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Guardian of Faith

Conjuration
Level: 4th-level
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 8 hours
Components: V

A Large spectral guardian appears and hovers for the duration in an unoccupied space of your choice that you can see within range. The guardian occupies that space and is indistinct except for a gleaming sword and shield emblazoned with the symbol of your deity. Any creature hostile to you that moves to a space within 10 feet of the guardian for the first time on a turn must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 20 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The guardian vanishes when it has dealt a total of 60 damage.

Spell Details

School: Conjuration
Level: 4
Ritual: No
Concentration: No
Classes: Cleric
B-Tier Guardian of Faith is a solid control and area-denial spell that excels at protecting a position but lacks flexibility once placed.

Player Guide

Position your guardian in a chokepoint or doorway to force enemies into difficult decisions—they either trigger 2d8+4 damage by moving within 10 feet or waste actions moving around it. This spell is best used when you expect enemies to funnel through a specific area, making it ideal for defending a location, protecting an NPC, or controlling the battlefield during a siege. Pair it with ranged attacks or hold-your-ground tactics, as the guardian cannot move or act offensively beyond its reaction damage.

DM Tips

Clarify that the guardian only triggers its reaction when a hostile creature moves within 10 feet for the first time on a turn—multiple enemies in the same turn only trigger once. Remember the guardian is immobile and invisible except for its sword and shield; enemies can target it if they know exactly where it is, and it has AC 18 with hit points equal to your cleric level + spellcasting ability modifier.