Is it possible to stack the damage done by the Absorb Elements spell?
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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
New contributor
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add a comment |
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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
New contributor
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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?
dnd-5e spells damage stacking
New contributor
$endgroup$
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
dnd-5e spells damage stacking
New contributor
New contributor
edited 1 hour ago
V2Blast
25k383155
25k383155
New contributor
asked 1 hour ago
BrendanBrendan
212
212
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New contributor
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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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
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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
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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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.
$endgroup$
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.
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– Ryan Thompson
48 mins ago
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+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
|
show 3 more comments
Your Answer
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1 Answer
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active
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$begingroup$
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.
$endgroup$
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
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
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.
$endgroup$
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
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
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.
$endgroup$
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.
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
|
show 3 more comments
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
|
show 3 more comments
Brendan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Brendan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Brendan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Brendan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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– V2Blast
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