Summary
Spellcasting is one of the most engaging and compelling parts of any goodDungeons & Dragonscampaign, particularly as a player. Customizing your spell list to your liking can really add extra spin to a character, and distinguish them from other members of the group. And, one of the best ways to verify your character stands out is to add completely off-the-wall spells to your spellbook.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of totally zany and outrageous spells from the 2024 Player’s Handbook. If you haven’t already done so as a player, make sure to add at least one of these to your spellbook.
5th
Concentration
Yes, up to 1 minute
It wouldn’t be a chaotic spell list without one of the most outlandish spells in Dungeons & Dragons: Bigby’s Hand. Fans of Critical Role already know what this one does, but for those not in the know, Bigby’s Hand allows you to conjure a giant spectral hand of magical energy with its own AC and HP. From there, the hand can attack, move objects and creatures, and even provide cover to the caster.
This spell is obviously a bit chaotic, thanks to the clever ways you may use it. But what’s more entertaining about it is its visual component. The idea of a giant spectral hand floating through the air or even making lewd gestures at other players or characters is so hilarious, it simply had to be included on this list.
3rd
Stinking Cloud is actually a handy low-level spell that can make a big impact on the battlefield. The reason we’re including it in this list is twofold. One, the name is just so iconic. And two, it does exactly what you think it does.
When you cast this spell (by using the material component of a rotten egg, no less), you create a gas cloud that smells like death itself, which also heavily obscures the area. Any creature in the sphere must make a Constitution saving throw or have the poisoned condition until the end of their current turn. Not only is this spell visually nauseating, but it’s also helpful in combat.
2nd
Have you ever wanted to emulate a dragon? After all, it’s called Dungeons and Dragons for a reason. That’s why, if you’re playing as a sorcerer or a wizard, you’re going to want to take a look at this spell.
When you cast this spell at second level, you may touch one willing creature and grant them a breath ability like a dragon or dragonborn for up to one minute, so long as you maintain concentration. Again, the visual gag of having a regular fighter character suddenly breathe lightning across the battlefield is ridiculous enough. Still, this spell is also highly useful for adding new types of damage to the battlefield.
6th
No
Magic Jar is an extremely weird spell with a lot of different rules to it. We’re going to try to break it down as best we can, though. When you cast this spell, your body falls into a catatonic state, and subsequently, your soul enters a jar or container used as part of the spell’s material component. The idea is that you can use this spell to protect yourself against intruders or someone hunting you.
However, you can also use this spell to attempt to possess another humanoid within 100 feet of you, which can lead to some truly outlandish DND moments. Overall, no matter how you choose to use this spell, you can get extremely creative and potentially solve problems in completely unexpected ways.
This spell has a really simple effect that can proveextremely useful in combat. However, the reason this spell makes it onto this list is not just because of the name, but also because the effect is incredibly hilarious.
When you cast this spell on a target within range, they must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a success, they must dance comically until the end of their next turn, during which they must spend all of their movement. On a failure, they must take the charmed condition and use all of their movement to dance in place, in addition to a host of other effects. The idea of forcing an all-powerful mage to dance comically in place with this spell is too much sometimes.
This spell is another one that allows players to get highly creative, particularly if you’re trying to avoid combat altogether or perhaps provide a distraction for your fellow players. When you cast this spell, you’re able to create an illusion of an object or creature, or other piece of visual information that activates upon a specific trigger. You can also make the illusion last up to five minutes and even speak or move.
This allows players to create highly detailed illusions of any sort. For example, you could create an illusion of a little girl who speaks in an incredibly deep voice or a dog that walks on its hind legs. Whatever your choice, only your imagination is your limit when it comes to this spell.
Do you basically want to live out the plot of Romeo & Juliet? You can with this spell. However, results may vary. When you cast this spell, you can touch a willing creature and make it appear as though they are deceased, with potentially no way to revive it. They appear dead to outward inspection, and also have the blinded and incapacitated conditions, and cannot move.
Interestingly, when you cast this spell, the target also has resistance to all damage except psychic and is immune to poison. This can prove useful for keeping a target alive longer. Ultimately, what’s most unique about this spell is how you can attempt to use it to ‘play dead’with powerful enemies.
7th
Reverse Gravity is a powerful spell that can have abig impact in combat. Plus, it can prove extremely chaotic depending on how you use it. When you cast this spell, you may reverse gravity in a 50-foot radius and a 100-foot-high cylinder. All creatures in that area, including yourself, fall upward 100 feet. When the spell ends, they then fall downward again.
Depending on the area you cast this spell on, you could wreak havoc in combat. Or, you could seriously injure or disrupt your fellow player’s plans. Be careful using this spell without your party’s permission, as you could spell doom for your entire table if you’re not wary.
4th
Yes, up to 10 minutes
Summoning spells are always perfect for creating some chaos on the battlefield. After all, not everything you summon happens to be under your control. Luckily, with this spell, the creature you summon can be controlled by you if you so desire.
With this spell, you summon a large insect of your choosing to aid your fellow players in combat. The reason this spell ended up on this list is because of the imagery it conjures in my head. The idea of having a giant ladybug coming to help your party is just so abjectly hilarious to me, particularly if your DND campaign is more serious most of the time.
