A Dnd bestow curse is a powerful and potentially devastating curse that can be cast in the Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) role-playing game. This curse is often used by villains or powerful creatures to inflict harm or control over their enemies. The bestow curse spell is a 3rd-level spell that can be found in the Player's Handbook. It allows the caster to place a curse on a target, causing them to suffer from a variety of effects. The curse is usually chosen by the caster and can range from causing the target to have lower ability scores, reducing their hit points, or even preventing them from casting spells. When a character is affected by a bestow curse, they must make a saving throw to resist its effects.
When you cast the spell, you may choose one of the curse options presented below, or work with your DM to create an alternative effect, providing that it is not more powerful than the options provided (your DM has final say).
Curse of Flesh Hunger While cursed, anytime the target is exposed to dead flesh, whether in a butcher shop, battlefield, or tomb, they must roll a d20. 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.
When a character is affected by a bestow curse, they must make a saving throw to resist its effects. If they fail the save, they become cursed and suffer the chosen effects for the duration of the curse. The duration of the curse can vary depending on the caster's level and the type of curse chosen.
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.
As a touch spell, it also meets the criteria to be cast through a familiar, using its reaction.
What makes the bestow curse spell particularly potent is that it can be cast at higher levels, increasing the severity of the curse. At higher levels, the spell can even cause the target to become paralyzed or lose their ability to take actions. This can greatly incapacitate a character and make them more vulnerable to attacks from enemies. In addition to the mechanical effects of the curse, a bestow curse can also have significant role-playing implications. The curse could be a plot device used by a villain to manipulate or control a character, or it could be the result of a powerful artifact that the characters must find a way to remove. The curse can also serve as a moral dilemma, forcing characters to choose whether to lift the curse or leave the target in their cursed state. Overall, a Dnd bestow curse is a powerful spell that can have dire consequences for its target. It adds an element of danger and tension to a DnD game, making it a memorable and challenging encounter for the players. Whether used by a villain or a powerful creature, a bestow curse can dramatically impact the outcome of a game and the fate of the characters involved..
Reviews for "The Curse of the Fey: What Happens When Fairy Magic Goes Awry in Dnd"
1. Mark - ★★☆☆☆
I was really disappointed with "Dnd bestoe curse". The story felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Additionally, the characters were flat and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their fates. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on too long while others felt rushed. Overall, I found this book to be a lackluster read that didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Jessica - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Dnd bestoe curse" but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing style was awkward and clunky, making it difficult for me to get into the story. I also found the plot to be predictable and cliché, lacking any originality. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. Overall, I couldn't fully enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating fantasy read.
3. Alex - ★☆☆☆☆
I couldn't bring myself to finish "Dnd bestoe curse" as the entire premise felt overdone and unoriginal. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions didn't make sense in the context of the story. The world-building was haphazard and lacked depth, leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting. The lack of attention to detail and sloppy writing made it difficult for me to engage with the book. Overall, I found this to be a forgettable and disappointing read.