Is it possible to stack the damage done by the Absorb Elements spell?












3












$begingroup$


The absorb elements spell says




The spell captures some of the incoming energy, lessening its effect
on you and storing it for your next melee attack. You have resistance
to the triggering damage type until the start of your next turn. Also,
the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the
target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell
ends.



At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd
level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level
above 1st.




So if my Sorcerer is hit with a fire bolt from the enemy mage, I use my reaction to cast absorb elements at 3rd level so I now have 3d6 fire damage stored for my next melee attack, I then use my action to cast a 1st-level spell and my turn ends, resetting my reaction. Another enemy hits me with chain lightning and I use absorb elements again at 3rd level.



Do I now have 3d6 fire + 3d6 lightning or just 3d6 lightning stored for my next melee attack?










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    $endgroup$
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3












$begingroup$


The absorb elements spell says




The spell captures some of the incoming energy, lessening its effect
on you and storing it for your next melee attack. You have resistance
to the triggering damage type until the start of your next turn. Also,
the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the
target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell
ends.



At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd
level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level
above 1st.




So if my Sorcerer is hit with a fire bolt from the enemy mage, I use my reaction to cast absorb elements at 3rd level so I now have 3d6 fire damage stored for my next melee attack, I then use my action to cast a 1st-level spell and my turn ends, resetting my reaction. Another enemy hits me with chain lightning and I use absorb elements again at 3rd level.



Do I now have 3d6 fire + 3d6 lightning or just 3d6 lightning stored for my next melee attack?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Brendan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    1 hour ago














3












3








3





$begingroup$


The absorb elements spell says




The spell captures some of the incoming energy, lessening its effect
on you and storing it for your next melee attack. You have resistance
to the triggering damage type until the start of your next turn. Also,
the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the
target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell
ends.



At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd
level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level
above 1st.




So if my Sorcerer is hit with a fire bolt from the enemy mage, I use my reaction to cast absorb elements at 3rd level so I now have 3d6 fire damage stored for my next melee attack, I then use my action to cast a 1st-level spell and my turn ends, resetting my reaction. Another enemy hits me with chain lightning and I use absorb elements again at 3rd level.



Do I now have 3d6 fire + 3d6 lightning or just 3d6 lightning stored for my next melee attack?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Brendan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




The absorb elements spell says




The spell captures some of the incoming energy, lessening its effect
on you and storing it for your next melee attack. You have resistance
to the triggering damage type until the start of your next turn. Also,
the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the
target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell
ends.



At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd
level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level
above 1st.




So if my Sorcerer is hit with a fire bolt from the enemy mage, I use my reaction to cast absorb elements at 3rd level so I now have 3d6 fire damage stored for my next melee attack, I then use my action to cast a 1st-level spell and my turn ends, resetting my reaction. Another enemy hits me with chain lightning and I use absorb elements again at 3rd level.



Do I now have 3d6 fire + 3d6 lightning or just 3d6 lightning stored for my next melee attack?







dnd-5e spells damage stacking






share|improve this question









New contributor




Brendan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Brendan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago









V2Blast

25k383155




25k383155






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asked 1 hour ago









BrendanBrendan

212




212




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New contributor





Brendan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






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Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    1 hour ago


















  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
    $endgroup$
    – V2Blast
    1 hour ago
















$begingroup$
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago










1 Answer
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active

oldest

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5












$begingroup$

No, the extra damage is only added to one attack on your next turn.



Read the Absorb Elements text carefully:




Also, the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell ends.




(emphasis added by me)



The spell only provides a benefit during the turn after you cast Absorb Elements. You cannot "store" the extra damage across multiple turns.



If the Sorcerer did not make a melee attack roll on their next turn, then the benefit of Absorb Elements is lost at the end of that turn.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I think it's worth noting that even though the damage buff from absorb elements only lasts until the end of your next turn, it's still possible to cast it twice and then attack on your turn. Cast it once before your turn, then, when your turn starts, your reaction comes back and you cast it again on your turn (perhaps in response to an opportunity attack made with an elemental-enchanted weapon), and then finally make a melee attack on your turn. So you might want to explain what happens in that case.
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    48 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    +1, but if you could get an enemy to hit you with elemental damage on your next turn, you could actually use absorb elements again and stack the damage.
    $endgroup$
    – Miniman
    45 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I thought multiple castings of the same spell don't stack.
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    44 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I'm saying that it's possible to apply two castings of absorb elements to the same attack, and it's not 100% clear what happens in this case, especially if the triggering damage types are different, as in the OP's example. If they don't stack, then which is the "stronger effect" of 3d6 fire and 3d6 lightning?
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    42 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    @RyanThompson I understand that you can cast absorb elements once before your turn, then again during your turn, and then attack. But that means having the same spell active twice, and so the second casting replaces the first. Am I missing something?
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    16 mins ago













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1 Answer
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active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









5












$begingroup$

No, the extra damage is only added to one attack on your next turn.



Read the Absorb Elements text carefully:




Also, the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell ends.




(emphasis added by me)



The spell only provides a benefit during the turn after you cast Absorb Elements. You cannot "store" the extra damage across multiple turns.



If the Sorcerer did not make a melee attack roll on their next turn, then the benefit of Absorb Elements is lost at the end of that turn.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I think it's worth noting that even though the damage buff from absorb elements only lasts until the end of your next turn, it's still possible to cast it twice and then attack on your turn. Cast it once before your turn, then, when your turn starts, your reaction comes back and you cast it again on your turn (perhaps in response to an opportunity attack made with an elemental-enchanted weapon), and then finally make a melee attack on your turn. So you might want to explain what happens in that case.
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    48 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    +1, but if you could get an enemy to hit you with elemental damage on your next turn, you could actually use absorb elements again and stack the damage.
    $endgroup$
    – Miniman
    45 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I thought multiple castings of the same spell don't stack.
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    44 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I'm saying that it's possible to apply two castings of absorb elements to the same attack, and it's not 100% clear what happens in this case, especially if the triggering damage types are different, as in the OP's example. If they don't stack, then which is the "stronger effect" of 3d6 fire and 3d6 lightning?
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    42 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    @RyanThompson I understand that you can cast absorb elements once before your turn, then again during your turn, and then attack. But that means having the same spell active twice, and so the second casting replaces the first. Am I missing something?
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    16 mins ago


















5












$begingroup$

No, the extra damage is only added to one attack on your next turn.



Read the Absorb Elements text carefully:




Also, the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell ends.




(emphasis added by me)



The spell only provides a benefit during the turn after you cast Absorb Elements. You cannot "store" the extra damage across multiple turns.



If the Sorcerer did not make a melee attack roll on their next turn, then the benefit of Absorb Elements is lost at the end of that turn.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I think it's worth noting that even though the damage buff from absorb elements only lasts until the end of your next turn, it's still possible to cast it twice and then attack on your turn. Cast it once before your turn, then, when your turn starts, your reaction comes back and you cast it again on your turn (perhaps in response to an opportunity attack made with an elemental-enchanted weapon), and then finally make a melee attack on your turn. So you might want to explain what happens in that case.
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    48 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    +1, but if you could get an enemy to hit you with elemental damage on your next turn, you could actually use absorb elements again and stack the damage.
    $endgroup$
    – Miniman
    45 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I thought multiple castings of the same spell don't stack.
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    44 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I'm saying that it's possible to apply two castings of absorb elements to the same attack, and it's not 100% clear what happens in this case, especially if the triggering damage types are different, as in the OP's example. If they don't stack, then which is the "stronger effect" of 3d6 fire and 3d6 lightning?
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    42 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    @RyanThompson I understand that you can cast absorb elements once before your turn, then again during your turn, and then attack. But that means having the same spell active twice, and so the second casting replaces the first. Am I missing something?
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    16 mins ago
















5












5








5





$begingroup$

No, the extra damage is only added to one attack on your next turn.



Read the Absorb Elements text carefully:




Also, the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell ends.




(emphasis added by me)



The spell only provides a benefit during the turn after you cast Absorb Elements. You cannot "store" the extra damage across multiple turns.



If the Sorcerer did not make a melee attack roll on their next turn, then the benefit of Absorb Elements is lost at the end of that turn.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$



No, the extra damage is only added to one attack on your next turn.



Read the Absorb Elements text carefully:




Also, the first time you hit with a melee attack on your next turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and the spell ends.




(emphasis added by me)



The spell only provides a benefit during the turn after you cast Absorb Elements. You cannot "store" the extra damage across multiple turns.



If the Sorcerer did not make a melee attack roll on their next turn, then the benefit of Absorb Elements is lost at the end of that turn.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 1 hour ago









MikeQMikeQ

14.7k63286




14.7k63286








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I think it's worth noting that even though the damage buff from absorb elements only lasts until the end of your next turn, it's still possible to cast it twice and then attack on your turn. Cast it once before your turn, then, when your turn starts, your reaction comes back and you cast it again on your turn (perhaps in response to an opportunity attack made with an elemental-enchanted weapon), and then finally make a melee attack on your turn. So you might want to explain what happens in that case.
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    48 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    +1, but if you could get an enemy to hit you with elemental damage on your next turn, you could actually use absorb elements again and stack the damage.
    $endgroup$
    – Miniman
    45 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I thought multiple castings of the same spell don't stack.
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    44 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I'm saying that it's possible to apply two castings of absorb elements to the same attack, and it's not 100% clear what happens in this case, especially if the triggering damage types are different, as in the OP's example. If they don't stack, then which is the "stronger effect" of 3d6 fire and 3d6 lightning?
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    42 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    @RyanThompson I understand that you can cast absorb elements once before your turn, then again during your turn, and then attack. But that means having the same spell active twice, and so the second casting replaces the first. Am I missing something?
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    16 mins ago
















  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I think it's worth noting that even though the damage buff from absorb elements only lasts until the end of your next turn, it's still possible to cast it twice and then attack on your turn. Cast it once before your turn, then, when your turn starts, your reaction comes back and you cast it again on your turn (perhaps in response to an opportunity attack made with an elemental-enchanted weapon), and then finally make a melee attack on your turn. So you might want to explain what happens in that case.
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    48 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    +1, but if you could get an enemy to hit you with elemental damage on your next turn, you could actually use absorb elements again and stack the damage.
    $endgroup$
    – Miniman
    45 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I thought multiple castings of the same spell don't stack.
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    44 mins ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I'm saying that it's possible to apply two castings of absorb elements to the same attack, and it's not 100% clear what happens in this case, especially if the triggering damage types are different, as in the OP's example. If they don't stack, then which is the "stronger effect" of 3d6 fire and 3d6 lightning?
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    42 mins ago












  • $begingroup$
    @RyanThompson I understand that you can cast absorb elements once before your turn, then again during your turn, and then attack. But that means having the same spell active twice, and so the second casting replaces the first. Am I missing something?
    $endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    16 mins ago










1




1




$begingroup$
I think it's worth noting that even though the damage buff from absorb elements only lasts until the end of your next turn, it's still possible to cast it twice and then attack on your turn. Cast it once before your turn, then, when your turn starts, your reaction comes back and you cast it again on your turn (perhaps in response to an opportunity attack made with an elemental-enchanted weapon), and then finally make a melee attack on your turn. So you might want to explain what happens in that case.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
48 mins ago






$begingroup$
I think it's worth noting that even though the damage buff from absorb elements only lasts until the end of your next turn, it's still possible to cast it twice and then attack on your turn. Cast it once before your turn, then, when your turn starts, your reaction comes back and you cast it again on your turn (perhaps in response to an opportunity attack made with an elemental-enchanted weapon), and then finally make a melee attack on your turn. So you might want to explain what happens in that case.
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
48 mins ago














$begingroup$
+1, but if you could get an enemy to hit you with elemental damage on your next turn, you could actually use absorb elements again and stack the damage.
$endgroup$
– Miniman
45 mins ago




$begingroup$
+1, but if you could get an enemy to hit you with elemental damage on your next turn, you could actually use absorb elements again and stack the damage.
$endgroup$
– Miniman
45 mins ago




1




1




$begingroup$
I thought multiple castings of the same spell don't stack.
$endgroup$
– MikeQ
44 mins ago




$begingroup$
I thought multiple castings of the same spell don't stack.
$endgroup$
– MikeQ
44 mins ago




1




1




$begingroup$
I'm saying that it's possible to apply two castings of absorb elements to the same attack, and it's not 100% clear what happens in this case, especially if the triggering damage types are different, as in the OP's example. If they don't stack, then which is the "stronger effect" of 3d6 fire and 3d6 lightning?
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
42 mins ago






$begingroup$
I'm saying that it's possible to apply two castings of absorb elements to the same attack, and it's not 100% clear what happens in this case, especially if the triggering damage types are different, as in the OP's example. If they don't stack, then which is the "stronger effect" of 3d6 fire and 3d6 lightning?
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
42 mins ago














$begingroup$
@RyanThompson I understand that you can cast absorb elements once before your turn, then again during your turn, and then attack. But that means having the same spell active twice, and so the second casting replaces the first. Am I missing something?
$endgroup$
– MikeQ
16 mins ago






$begingroup$
@RyanThompson I understand that you can cast absorb elements once before your turn, then again during your turn, and then attack. But that means having the same spell active twice, and so the second casting replaces the first. Am I missing something?
$endgroup$
– MikeQ
16 mins ago












Brendan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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