It has come to my attention that there is purportedly an overpowered, unbalanced, straight
up HORRIBLE spell in D&D 5th edition that is ruining the game.
In fact, recently I've received many emails expressing deep concern and great dismay.
So, today we're going to put this vicious rumor to rest and set the record straight.
Because there are like concerned citizens out there.
Hey, Luke Hart here.
Good to see you again, just like every Tuesday!
And just in case you're new to my channel, I've been a dungeon master since high school,
and I create weekly D&D videos with information and resources to help dungeon masters run
awesome games.
Today in the Lair, we're going to be talking about a spell that some believe may be ruining
the game.
Now that's pretty strong language – ruining – so this must be really serious stuff we're
talking about here.
I can imagine players are burning their PHBs and dungeons masters are melting down their
minis.
I mean, this is no joke.
This could be the end times for D&D.
So, let's see if we can figure this out, eh?
Shoot, I mean, I've been playing 5th edition for YEARS now, and the game hasn't been
ruined yet for all my groups.
Which means we're either not using this particular spell -- thank God -- or it's insidiously deceptive.
It's like a sleeper cell, just lying in wait for the right moment, and then
BAM!
That's it folks, pack it up, D&D is over.
It's time to go play Dungeon World or Call of Cthulhu.
Unless, of course, it's just a bunch of bull crap, and the spell is NOT actually ruining
the game.
And just in case you're wondering, I do actually plan to tell you at some point the
name of this spell that may or may not be ruining D&D 5th edition.
I just wanted to tease it out for a while to get you all worked up and foaming at the
mouth.
Okay, you ready?
[Luke fuming and very angry.]
[whispering to camera] It's Healing Word.
Yeah, that's right, Healing Word.
Well la-de-friggin-da, who cares?
Egg-zactly!
Who cares.
I mean, I could think of several spells off hand that are really powerful in the game
and can "ruin" encounters.
We got banishment, animate objects, wall of force, hypnotic pattern -- all of those spells used in the right situation are incredibly powerful.
And the list goes on and on and on.
But no where on that list is Healing Word.
Like nowhere.
I mean, Healing Word gets picked last at recess for sure.
Okay, now besides mocking this, I'm sure you all expect me to give you some reasons.
So, yeah, let's go through some actual reasons here before someone freaks out on me.
Oh, and before we do that, quick reminder to stay tuned to the end of the video for
a special DM Bonus Tip!
Now, a long time ago in D&D, we used to have dedicated healers.
These dudes basically spent every battle all the battle long rushing from one PC to another,
simply healing them.
I mean, that's all they did. All of their spell slots, all of their resources were reserved to heal people.
That was their job.
[weird voice] Hey buddy, you're the healer.
Sorry, but uh, while the rest of us play D&D you're going to babysit our hit points.
Try to keep up, okay?
And along comes Healing Word and puts an end to that.
No longer does the cleric have to be nothing but a heal-bot.
Like the cleric can actually do OTHER STUFF.
Clerics can finally play the game!!!
Since Healing Word is a ranged spell, they don't have to run around the battle field
healing everyone.
They can just stand wherever and when needed toss some healing around.
Crap, this sounds like clerics just got liberated from a life of slavery.
Does this sound like a spell that's ruining the game?
[weird voice] Oh, but Luke, Healing Word is just a bonus action, so it throws action economy
off.
Look, you cast Healing Word as a bonus action, and then for your action you can only cast
a cantrip. So there is a sort of limiting factor there.
You got friggin wizards casting Mass Suggestion and paladins giving everyone +5 to saving
throws and resistance to all spell damage…
And you're worried about Healing Word plus a cantrip?
[mocking voice] Come on, really?
Really?
And don't even get me started on paladins.
Argggg [angry face and clenching fists] [weird voice] But wait, Luke, Healing Word
is like a get out of jail card.
It's easy, cheap, at range healing.
Dude, it heals 1d4 damage.
1d4 – plus your spell casting modifier I WISH my players were healing 1d4 damage
while my monsters are dealing much more than that.
Guess who's gonna win that battle!
Unfortunately, my players are far too smart to do that.
Instead, they save Healing Word for emergencies when an ally drops to 0 hit points and needs
to get back up.
Is that a bad thing?
I mean, how hard do we need to make it?
If they're dropping to 0 hit points, things are already going badly for the group.
Do we really need to make them do some sort of magic dance and special handshake to heal
their fallen comrade?
[Hey, I'm a pretty good dancer, right?]
Alright, I don't know if I'm making super logical arguments here or just abusing my
ability to make videos.
However, I can say that EXPERIENTALLY healing word has yet to ruin any of my games.
And I run quite a few D&D games…
Lots of healing word getting thrown around, and uh, yeah we're good, we're good here.
But hey, you all are pretty smart, so why don't you let me know some more reasons that healing word is NOT ruining the game.
An insider secret here - I did pretty well in charisma class, but not so well in logic.
And if you think Healing Word is ruining the game, let me know as well.
I swear, I will not do a part 2 mocking you.
By the way, Taylor over at the Dungeon Master's Workshop has some really good thoughts about
this topic, too.
[whispering] I may or may not have stolen some of his ideas…
I'll toss a link below to his article if you're interesting in checking it out.
Okay, now before we move on to the DM bonus tip, [odd voice] a word from our sponsors!
Wait!
Since when do I have sponsors?!?
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Now, I'm a pretty critical guy – just in case you couldn't tell by this video
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I'll throw a link down below to it, and if you use the promo code THEDMLAIR you can
save 10%.
Alright!
And now it's time for the DM bonus tip!
Remember, whatever your players can do, YOU CAN DO TOO!
Let's just say for the sake of argument that healing word IS overpowered.
Then holy crap, even the odds already.
Have your bad guys start casting it!
If the spell's that good, then lots and lots of caster in the world are going to learn
that spell.
That's the way things work!
By the way, if you're interested in joining a community of dungeon masters who help each
other out, check out my Discord server.
Not only are there other DMs there, both new and veteran, but it's where I hang out the
most, answering questions and helping folks out.
Link below.
Smash that like button if you found this video helpful, click down here to subscribe, and
click over here to watch another fine video.
And until next time…
Let's play D&D!
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