½ Level Spells (5e Variant Rule)
A ½-level spell is lesser than a 1st-level spell, but greater than a cantrip.
Spell Slots. When playing a typical class, whenever you would prepare or learn a 1st-level spell, you can instead learn or prepare a ½-level spell. When you cast a ½-level spell, you only use "half" of a 1st-level spell slot. The other half of the slot can only be used to cast another ½-level spell.
Spell Points. If using the Spell Points variant rule (DMG p288), one of these is simply called a "1-point spell" and casting it costs 1 spell point.
But Why? As spellcaster this is especially useful in the early game where all of your utility might be limited to a mere 2 or 3 daily spell slots, but drops off in usefulness as your number of spell slots and array of spells dramatically increases. A DM can have these spells available for "0th level" characters, be used by NPCs, or be found in early-game magic items, among other possibilities.
Official Spells. The following spells from official material could be ½-point spells due to their low perceived power level. Many are primarily cast as rituals.
- Arms of Hadar
- Ceremony
- Detect Poison and Disease
- Detect Magic
- Earth Tremor
- Floating Disk
- Identify
- Illusory Script
- Jump
- Purify Food and Drink
- Silent Image
- Unseen Servant
- Witch Bolt
Homebrew Spells. The following spells were created for use with this variant rule.
| Seafoam Spray | A cloud of sea foam gushes into a 10-foot cone originating from you to soak and slow nearby creatures. |
| Snowball Supply | Conjure a pile of up to 10 snowballs which can be used for far-reaching spell attacks by you or others. |
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