Blade Ward
You extend your hand and trace a sigil of warding in the air. Until the end of your next turn, you have resistance against bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage dealt by weapon attacks.
At a Glance
Level
Cantrip
School
Abjuration
Casting Time
1 action
Range
Self
Duration
1 round
Concentration
No
How Blade Ward Works
| Casting Time | 1 action |
|---|---|
| Range | Self |
| Components | V, S |
| Duration | 1 round |
Available to:
BardSorcererWarlockWizard
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Thinking it works against spell damage - it only protects against weapon attacks
Common Mistake
Using it when you need to attack that turn - it uses your action so you can't cast attack spells
Common Mistake
Forgetting it only lasts until the end of your next turn, not a full minute
DM Tips
DM Tip
This spell is rarely optimal in combat since taking the Dodge action is usually better
DM Tip
Consider allowing creative uses like using it before intentionally triggering a trap
Sources & Further Reading
- Blade Ward — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD text
- Blade Ward — Roll20 Compendium — Structured reference
- Blade Ward — D&D Beyond — Official digital reference