In the game Dungeons and Dragons (DnD), there is a spell called "Bestow Curse" that allows a character to place a curse on another creature. This curse is intended to hinder the cursed creature in some way, making their life more difficult. The caster must make contact with the target and then cast the curse, which can be done through touch or at a distance using a specific spell. Once the curse is cast, the target is then subjected to its effects. The specific effects of the curse can vary depending on the caster's intentions and the DM's discretion. Some common effects of the curse include lowering the target's ability scores, making their attacks less effective, or even causing them to become physically deformed.
If I use a spell like bestow curse or confusion on an enemy and it stops them from taking their regular turn, what happens to their legendary actions? Do they still take them as normal?
Legendary actions happen at the end of other creatures turns, so effects that happen only during the creature s regular turn shouldn t affect them IMO. If you re in the market for a save or die that can do a bit more than something like Hold Person, while it can be tricky to use, I think you can get what you re looking for out of Bestow Curse.
Some common effects of the curse include lowering the target's ability scores, making their attacks less effective, or even causing them to become physically deformed. The curse is typically meant to be a long-lasting hindrance, often lasting for a certain period of time or until it is removed through a spell or other means. The target of the curse may be able to make saving throws to resist its effects, depending on the specific rules of the game.
Bestow Curse 5e
You touch a creature, and that creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become cursed for the duration of the spell. When you cast this spell, choose the nature of the curse from the following options:
- Choose one ability score. While cursed, the target has disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws made with that ability score.
- While cursed, the target has disadvantage on attack rolls against you.
- While cursed, the target must make a Wisdom saving throw at the start of each of its turns. If it fails, it wastes its action that turn doing nothing.
- While the target is cursed, your attacks and spells deal an extra 1d8 necrotic damage to the target.
A Remove Curse spell ends this effect. At the GM's option, you may choose an alternative curse effect, but it should be no more powerful than those described above. The GM has final say on such a curse’s effect.
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the duration is concentration, up to 10 minutes. If you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the duration is 8 hours. If you use a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the duration is 24 hours. If you use a 9th level spell slot, the spell lasts until it is dispelled. Using a spell slot of 5th level or higher grants a duration that doesn’t require concentration.
Review by Sam West, Twitter: @CrierKobold
“It was a rainy Monday night; I’ll never forget it. I just left the bar, drunk as a skunk, stumbling through the cobbled Waterdeep streets. In my stupor I bumped into a ravishing young creature. As she turned to me, looking me up and down expecting an apology, I opened my mouth to say something, but it wasn’t words that rained out onto her boots. She screamed, cursed at me, then slapped me across the face. Ever since, I spend about half my time staring off into space, thinking of her. She cursed me, Harold. Because I threw up on her shoes.”
- Benny the Broker to his boss after being bestowed a curse by an archfey
There are many spells I’ve come out saying I wish were DM tools instead. Spells like Teleportation Circle don’t scream “useful spell” to me as a player. Symbol is something that honestly feels like it belongs in a giant book of traps. Bestow Curse breaks this mold. Thanks to its up-casting scaling, it can flourish as something your grandmother hags deliver permanent banes with, while at its baseline as a 3rd level slot, some characters can get some decent save or die utility.
Starting with its base utility, Bestow Curse has one exceptional mode and three others that can be flexibly great. If you’re casting this on something you’re immediately fighting, you’re probably going to want to disable it about half the time or more with mode three. This effect is similar to Hold Person with one glorious exception: so long as you can maintain the concentration with the 3rd and 4th level versions, should they fail the save, there aren’t subsequent ones to end this effect. If you can keep your distance, you can hypothetically disable something for five or more rounds during that minute, and can easily navigate around this condition. The other three modes all can have some decent utility in shorter fights, but because they require you touch the creature anyway and you have to spend your action doing it, you’re probably going to lean towards the protective options.
Bestow Curse stands out against most other spells that can be up-cast in that the spell doesn’t just improve with a duration or quantity of creatures it affects. If you’re spending a 5th level slot or higher, you don’t need to concentrate on this effect. This opens the spell up to being something you concentrate on early, and can keep preparing later even when you find something more powerful to devote your concentration on. A nifty bonus here as is the duration increases, you’re often going to find you’ll want more flexibility with your concentration. Being able to curse a villain you meet outside of kill or be killed confrontation you intend to battle later with a 5th or 7th level slot can genuinely be useful; should it fail the save, regardless of what other spells you cast, for the duration whatever mode you pick affects them.
Bestow Curse fills a great place in D&D. The modes are useful, the effect scaling is really cool, and the cost is fairly low. The save or die combat requirements are pretty steep, as needing to touch a creature you want to curse can be dangerous. You’re getting a high risk high reward option here with great world building opportunities tied in nicely. If you’re in the market for a save or die that can do a bit more than something like Hold Person, while it can be tricky to use, I think you can get what you’re looking for out of Bestow Curse.
A remove curse spell ends this effect. At the DM’s option, you may choose an alternative curse effect, but it should be no more powerful than those described above. The DM has final say on such a curse’s effect.
Bestow Curse can be a powerful spell in the right hands, allowing a character to incapacitate or hinder their enemies. However, it is important for players and DMs to consider the balance of the game and the fairness of using such a spell. **Overall, Bestow Curse in DnD is a spell that allows a character to place a curse on another creature, hindering their abilities and making their life more difficult.**.
Reviews for "Cursed by Bestow Curse: A Story of Redemption"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - The "Dnd bestow curse" spell was a huge letdown for me. I was expecting something mystical and powerful, but instead, all I got was a spell that barely had any effect on my opponents. It felt more like a minor inconvenience rather than a curse. The limited range and duration of the spell also added to my disappointment. Overall, I found this spell to be underwhelming and not worth the effort of learning or using.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I have to say, "Dnd bestow curse" was one of the most useless spells I've ever come across. The effects were so minimal that it barely made a difference in battle. I was expecting a curse that would inflict significant damage or debilitate my enemies, but instead, it felt like a waste of a spell slot. The fact that the effects could also be easily countered or dispelled further added to my frustration. I recommend skipping this spell altogether and focusing on more useful and impactful options.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Dnd bestow curse" failed to live up to my expectations. While the concept of cursing enemies sounded intriguing, the execution was lackluster. The effects were so negligible that it hardly affected the outcome of battles. Additionally, the limited range and duration made it a situational spell at best. I was hoping for a spell that would provide a significant advantage in combat, but instead, it felt like a wasted opportunity. I would not recommend investing time or resources in learning this spell.