This guide dives deep into the paladin spell Compelled Duel, offering practical advice and advanced strategies to maximize its effectiveness. We’ll cover everything from the basic mechanics to tactical synergies and potential counters, empowering you to use Compelled Duel like a true battlefield commander.
Compelled Duel is a paladin’s signature move for controlling the battlefield. It’s not mind control; it’s more like a magical taunt, forcing a chosen foe to focus their attention (and probably their attacks) on you. Let’s unravel the mechanics.
Grasping the Spell’s Essence
Compelled Duel is a 1st-level enchantment spell, cast as a bonus action with a 30-foot range. It requires a verbal component and, crucially, your concentration for up to one minute. The target makes a Wisdom saving throw. Success? The spell fizzles. Failure? That’s where the tactical fun begins. For more on infernal magic, check out the Chains of Asmodeus.
Tactical Applications: Beyond the One-on-One
Compelled Duel isn’t just for dueling; it’s a versatile tool for battlefield manipulation. Need to peel a hulking brute off your squishy wizard? Compelled Duel. Want to disrupt a dangerous spellcaster, giving your party a breather? Compelled Duel. The possibilities are vast. Delve into the Crota’s End loot table for more strategic insights.
Advantages and Disadvantages: A Calculated Risk
The advantages are clear: isolating threats, protecting allies, and creating predictable enemy behavior. But there are risks. A successful Wisdom save renders the spell useless. Losing your concentration prematurely ends the duel. Some enemies may even have abilities that allow them to ignore the compulsion. For a deeper understanding of otherworldly entities, explore Elverruca.
Synergies and Counters: Amplifying and Nullifying the Duel
Compelled Duel shines when combined with other paladin abilities. Bless can improve your party’s saves and attacks while the compelled foe struggles. Shield of Faith bolsters your defenses against their focused attacks. Conversely, Freedom of Movement completely negates Compelled Duel’s effects. A cunning enemy might rely on ranged attacks or simply do nothing, forcing you to waste actions.
Illustrative Examples: From Theory to Practice
Imagine a rogue targeting your cleric. Compelled Duel forces the rogue to engage you, giving the cleric time to heal. Or perhaps a powerful enemy is bombarding your party from afar. Compelling them to duel forces them closer, putting them within reach of your melee fighters.
Tips and Tricks: Mastering the Art of the Duel
Terrain Advantage: Position yourself near difficult terrain to limit the enemy’s movement.
Action Economy: Anticipate the compelled creature’s actions, as they can still Disengage, Dash, or Hide.
Target Selection: Prioritize enemies with low Wisdom saves. Those with area-of-effect attacks can still harm your allies even while compelled.
Recognize Suboptimal Situations: Against a horde of weaker enemies or a target immune to charm effects, Compelled Duel is less effective.
Debunking the Charm Myth
Compelled Duel often gets lumped in with charm spells, but it’s distinctly different. Charm spells manipulate emotions; Compelled Duel enforces a magical taunt. The target isn’t your friend; they’re simply forced to prioritize you.
More Than Just a Taunt
Compelled Duel is incredibly versatile. It protects allies, isolates foes, and dictates combat terms. It’s like setting the stage for a gladiatorial arena where you control the flow of battle.
Limits of the Duel
Ranged attackers can still pelt you from afar (though moving beyond 30 feet triggers another Wisdom save). Mobile foes can kite you, and any concentration-breaking effect can end the spell prematurely. Some monsters possess innate abilities to bypass the spell’s restrictions.
Power-Ups and Counters
Compelled Duel synergizes well with spells like Bless and Shield of Faith, and paladin auras further enhance survivability. Conversely, a successful Wisdom save or a spell like Freedom of Movement can nullify its effects.
Practical Examples
A raging orc charging your cleric? Compelled Duel redirects their fury onto you. A nimble rogue harassing your backline? Compelled Duel halts their advance.
Comparing Compelled Duel and Hold Person
Feature
Compelled Duel
Hold Person
Spell Level
1st
2nd
Target
One creature
Up to two humanoids
Effect
Disadvantage on attacks vs. others, restricted movement
Paralyzed
Hold Person is more potent but has limitations. Compelled Duel offers greater flexibility.
Ongoing Research and Evolving Strategies
The effectiveness of Compelled Duel is constantly being reevaluated as new strategies and interpretations emerge. Experimentation is key to maximizing its potential in your games.
Dispelling the Fighting Style Confusion
Compelled Duel isn’t a fighting style like Great Weapon Fighting; it’s a tactical maneuver. It doesn’t dictate how you fight; it influences who you fight.
Deep Dive: Mechanics and Tactics
Compelled Duel makes you the center of attention for one enemy. This 1st-level enchantment spell doesn’t remove free will; it imposes a penalty for ignoring you.
Tactical Advantages: Battlefield Control
It’s about choosing who gets attacked. Protect your wizard from the dragon? Compelled Duel. Need to distract a foe from your rogue? Compelled Duel.
Mechanics of the Magical Leash
A failed Wisdom save means disadvantage on attacks against others. Trying to flee triggers another save. It’s an invisible leash, keeping your foe within a certain radius.
Synergies and Counters: Strategic Play
Combine Compelled Duel with Divine Smite or Aura of Protection. However, ranged attacks and Freedom of Movement can counter it. Area-of-effect spells are also unaffected.
Practical Examples: Adapting to the Situation
An ogre charging your bard? Compelled Duel. A mage peppering your party from afar? Perhaps not the best choice. Target selection is crucial.
Advanced Strategies: Creative Applications
Lure enemies into traps or use it as a diversion. Discuss creative uses with your DM for non-combat scenarios, as this falls into a gray area. Some scholars even debate the ethics of such applications.
DM Collaboration: Ensuring Consistency
Discuss your intended use of Compelled Duel with your DM. Different interpretations exist, particularly regarding unique creatures.
By understanding the nuances of Compelled Duel – its mechanics, limitations, and potential – you can master the art of the magical duel and become a true force on the battlefield.
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