Make use of the power of the dragons of the past by magically altering your breath to exhale a powerful scream of destruction.

This thematic (and entertaining) spell is a challenge to utilize correctly, but it’s worth it for adventurous people.

Dragon’s Breath Spell Information

Available To: Sorcerer/Wizard
School of Magic: Transmutation
Spell Level: 2nd Level
Casting Time: One bonus action
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 minute (concentration)
Components: Verbal, somatic, material (a hot pepper)
Source: Xanathar’s Guide to Everything page 154

You have the option to select a creature to let an 15-foot cone of destruction from its mouth.

If you touch the creature, it’s possible to choose the kind of attack you’d like to receive, like lightning, acid, or cold as the kind of damage to cause breath-like effects.

Creatures that are in the spell effect zone can make a Dexterity saving roll. They take 3d6 of damage if they failed roll and then half the damage in the event that they are successful.

Make contact with a creature you choose and allow it to let magical energy flow out of its mouth if it has one. Choose acid, lightning, cold, or poison.

Once the spell is cast, the creature can use actions to dispel energy of the chosen type within the 15-foot cone.

Each creature in that zone is required to make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 damage from the chosen type on a failed save or half of that amount on a successful save.

Higher levels. When you apply this spell in a spell slot higher than 3rd, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot that is higher than 2.

What is this all about?

Dragon’s Breath is a small area of effect spell that can do decent damage at the point where it’s cast.

Within the context of a successful concentration spell, it can be repeated for each session (up to 10 times).

It can cover a 15-foot cone, which is a maximum of three medium-sized targets if they’re close.

The most significant element of this spell is that it can be applied to any willing creature that has the ability to speak, a characteristic vital to making this spell effective.

Who’s on the Case?

This spell is included in the sorcerer and wizard spell lists. This implies that it is also utilized by Arcane Trickster Rogues and Eldritch Knight Fighters as a non-specific school spell up to level 8.

It’s a smart choice and is explained below.

Dragon’s Breath: The Pros

The option to choose the type of damage is an important benefit for working around any immunities or obstacles that the opponent might have.

If, for example, you encounter a whole group of Yuan-Ti who are determined to murder the person you consider to be your NPC friend, you’ll be careful that you shouldn’t spray poison gas since it won’t be a factor in the outcome.

You can then turn them into ashes using the fire breath method.

Another benefit of this technique is that it needs only an additional move to make.

The method you choose to use can be used to release the spell’s power or make use of an enchantment to attack with a weapon when you use the spell on an animal.

Dragon’s Breath: Cons & Downsides

The most difficult thing about this spell is that it’s a concentrated spell that can be compared against a wide range of different powerful spells. Particularly, as you advance into higher-level spell slots.

As a second-level capability, its nature and requirement for concentration could make a player choose between controlling the battlefield with web-like spells or the player with Maximillian’s earthen grip.

Although it’s an effect spell that can have an effect on a zone, Shatter is able to inflict more damage on a larger number of creatures at once.

In addition, even though the spell is just an additional step, in order to take the poison out you have to take an action each time you turn.

At lower levels the damage output from this isn’t too bad and is worthy of the economics of action. After 5th level, you’ll have more options in the case of the bulk of martial and spellcasters.

A spell cast by a sorcerer isn’t suited to metamagic effects we see in our everyday. The spell is applied to a creature and is then able to exhale the energy. Thus, the real effects of the spell do not take place in the same spot that it was cast.

It’s also not able to be twinned, as the Chief rule designer from WoTC described.

Roleplay Ideas

One of my favorite aspects of this spell is that the primary component is hot pepper.

The idea of chomping on chili and breathing into the flame is a stunning photograph… along with then giving jalapenos a chance to shine when casting your spell over your friends.

The Draconic nature of this spell makes it an ideal option for those looking to be in touch with the most terrifying creatures from the realm of D&D (looking at you Draconic sorcerers).

Dragon’s Breath Benefits

For lower level characters, this is an excellent way to use characters with martial skills who aren’t able to access magical damage yet.

Particularly if you’re facing someone who has immunity or resistance to normal slashing, bludgeoning, or piercing wounds (such as Lycanthropes).

It’s even more impressive to have an ally who is able to achieve the illusion of invisibility in the exact same individual. The specific characteristics of dragon’s breath ensure that they remain unnoticed when they exhale their damage (although the smoke may signal their location).

The Dragon Death Drone

The most efficient method to make use of Dragon’s Breath is casting the spell over an older acquaintance (best gained by performing one of the spell casting rituals, or the magic initiator feat, or by multiclassing one level to wizard, or three levels to a Warlock to secure a pact with the chain).

The attraction of this method is that it requires a person who knows the requirements of the spell to use it, has a mouth and possibly most importantly, because exhaling energy isn’t a form of attack or casting a spell, someone who is familiar with the technique can use the technique.

It has been verified from WoTC chief rules designer. WoTC principal rules creator.

Be aware that this tactic could be a big threat to your personal favorite or familiar.

Any DM who uses those monsters they’ve made with the help of a shrew will kill their one-hp companion extremely quickly unless you’re in a position to keep them from danger.

This is the reason the Owl is a great option for the body of your beloved due to its capability to fly features keeps it safe from other animals without causing opportunities for attacks.

A multi-class of warlocks could contain an imp or quasit or the sprite that is familiar. These are usually hidden playing Dragon’s Breath. This makes them hard to find and even harder to strike.

Dragon’s Breath builds

The spell can be an excellent option for the Eldritch Knight. It’s also an arcane trickster.

If you are at the third stage, and you are a fighter or fighter selects one or more of these classes, the spell known to all is an essential item to have.

Why not make use of the insufficient and low-level casting slot option that makes use of well-known?

It’s also essential to consider getting a good constitution score in addition to the feat of warcaster. Be sure to remain focused on the spell each time you’re struck.

Final Updates

Dragon’s Breath is an incredible and thematic spell that is perfect for those with low-level slots to cast spells that may inflict tactical attacks on the target of impact.

However, it is also overpowered by more powerful spells that require focus. It’s an important component of your strategy but it is not a complete strategy on its own.