A buck spell is a type of magical spell that is cast in close proximity to the intended target. This type of spell is often used in situations where the spellcaster needs to quickly and effectively neutralize a threat or defend themselves. The main idea behind a buck spell is to create a burst of energy or force that pushes the target away, causing them to lose their balance or be knocked off their feet. When casting a buck spell, the spellcaster typically focuses their energy on the target and visualizes a strong force pushing against them. This force can take the form of a gust of wind, a wave of energy, or an invisible hand pushing against the target. The strength of the buck spell will vary depending on the skill and ability of the spellcaster, as well as the level of mastery they have attained in their magical studies.
We saw this play out in the first hypothetical scenario with bless, but getting to affect more targets with our spells is powerful. A third-level bless covers five times as many party members as a third-level haste does. An upcast command targeting three or four enemies can wreak havoc on an encounter, denying what might well be half of the enemies on the field their action for a round, while also repositioning them, and potentially triggering multiple opportunity attacks as well. Tasha’s mind whip upcasts impressively as well, providing a pseudo-incapacitation effect for multiple creatures. Fortune’s favor isn’t easy to access, but can provide close to the equivalent of 1 luck point to two targets for a third level slot for a duration of 1 hour, which could have its uses. Upcasting these low level, but powerful spells using those 2nd or 3rd level spell slots is an excellent way to get more bang for your buck.
Finally, there is one healing spell that is incredibly potent when upcast, but only with characters with a certain multiclass dip Life Domain Cleric 1. Given the rough additional hit points per CR estimates, dealing 15 or so additional damage from the upcasted damage dice per creature likely means you are keeping pace with enemy scaling, compared to the subpar additional damage on single-instance damage.
The strength of the buck spell will vary depending on the skill and ability of the spellcaster, as well as the level of mastery they have attained in their magical studies. One of the main advantages of a buck spell is its ability to quickly incapacitate an opponent without causing them any lasting harm. Unlike other offensive spells that may cause physical damage or injury, a buck spell simply knocks the target off balance or pushes them away, allowing the spellcaster to make their escape or gain the upper hand in a confrontation.
Upcasting Spells in DnD 5E
In 5th Edition, “upcasting” is an unofficial term that refers to the mechanic of casting a spell that is of lower level than the level of the spell slot being used to cast it. Primarily, this is done for the purpose of providing enhanced effects from the spell, as many spells in 5E have an “At Higher Levels” clause in their description that lists the benefits of using a higher level spell slot. Compared to D&D 3.5E or Pathfinder, where this sort of ability was reserved for Sorcerers and heighten metamagic, 5E allows any caster to upcast their spells, making it a far more universally applicable tactic.
In practice, upcasting is a relatively rare occurrence at most tables, but sometimes it can be just the right tactic for the situation. Some spells are particularly powerful when upcast, while others might seem worthwhile but are trap options. If you want to make the most out of your spellcasting abilities, you owe it to yourself and your party to make the best use out of upcasting that you can.
Higher Level Spells Are Not Always Superior
Our first point is not specifically about upcasting, but is a general idea that is good to learn, which is that higher level spells are not always superior to lower level spells.
Less optimization-minded players tend to have a certain amount of built-in faith that the game system created by Wizards of the Coast is well balanced, and thus have consciously or subconsciously internalized the maxim that higher level spells are always better than lower level ones. If they weren’t, why would they be higher level?
Often, this is indeed the case: cone of cold is superior to pulse wave which is superior to burning hands; Otiluke’s freezing sphere deals more damage than fireball, which does more damage than shatter. But for spell types that aren’t just increasing stacks of damage dice (and are thus less directly comparable), this isn’t always going to be the case. It might seem tempting and even appropriate to cast haste on the Fighter that’s whacking the barlgura on the front-line, but would an upcast 2nd level bless that covers the entire party be better?
So in short, bless is a significantly more potent offensive buff than haste. It’s no slouch in defense either, since it also grants the party a bonus to their saving throws. Bless is a good spell, but what this really shows is that haste is mediocre for its level. Five to seven damage per round? For a third level spell? Really?
And then there’s the consideration that if you drop your concentration, you’ve hung your fighter out to dry for an entire round—a crippling outcome that puts them in a very bad spot. Additionally, casting haste means you cannot cast another concentration spell without suffering this downside, a weakness that doesn’t plague other concentration spells.
The point of this exercise is not to reiterate an argument that we have made about the usefulness of haste, but rather to point out that haste is not an inherently superior spell to bless despite being two levels higher—and that haste vs. bless is far from the only example where in lower-level spells are as good or better compared to higher level ones, and thus we want to emphasize that you should not always default to a certain spell just because it’s higher level!
This makes the buck spell a valuable tool for spellcasters who wish to defend themselves or others without resorting to more violent or destructive measures. However, it is important for spellcasters to exercise caution when using a buck spell in close proximity to other individuals. The force of the spell can be quite powerful and may inadvertently cause harm or injury to innocent bystanders. Therefore, it is crucial for the spellcaster to have a high level of control and accuracy when casting a buck spell, ensuring that it is directed solely at the intended target and not anyone else in the vicinity. Additionally, the spellcaster should also be mindful of their surroundings and any potential hazards that may be present, such as objects that could be knocked over or damaged by the force of the spell. In conclusion, a buck spell is a powerful and versatile magical spell that can be used to quickly and effectively neutralize a threat or defend oneself. Its main advantage lies in its ability to incapacitate an opponent without causing them lasting harm, making it a valuable tool in a spellcaster's arsenal. However, it is important for spellcasters to use caution and control when casting a buck spell in close proximity to others, in order to prevent unintended harm or damage..
Reviews for "The Science of the Buck Spell: Understanding Close Proximity Magic"
1. Laura - 1 star
I was really excited to try out "Buck Spell in Close Proximity" after hearing so much hype about it. However, I was completely disappointed. The storyline was all over the place and it was difficult to keep track of what was going on. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Overall, I found the book extremely disjointed and confusing. It just didn't live up to the expectations I had.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Buck Spell in Close Proximity" as it seemed to be a promising fantasy novel. Unfortunately, the writing style left much to be desired. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the pacing was incredibly slow. The plot lacked originality and was filled with clichés. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and found myself losing interest more often than not. While the concept of the story had potential, the execution fell flat for me.
3. Sarah - 1 star
I couldn't get past the first few chapters of "Buck Spell in Close Proximity". The writing was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and the excessive use of metaphors and similes became distracting. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found it hard to stay engaged with the story. The characters were uninteresting and lacked development. Overall, I found the book to be a slog to get through and ultimately gave up on it. It just wasn't for me.