Bane 5e - D&D 5th Edition Spell Book

Bane 5e DnD Spell
Bane 5e Image

Bane 5e Spell Effects

1st-level enchantment


Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 30 feet

Components: V, S, M (a drop of blood)

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute


Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must make Charisma saving throws. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw.


At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each spell slot above 1st.


All information on Bane 5e comes from the D&D 5th edition Player's Handbook.

Bane 5e

Classes That Can Cast Bane 5e

The following classes may cast Bane 5e as part of their normal class spell availability:


Surprisingly, warlock can't cast Bane 5e, and same with wizard and sorcerer. Bane is not the greatest spell in the world, so it's a bit surprising that other, more attack-based spell casting classes, don't gain access.


Bane 5e Spell Effectiveness

Basically, Bane 5e is the Bless 5e spell, but in reverse. Whereas Bless provides targets with +1d4 on attack rolls and saving throws, Bane 5e - if it hits its targets - does the opposite.


To be very clear, Bless 5e is by far one of the best spells in the game. The extra +1d4 for attack rolls and saving throws may not seem like much, but it does affect three targets from a single cast. Mathematically, it provides an additional 12.5% damage to affected allies, and also reduces the chance that they'll be hit by some spells and effects (those that require saving throws) by 12.5%. It's very good.


Bane 5e has all the potential that Bless has, except that it requires a Charisma saving throw to succeed. Of course, you see where I'm going with this: Bless affects targets 100% of the time, whereas Bane 5e only affects enemies less than 100% of the time. So, say that you only hit 1-2 enemies with Bane 5e - that would mean that your spell cast was only 1/3 - 2/3 as effective as Bless would have been, in the same situation.


So, bottom line is that I have to give Bane 5e a low-tier grade, at least in comparison to Bless.


Bane Usefulness

Even though Bane probably isn't the best overall spell out there, it certainly does have its useful points. Try using Bane in the following situations, to maximize its potential:

  • When you're not likely to be attacked, so you can avoid losing spell concentration. The last thing you want after hitting someone with Bane 5e is for the effect to fade due to broken concentration.
  • When you or an ally is planning to unleash a very big attack against the enemy, which requires a saving throw. If you can reduce the enemy's chances to avoid an attack, then you can force Bane into playing a very large role, indeed.
  • Against three or more targets. At the very least, make sure that you're reducing attack rolls and saving throws for as many creatures as the spell allows for - which is three, with a 1st-level spell slot.


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Combine Bane 5e with the Following Spells

It's always useful to reduce enemy hit chances against your allies, but I personally find that I get the most value out of Bane when it's used to make a target more susceptible to huge attacks that require a saving throw. Try combining Bane 5e with some of the following spells, for maximum effect.

  • Acid Splash 5e: if you're running out of spell slots, you can make even your basic cantrips more powerful by lowering the target's saving throws. Cast Bane on enemies and you'll give yourself more power with acid splash and other direct-damage effects.
  • Animal Friendship 5e: if you're facing animal enemies, animal friendship is basically charm person (below) but for beasts.
  • Cause Fear 5e: as with all fear effects, cause fear is a great way to mitigate enemy damage. Though you can't cast two concentration spells at the same time, after you cast and concentrate on Bane, an ally could use cause fear.
  • Charm Person 5e: similar to cause fear, charm person would require an ally's help, since it's also a concentration spell. Again though, if you can raise your chances of charming an enemy, then Bane will have been well-worth your efforts to cast.
  • Hellish Rebuke 5e: though Bane 5e isn't great on its own, the spell becomes outright fantastic when paired with Hellish Rebuke. For a 1st-level spell, Hellish Rebuke packs a very large punch, and giving it more hit chance against enemies is a major plus.


Bane 5e Counters

As mentioned above, since Bane is basically just the opposite of Bless, if you cast Bane on an enemy, they can easily "counter" the effect with Bless. Otherwise, silence 5e is always effective for preventing spell casters from casting spells in the first place. And even spells like spiritual weapon 5e make life difficult for characters concentrating on spells, as the floating weapon can attack (and potentially break spell concentration) every turn.


Bane-Type Spells in Eternity TTRPG

Maybe you're new to the Eternity TTRPG site and haven't yet seen the Eternity TTRPG Game System. In Eternity TTRPG, you can play with multiple game masters (who can each still play their own character), everyone has more say into the game's story and world-building, and combat is often quite tactical.


Below is a sample spell that's similar to Bane 5e so that you can get some insight into how the Eternity TTRPG Game System actually works.

Chaosmancer Class Icon

Chaosmancer - Core Class Spell

Eclipse (Magic): up to 3 enemies in 4Range, this spell automatically hits. Affected targets have -1Resilience, -1Dodge, and -1Will (can stack without limit). Lowered Resilience, Dodge, and Will from “Eclipse” cannot be dispelled. 

  • (Chaos Stream) Instead gives -2Resilience, -2Dodge, and -2Will (can stack without limit).
  • (Mirror Star) 8Range. You also have 8Range when casting this spell, for Battle Duration. 
  • (Celestial Energies) You can still cast this spell while Dazed, Afraid, Locked, or Silenced. You also gain +7Initiative for 1turn.


Though eclipse doesn't reduce target hit chance, it does provide them with lowered defenses. Additionally, eclipse does affect multiple targets at a time, like Bane 5e. One very nice plus about eclipse is that unlike Bane 5e, this spell does not require a hit chance, but automatically takes effect on intended targets.


Curious to learn more? Check out the Eternity TTRPG Core Game PDF!

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Jacob Tegtman Eternity TTRPG Creator

Author - Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed this article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

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D&D Heads to Magic: The Gathering's Lorwyn-Shadowmoor

By Jacob Tegtman • October 7, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE2fUonKzl8 Transcription Dungeons & Dragons is officially crossing over with Magic: The Gathering’s Lorwyn-Shadowmoor! This fairytale world of eternal sunlight and creeping twilight is joining the Forgotten Realms through a brand-new digital-exclusive expansion. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG—your go-to source for all things Dungeons & Dragons! So, what’s this mysterious realm and why is it part of the new 5.5 Edition rollout? And—should you actually spend fifteen bucks on it? Let’s dive in. Wizards of the Coast is making a bold move with Lorwyn: First Light—a brand-new digital-only supplement coming to D&D Beyond on November 18th . According to both Bell of Lost Souls and D&D Beyond’s official announcement, it’s part of the new Forgotten Realms bundle—which includes The Player’s Guide, Adventures in Faerûn, and three exclusive add-ons: Astarion’s Book of Hungers Netheril’s Fall and today’s star—Lorwyn: First Light. So, what is Lorwyn-Shadowmoor? If you’ve played Magic: The Gathering back in the late 2000s, you might remember these twin worlds—one a radiant fairytale land of endless summer, the other a dark, dreamlike reflection of it. In D&D terms, it’s being reimagined as a Domain of Delight in the Feywild—those whimsical, dangerous realms ruled by Archfey. But here’s the twist: Lorwyn and Shadowmoor used to shift every few centuries—light giving way to night. Now, both have begun bleeding together in unpredictable ways. Imagine meadows of sunlight interrupted by patches of midnight, separated by shimmering auroras. It’s a stunning concept—and one that promises both beauty and peril in equal measure. The big question is what do you actually get with Lorwyn: First Light? According to Wizards’ release info, you’ll get: 2 new feats 2 new backgrounds (likely tied to those feats) 2 new magic items 8 monsters drawn from the Feywild’s weirdest corners 2 playable species , plus advice for adapting 8 more to the Lorwyn-Shadowmoor setting Two mini-adventures —each with maps ready to drop into your campaign And yes, all of this can be used in the Forgotten Realms or as standalone Feywild content. Characters might cross over via fey crossings, or your adventurers might stumble through a glowing portal in the Moonshae Isles straight into a land where “dreams have claws.” The price tag is $14.99 for the standalone version—or as part of the Forgotten Realms Ultimate Bundle, which includes digital dice, and both digital and physical book copies. That’s stirred some debate online. Some fans love the idea of expanding the Feywild with official crossover content, while others worry it’s another micro-expansion cash grab. But the excitement is real—this marks the first time a Magic: The Gathering setting has officially joined D&D 5.5E. If this goes well, you should probably expect Wizards to do more of this kind of thing. In any case whether you’re a Lorwyn nostalgia fan or just want more Feywild flavor in your campaigns, this expansion could scratch both your card game and tabletop itches. Do you think that Lorwyn: First Light will be a delightful addition to your Feywild campaigns—or is this just another shiny portal to your wallet? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring that bell for more weekly D&D news and updates.

Gygax Memorial Fund Kickstarter to Commemorate Gary and D&D

By Jacob Tegtman • October 3, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfmCpJPQM7o Transcription The Gygax Memorial Fund is working to build a D&D memorial for the late Gary Gygax. The memorial will (hopefully) be placed in Library Park , in downtown Lake Geneva, Wisconsin —the birthplace of Dungeons & Dragons. This is the park that Gary himself loved and even chose as the spot for a memorial before he passed. In 2024, during D&D’s 50th anniversary, the city officially granted land for the project. This memorial will be a life-sized stone gaming table, with a dungeon map designed by Gary Gygax himself. But the question is, will this Kickstarter finally succeed where past efforts failed? Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG—your weekly quest hub for all things Dungeons & Dragons. Today, we’re talking about a very feel-good story for your Friday – a legendary project years in the making: the Gary Gygax Memorial Game Table. Gary, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, passed away in 2008. Since then, his widow Gail Gygax has championed the idea of a permanent memorial in their hometown of Lake Geneva. Now, the Gygax Memorial Fund has revealed their project: a stone game table in Library Park, complete with benches and, eventually, a bronze statue of Gary himself. The table will feature a bronze map of Gygax’s very first dungeon. The Kickstarter launched October 1st, 2025, marking the anniversary of TSR, the company Gary founded to publish D&D. Backers for this project get everything from digital scrolls to engraved pavers around the monument. Of course, fans are excited—but also cautious. The Gygax Memorial Fund has been planning memorials since at least 2012, and past efforts fizzled after raising over $100K. This has left some fans asking wondering about this attempt. On EN World, one user wrote: ‘The fund has talked about this for a decade—none of it has come to fruition. What makes this attempt special?’ But others point out that since Paul Stormberg took over as chair in 2020, the fund has started producing real results—like memorial benches and library exhibits. And with Lake Geneva officially granting land for the project, this campaign has a stronger foundation than ever. For some D&D fans, this may not just be a statue, but a chance to gather in the very town where roleplaying was – more or less – born. It is pretty amazing to think that you could sit at Gary’s table and roll dice on his original dungeon. This is both a tribute to the past and a playable monument for future generations of adventurers. If you’re interested in helping fund the project, I’ll leave a link the video description, and comments. And lastly, what do you think? Will the Gary Gygax Memorial Game Table finally become a reality—or is this another critical fumble? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring that bell so you don’t miss next week’s D&D news.
Illustration for Critical Role Campaign 4, with a blindfolded green humanoid, castle landscape, and logo.

Critical Role's Campaign 4 Trailer Looks to be Heralding a Great Story

By Jacob Tegtman • September 30, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv9HBlNaSMY Transcription Critical Role just dropped the story trailer for Campaign 4. It is looking like a bold campaign. We’re talking a brand-new world, an incredible 13 player characters, and a plot that kicks off with the execution of a revolutionary firebrand named Thiatzi Fang (we’ll see if I got that pronunciation right). Oh—and if you didn’t see my last video on the topic or you haven’t heard, Brennan Lee Mulligan is DMing this campaign while Matt Mercer will be a player.  Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG—your portal of divination into all things Dungeons & Dragons. First up with campaign 4—the setting. Unlike every previous Critical Role story, Campaign 4 leaves Exandria behind entirely. Instead, we’re venturing into Araman, a godless realm still haunted by the echoes of dead deities and a rebellion that shook the land 80 years ago. This isn’t just new lore, but a blank canvas, making it perfect if you’ve never watched Critical Role. There’s no prior knowledge required, which is perfect for new fans, but also a fresh start for longtime Critters. The trailer centers on Thiatzi Fang, a revolutionary who led something called the Falcon’s Rebellion twelve years back. Now, he’s been captured, condemned, and set to be executed by the mysterious Sundered Houses. Fang himself calls the Revolutionary Council a shadow of its former glory, while hinting at the unfinished war against the gods of Araman. So already, we’re looking at political intrigue, rebellion, and a potential spark for civil war. This time, Critical Role also isn’t just one party. That is to say, because there’s 13-players, they’re actually split into three connected, but altogether different parties. Each of these parties also has a name, describing their main focus in the campaign: The Seekers, the Soldiers, and the Schemers. This setup is packed with themes that Critical Role’s new DM, Brennan Lee Mulligan thrives on—iconoclasm, unity, and tension between hope and despair. The godless world of Araman asks: Without the Gods, who will seize the crown? Fans are buzzing that this campaign might explore things akin to segments from Game of Thrones, but with more dice rolls and way more crying. If you want to check it out, Campaign 4 launches October 2nd at 7 PM PT , streaming on Twitch, YouTube, and Critical Role’s Beacon service. Like I mentioned in my last video on Critical Role, they’ll be using the 2024 D&D 5e rules , with some special homebrew added by none other than Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins. And yes, you can jump in totally fresh if you want to see what Critical Role’s all about—no prior Exandria knowledge required. So—what do you think? Is Thiatzi Fang a hero, a villain, or something much more complicated? And which of the three parties are you most hyped to see—the Seekers, Soldiers, or Schemers? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s get the speculation for this season’s campaign rolling. And lastly, if you liked this quick update, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring that bell so you don’t miss our usually bi-weekly dives into the biggest stories in the D&D universe. Until next time—may your rolls be high, and your executions be… postponed.
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