<style> /* Landscape paper */ .phb { width: 11in; height: 8.5in; .phb:after { content: ""; } } /* Recolors */ } .phb .partpage h5{ font-size:13pt; color:#585a5b } .phb a{color: #585a5b;} /* #, ##, ###, ####*/ .phb h4, .phb h3, .phb h2, .phb h1 {color: #4B0E6D;} .phb h3{ font-size: .529cm; border-bottom: 2px solid #c1c1c1 } .phb p {color:#} .phb a {color:#B934BD} /* Footer */ .phb:nth-child(even):after { content: ""; position: absolute; bottom: 0; left: 0; height: 55px; width: 100%; background-image: url(''); background-size: cover; transform: scaleX(-1) } .phb:nth-child(odd):after { content: ""; position: absolute; bottom: 0; left: 0; height: 55px; width: 100%; background-image: url(''); background-size: cover } /* Page Number */ .phb:nth-child(odd) .pageNumber {right: 2px; color: #B934BD; } .phb:nth-child(even) .pageNumber {left: 2px; color: #B934BD;} } </style> <!-- # Balanced Bladetrips The cantrips *booming blade* and *green-flame blade,* introduced in the *Sword's Coast Adventurer's Guide*, were the first cantrips introduced to 5th Edition outside those in the *Player's Handbook*. Unfortunately, they are not well-designed. While an exciting image and effective spells, they are blatantly overpowered in terms of raw damage, especially when compared to other cantrips and when placed on certain characters. This booklet attempts to balance those cantrips, and as compensation for the lowered power level, provide more options for the characters that used to use them. ## Damage Calculations Of the two, *booming blade* is far more egregious in its overall damage. It has comparible damage to other cantrips when it *fails* to inflict the extra thunder damage when the enemy moves. When it succeeds, it outstrips the damage per round of both regular cantrips and abilities that add ability modifiers to damage. The chart below breaks down its average damage, and the damage of a regular and empowered cantrip at the same level, at every level that grants cantrips another damage die. This is to better demonstrate why this homebrew is necessary. This chart assumes that *booming blade* is cast by an Arcane Trickster wielding a rapier with the highest possible Dexterity modifier for its level. *Fire bolt* in the first column is cast by any spellcaster, and *fire bolt* in the second column is cast by a School of Evocation Wizard with the highest possible Intelligence modifier for its level. <div class=wide> ##### Average Cantrip Damage | Level | *Fire bolt* | *Fire bolt* w/ spellcasting mod | *Booming blade* without movement | *Booming blade* with movement |:---:|:----:|:----:|:----:|:----:| | 1st | 5.5 *(1d10)* | 5.5 *(1d10)* | 7.5 *(1d8+3)* | 12 *(1d8+3+1d8)* | 5th | 11 *(2d10)* | 11 *(2d10)* | 13 *(1d8+4+1d8)* | 22 *(1d8+4+1d8+2d8)* | 6th | 11 *(2d10)* | 15 *(2d10+4)* |13 *(1d8+4+1d8)* | 22 *(1d8+4+1d8+2d8)* | 11th | 16.5 *(3d10)* | 21.5 *(3d10+5)* | 18.5 *(1d8+5+2d8)* | 32 *(1d8+5+2d8+3d8)* | 17th | 22 *(4d10)* | 27 *(4d10+5)* | 23 *(1d8+5+3d8)*| 41 *(1d8+5+3d8+4d8)* </div> *Booming blade*, when it *fails* to trigger its goal effect and instead uses its base damage calculation, is superior to *fire bolt,* a common cantrip that uses a d10 damage die. Without the target moving and triggering extra damage, the failed booming blade (assuming it hits) still deals only slightly less average damage, and at high levels when it deals many dice on a hit and more on a trigger, the ridiculous power level becomes clear. Most cantrips deal four damage dice, and only add a modifier to damage if you have a class feature, such as Potent Spellcasting or Potent Cantrip, that allows it. *Booming blade*, on the other hand, will always add your Dexterity modifier to its damage, since you make it with a melee weapon attack. The fact that the bladetrips are an entirely normal weapon attack with added damage at no cost makes them a flatly superior option on any class without extra attack. A cleric, sorcerer, wizard, or rogue (*especially* rogue) has no reason to *not* invest in one of these cantrips. This is bad game design. An option that is flatly superior to the another (attacking once per turn with *booming blade* is better than not attacking with *booming blade,* every time) simply should not be allowed to exist. \columnbreak Fortunately, this document presents a solution: alternative bladetrips, that retain the flavor and aesthetic of the spells but provide balance in line with the existing 5e cantrips. To compensate for their decreased overall power, I've included more than two new cantrips to replace the two removed. In fact, I've included a new bladetrip for every damage type. Each allows you to deliver the spell through weapon, as the original spells intended, but without acting as a regular melee weapon attack and permitting all the added effects to happen. \pagebreakNum --> ## Rebalanced Bladetrips This collection of cantrips replaces *booming blade* and *green-flame blade*, which are overpowered. When they *fail* to trigger, they deal typical cantrip damage, and deal much *more* damage when successful. They also enhance basic melee weapon attacks, which means characters with once-per-turn attacks like rogues and clerics have no reason to *not* take them, since they enhance the basic attack their class is built around already, but add more on top of it. A superior option like this in a game based on making choices is a problem. These new cantrips scale like every other cantrip and use spell attacks, rather than weapon attacks. But the concept of attacking with a magically-empowered weapon is an interesting one, so if you choose, they use your weapon attack modifiers instead of your spellcasting modifier. #### Azure Shieldbash *Abjuration cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a shield) **Duration:** Instantaneous You conjure a glittering disc of sapphire energy upon the surface of your shield or in your hand. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 1d4 force damage and your AC is increased by 2 until the start of your next turn. If a creature hits you with an attack, the shield shatters, and the increase to your AC ends. If you are wielding a shield, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4). #### Chartreuse Scourge *Evocation cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 10 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous You summon bubbling acid upon your weapon, or conjure a translucent lime-colored scourge in your hand. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 acid damage. If the creature you hit is not wearing armor, roll d12s instead of d10s for the damage of this spell. If you are wielding a melee weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). \columnbreak <div style='margin-top:470px;'></div> #### Dancer's Flameblade *Evocation cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous You summon a fiery edge that flickers upon your weapon, or an elegant blade of darting flame in your hand. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. Because this swift strike is made from flame, it is difficult to block. The attack you make with this cantrip ignores the AC bonus granted by shields and reactions that increase the target's AC. If you are wielding a melee weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). <!-- Cool background image --> <img src='http://www.muddycolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/4b3bc-dresden_sketch_6.jpg' style='position:absolute; top:-40px; right:-50px; width:780px;' /> <!-- Full page stain --> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/kTQ3HsG.png' style='position:absolute; top:-25px; right:-230px; width:830px; transform:rotate(90deg)scaleY(-1.2)scaleX(-1.3);' /> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/kTQ3HsG.png' style='position:absolute; top:-25px; left:-830px; width:830px; transform:rotate(90deg)scaleY(1.2)scaleX(-1.3);' /> \pagebreakNum <div style='margin-top:460px;'></div> #### Diviner's Dart *Divination cantrip* **Time:** 1 action **Range:** 20 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a ranged weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous You coat a weapon in probing mental energy, or conjure an invisible barb that targets the mind rather than the body. Make a ranged spell attack against a creature within range, hurling the energy but keeping the physical weapon in your hand. On a hit, you invade the target's upper consciousness, dealing 1d6 psychic damage and gaining a flash of insight about its intent. The target has disadvantage on the first attack roll or ability check it makes against you before the start of your next turn. If you are wielding a weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the ranged spell attack you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6). \columnbreak <div style='position:absolute; top:40px; right:40px; width:45%;'> #### Electric-Blue Javelin *Evocation cantrip* **Time:** 1 action **Range:** 60 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a ranged or melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous You electrify your weapon, or conjure a fluorescent javelin in your hand. Make a melee or ranged spell attack against a creature in range, hurling the bolt but keeping the physical weapon in hand on a ranged attack. On a hit, the target takes 1d6 lightning damage and a flash scours its vision; the target cannot see creatures and objects more than 60 feet away from it until the end of its next turn, when the spots in its vision fade away. If you are wielding a weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6). #### Emerald Serpent's Fang *Evocation cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous You coat your weapon in poison, or conjure up an emerald foil in your hand. You strike like a scorpion or snake, jolting forward 5 feet in any direction. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity. After you move, make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 poison damage and is poisoned until the end of its next turn. If you are wielding a melee weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). #### Executioner's Black Axe *Necromancy cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous You create a smoky edge on your weapon, or grip a wispy ebony axe that appears in your hand. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 necrotic damage. You gain temporary hit points equal to half the damage dealt. If you are wielding a melee weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). </div> <!-- Cool background image --> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/pEubP6t.jpg' style='position:absolute; top:-40px; left:-70px; transform:scaleX(1); width:px;' /> <!-- Full page stain --> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/8IwoJpE.png' style='position:absolute; top:-10px; left:130px; width:830px; transform:rotate(0deg)scaleY(1)scaleX(-1.4);' /> \pagebreakNum   \columnbreak <div style='width: 50%; position:absolute; top:40px; right:35px;'> #### Hero's Sword *Enchantment cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous Light blazes from your weapon, or a longsword made from brilliant golden energy appears in your hand. Until the end of your next turn, your weapon or focus emanates bright light in a 10 ft. radius and dim light for another 10. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, a creature takes 1d10 radiant damage, and one friendly creature within 30 feet of you that can see you repeat a saving throw against an affect that frightened it, ending the effect on itself on a success. If you are wielding a melee weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). #### Stormlord's Grey Hammer *Evocation cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous Your weapon reverberates with the sound of thunder, or a hammer made from billowing thunderheads appears in your hand. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 thunder damage, is deafened until the start of its next turn, and is knocked 10 feet away from you. If you are wielding a melee weapon, you can choose to add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). #### Winter's White Spike *Evocation cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a melee weapon) **Duration:** Instantaneous Ice freezes over your weapon or a war pick made of solid ice appears in your hand. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 cold damage, and the intense cold freezes the weapon to the target's body. If the target is a creature no more than one size larger than you, it is grappled until the end of its next turn. The escape DC for this grapple is your spell save DC. If you drop the weapon, the grapple automatically ends. If you are wielding a melee weapon, you can choose add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the melee spell attack roll you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. The spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). </div> <!-- Cool background image --> <img src='https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/004/915/577/large/johnathan-chong-lightshield-coverfinal-johnathan-high-res.jpg?1487178100' style='position:absolute; top:-0px; left:-20px; width:550px;' /> <!-- Full page stain --> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/xQi8g0f.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:-300px; width:830px; transform:rotate(270deg)scaleX(1.3)scaleY(-1);' /> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/xQi8g0f.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; right:-547px; width:830px; transform:rotate(270deg)scaleX(1.3)scaleY(1);' /> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/Cyu88nf.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; right:-100px; width:830px; transform:rotate(270deg)scaleX(-1.3)scaleY(1);' /> \pagebreakNum ### Bard Spells ##### Cantrips (0 level) Azure Shieldbash Dancer's Flameblade Diviner's Dart Emerald Serpent's Fang Hero's Sword ### Cleric Spells ##### Cantrips (0 level) Azure Shieldbash Chartreuse Scourge Dancer's Flameblade Diviner's Dart Electric-blue Javelin Emerald Serpent's Fang Executioner's Black Axe Hero's Sword Stormlord's Grey Hammer Winter's White Spike ### Druid Spells ##### Cantrips (0 level) Chartreuse Scourge Dancer's Flameblade Electric-blue Javelin Emerald Serpent's Fang Stormlord's Grey Hammer Winter's White Spike ### Sorcerer Spells ##### Cantrips (0 level) Azure Shieldbash Chartreuse Scourge Dancer's Flameblade Diviner's Dart Electric-blue Javelin Emerald Serpent's Fang Executioner's Black Axe Hero's Sword Stormlord's Grey Hammer Winter's White Spike \columnbreak ### Warlock Spells ##### Cantrips (0 level) Azure Shieldbash Chartreuse Scourge Dancer's Flameblade Diviner's Dart Electric-blue Javelin Emerald Serpent's Fang Executioner's Black Axe Hero's Sword Stormlord's Grey Hammer Winter's White Spike ### Wizard Spells ##### Cantrips (0 level) Azure Shieldbash Chartreuse Scourge Dancer's Flameblade Diviner's Dart Electric-blue Javelin Emerald Serpent's Fang Executioner's Black Axe Hero's Sword Stormlord's Grey Hammer Winter's White Spike <div class='descriptive'> ##### A Note on Somatic Components According to Sage Advice, *"If a spell has a somatic component, you can use the hand that performs the somatic component to also handle the material component."* So when you cast one of these spells, you can strike with the hand holding the melee weapon, as thought you were attacking with it. Remember, you do not make a melee weapon attack, but a melee spell attack, and cannot apply bonuses like Divine Smite. </div> ***Harry Dresden, Part 1,* Dan Santos** ***Master Dwarf,* Alexander Kozachenko** ***Light Shield,* Johnathan Chong** ##### Author Links **Reddit**: /u/fungalbrews **Discord**: FungusAmongUs#7561 **Server**: [http://discord.gg/TaKJkmP](http://discord.gg/TaKJkmP) **Brew Directory**: [https://tinyurl.com/mushroompatch](https://tinyurl.com/mushroompatch) <!-- Full page stain --> <img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/bKbVbc2.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:-0px; width:px; transform:rotate(0deg)scaleX(1)scaleY(-1);' /> <!-- #### Name *SCHOOL cantrip* **Casting Time:** 1 action **Range:** 5 feet **Components:** V, S, M (a ) **Duration:** Instantaneous You can add your STR/DEX modifier to the melee spell attack you make with this spell, instead of your spellcasting ability modifier. -->