Does Spiritual Weapon Get an Attack of Opportunity?
As a caster, one of the most powerful and versatile spells at your disposal is Spiritual Weapon. This 2nd-level evocation spell, found in the Player’s Handbook, allows you to conjure a spectral weapon that deals force damage to a target. But a common question among players and DMs alike is whether Spiritual Weapon gets an attack of opportunity.
The Basics of Spiritual Weapon
Before we dive into whether Spiritual Weapon gets an attack of opportunity, let’s quickly review the basics of the spell. Spiritual Weapon is a 2nd-level evocation spell that requires a verbal component and 1 action to cast. It creates a spectral weapon that deals force damage to a target, and the caster can use it to make a melee attack. The spell has a range of 60 feet and a duration of 1 minute.
What is an Attack of Opportunity?
For those who may be new to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, an attack of opportunity is a special type of attack that a character can make in response to an opponent’s action. An attack of opportunity is triggered by an opponent’s movement, such as a creature attempting to move past a defender or a character trying to disengage from combat.
Does Spiritual Weapon Get an Attack of Opportunity?
Now that we’ve reviewed the basics of Spiritual Weapon and attacks of opportunity, let’s get to the question at hand: does Spiritual Weapon get an attack of opportunity?
The answer is no, Spiritual Weapon does not get an attack of opportunity. According to the Player’s Handbook, p. 252, "The spectral weapon makes a melee attack against a target you choose within 60 feet of you… The spectral weapon doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks." This means that when the spectral weapon attacks, it does not trigger an attack of opportunity from the target, nor does it trigger any other opportunity attacks.
Why Doesn’t Spiritual Weapon Get an Attack of Opportunity?
So, why doesn’t Spiritual Weapon get an attack of opportunity? The reason is that the spectral weapon is not a physical attack, unlike a normal melee attack made by a character. Instead, it’s a supernatural force that deals damage to the target. Because it’s not a physical attack, it doesn’t trigger an attack of opportunity.
Comparison to Other Spells
It’s worth noting that there are other spells that create spectral or ethereal objects that can make attacks. For example, Spectral Hand, a 3rd-level evocation spell, allows you to create a spectral hand that can make an attack. Unlike Spiritual Weapon, Spectral Hand does trigger an attack of opportunity. This is because the spectral hand is a physical entity, unlike the spectral weapon created by Spiritual Weapon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spiritual Weapon does not get an attack of opportunity. This is because the spectral weapon is a supernatural force that deals damage to the target, rather than a physical attack. This is specified in the Player’s Handbook, and it’s important to keep in mind when using this powerful spell.
Table: Comparison of Spiritual Weapon and Other Spells
| Spell | Description | Attack of Opportunity Triggered? |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Weapon | Conjure a spectral weapon to deal force damage | No |
| Spectral Hand | Create a spectral hand to make a melee attack | Yes |
| Etherealness | Become ethereal and move through the air | No |
Additional Tips and Strategies
Here are a few additional tips and strategies to keep in mind when using Spiritual Weapon:
- Use it to attack targets that are out of range of your physical attacks, such as enemies behind enemy lines or in hard-to-reach areas.
- Use it to add an extra layer of damage to your attacks, such as when you’re using a spell that deals multiple types of damage.
- Use it to make an attack of opportunity with a different target, by using the spectral weapon to attack a different target in the same round.
In conclusion, Spiritual Weapon is a powerful and versatile spell that can add an extra layer of damage to your attacks. Remember to keep in mind that it does not trigger an attack of opportunity, and use it strategically to get the most out of this powerful spell.
