This guide explores the Infestation cantrip in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, delving into its mechanics, strategic applications, and creative potential. While often overlooked, Infestation offers surprising utility and tactical advantages for discerning spellcasters.
Infestation is a conjuration cantrip found in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. It allows spellcasters to summon a swarm of parasites onto a visible creature within 30 feet. The target makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, they take 1d6 poison damage and move 5 feet in a random direction (if their speed is 5 ft. or more).
Core Mechanics
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: Verbal (V), Somatic (S), Material (M – a living flea)
Duration: Instantaneous
Classes: Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Saving Throw: Constitution
The material component, a living flea, presents logistical challenges. Discuss this with your Dungeon Master; some may allow alternatives. This specific requirement is a frequent point of discussion amongst players and DMs. ixtapa beef probably doesn’t attract fleas, but you’d need to find other methods in a dungeon setting.
Effects
Damage: 1d6 poison damage, increasing at higher levels (2d6 at 5th, 3d6 at 11th, 4d6 at 17th). This damage occurs regardless of the saving throw. Some creatures, however, may be resistant or immune to poison damage, lessening Infestation‘s impact.
Forced Movement: On a failed saving throw, the target moves 5 feet in a random direction. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks. If the chosen direction is blocked, the target doesn’t move. Importantly, this forced movement occurs even if the target is immune to poison damage. This interaction has been clarified by official Sage Advice.
Strategic Applications: Beyond the Itch
Infestation’s strength lies not in its modest damage but in its disruptive potential.
Battlefield Control
Disrupting Positioning: Force enemies out of advantageous positions, away from allies, or into hazardous terrain. A 5-foot nudge can be the difference between safety and a fiery pit.
Creating Opportunities: Push a foe into the area of effect of another spell like Grease or Create Bonfire, or into a strategically placed trap. This synergy can turn a minor annoyance into a significant threat.
Nudging Enemies: Even a small forced movement can disrupt spellcasting by breaking concentration or shift an enemy just enough to expose them to a flanking attack.
Non-Combat Utility
Harassing NPCs: Need to create a distraction? Infestation can cause just enough chaos to allow for a sneaky escape or create an opening for a crucial conversation. Perhaps, it can even be utilized during an interrogation, though some might consider that a bit unethical!
Environmental Manipulation: Trigger traps or environmental hazards. Imagine nudging an enemy onto a pressure plate or closer to a precarious ledge. This requires careful planning and awareness of the surroundings.
Creative Uses and Advanced Strategies
Homebrew Modifications
Collaborate with your DM to explore homebrew options. Some popular modifications include increasing the damage, changing the damage type, allowing the caster to choose the direction of movement, or even inflicting a lingering itching effect that imposes disadvantage on certain actions. Perhaps even the bugs could briefly blind or deafen a target. This also addresses some of the user suggestions seen on Reddit, like applying a Frostbite-like effect.
Psychological Warfare
The psychological impact of Infestation is potent. Being covered in parasites can demoralize opponents, particularly those with entomophobia. This effect is not quantifiable in game mechanics, but a clever DM might consider imposing disadvantage on certain checks due to the target’s distraction and disgust.
DM Tips
DMs can use Infestation creatively against players, emphasizing its disruptive potential and creating memorable encounters. Imagine a swarm of stinging insects in a jungle or venomous spiders in a dark cave. The specifics of the “parasites,” tailored to the environment, can enhance the narrative and immersion. Consider using Infestation to represent a localized infestation or a specific parasitic disease, adding thematic depth to the encounter. This could even tie into a larger story arc involving a plague or curse.
Infestation vs. Other Cantrips
Comparing Infestation to other damaging cantrips helps understand its strengths and weaknesses. While Fire Bolt or Ray of Frost may inflict more damage, Infestation offers unique utility through its forced movement. In situations where battlefield control is crucial, Infestation may be preferable despite its lower damage output.
Conclusion: Embrace the Swarm
Infestation, despite its humble nature, is more than just a pesky cantrip. It’s a versatile tool for tactical disruption, battlefield control, and creative problem-solving. So, next time you’re preparing your spell list, don’t overlook the power of the swarm. Embrace the itch, and watch your enemies squirm! Now, while you’re considering options for your character’s attire, a jrotc class a uniform probably won’t offer much protection against these magical bugs. You’ll need to rely on your cunning and spellcasting prowess for that.
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