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Insect Plague

Conjuration
Level: 5th-level
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 300 feet
Duration: Up to 10 minutes
Components: V, S, M
Materials: A few grains of sugar, some kernels of grain, and a smear of fat.

Swarming, biting locusts fill a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point you choose within range. The sphere spreads around corners. The sphere remains for the duration, and its area is lightly obscured. The sphere's area is difficult terrain. When the area appears, each creature in it must make a constitution saving throw. A creature takes 4d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature must also make this saving throw when it enters the spell's area for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 5th.

Concentration

Spell Details

School: Conjuration
Level: 5
Ritual: No
Concentration: Yes
Classes: Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer
A-Tier Excellent area control with persistent damage, concentration-free positioning, and forced saves every round for enemies.

Player Guide

Cast Insect Plague at the start of combat to control a 20-foot radius zone, forcing all creatures within to make CON saves each turn or take 4d10 damage. Position the sphere to split enemy formations and funnel foes toward allies, or overlap it with chokepoints to create a no-go zone. The 10-minute duration and light obscurement make it devastating for extended combats; renew concentration carefully if you need other spells.

DM Tips

Insect Plague is concentration-heavy but extremely powerful; enemies will often prefer taking the damage to staying in it, so use it to control enemy positioning rather than expecting it to eliminate foes. The light obscurement is subtle but valuable—ensure players understand enemies inside have disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures outside.