the immediate area is reduced to a fine mist.
You know what else it does?
Collateral damage. So much of it. If I told you how many buildings have gone down in flames, how beloved NPCs my player characters have seen immolated, and how many party member have needed medical attention, just because the wizard can’t leave this spell alone, I’d be here all day. It’s a good spell when used sensibly… but no-one ever uses fireball sensibly or compassionately.
(I will concede that arcane casters can overcome some of the problem if they pick up Metamagic: Careful Spell. But don’t tell me that every Light Cleric after Level 5 isn’t at war with themselves between how much they want to deal damage, and how much they care about their friends’ wellbeing.)
Revivify And Raise Dead
Screen from Roll20, art assets by Wizard Of The Coast.
This is one is largely dependent on the setting. (And if your DM deals in spell components as written.)
If you’re in one of those campaigns where your party is tripping over resources and strolling back to town with armfuls of treasure, you might find these helpful, or even essential.
On the other hand, if you’re playing Curse Of Strahd, (i.e. one of the most popular 5e modules out there) then you might as well not have them because good luck finding a diamond as a spell component in Barovia. Indeed anywhere that’s poor, remote, or otherwise away from big trade routes has the same issue.
Fly
Screen from Roll20, art assets by Wizard Of The Coast.
Flight is overrated spells in Dungeons And Dragons 5e. Sure, it sounds great when you first see it. Flying away from your problems sounds so appealing… but it’s also a spell with a big chance of getting you killed if you’re not very careful. Fly requires concentration. So at any time you (and whoever you’re casting on) are one projectile and a failed concentration save away from being splattered across a mountainside.
Animate Dead
Screen from Roll20, art assets by Wizard Of The Coast.
One of those spells that’s tactically a great choice, but does come with some narrative baggage.
A great way to get some extra bodies on your side… but only if you’re in a remote area, or the people of your setting are uncommonly cool with necromancy. By default, most non-evil NPCs will balk at the sight of your crime against nature shambling around after you.
A sidenote, skeletons have an INT of 6, over what’s generally considered a sentient creature in D&D, so there’s a good chance your skeleton secretly hates you and it plotting to kill you the second you forget to recast.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my hot takes. The silly images for this guide were made using D&D assets in Roll20 VTT.
If you’re looking for something a bit more digital, maybe also take a look at GZ’s best horror games on itch.io.
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