“Primal Savagery” is a spell in the 5th edition of the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. It is a cantrip, meaning it is a low-level spell that can be cast an unlimited number of times without expending a spell slot.
When you cast Primal Savagery, you channel primal magic to transform one of your natural weapons (such as a claw or tooth) into a magical, acid-infused version of that weapon. You can then make a melee spell attack with the weapon, dealing acid damage to your target.
The damage dealt by Primal Savagery increases as you gain levels in your class, and it has the additional benefit of overcoming damage resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks. The spell is available to Druids, Sorcerers, and Wizards in the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
You channel primal magic to cause your teeth or fingernails to sharpen, able to deliver a corrosive attack. Make a melee spell attack against one creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 acid damage. After you create the attack, your teeth or fingernails return to normal. The spell’s damage increases by 1d10 once you reach the 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).
Check also: Infernal Calling 5e
The next thing that struck me is that the spell takes an entire action but it also includes making a melee attack as a part of the spell, so really, a druid that’s okay with getting up close and private might also spam this every turn. After all, it’s better than most weapons Druids are proficient in by an extended shot. Plus, I believe, as a spell attack it should bypass resistance to non-magical weapons, right?
Primal Savagery 5e
- Casting Time: 1 action
- Range: Self
- Components: S
- Duration: Instantaneous
- Scales: Yes
- Casters: Druid
Effect
When you cast this spell, you channel primal magic to cause your teeth or fingernails to sharpen and grow, allowing you to make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of you. The target takes 1d10 acid damage if you hit. Additionally, this attack counts as a melee weapon attack, meaning you can use your spellcasting ability modifier instead of your Strength modifier to calculate your attack and damage rolls.
At higher levels:
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 4th.
Note: Primal Savagery is a great cantrip spell for druids or other spellcasters who find themselves in melee combat. It deals acid damage, which is not commonly resisted by creatures, and the spell attack rolls use your spellcasting ability modifier, which is often higher than your Strength modifier. Additionally, the spell scales well with higher spell slot levels, making it a reliable source of damage throughout your adventuring career.
Primal savagery was a transmutation cantrip utilized by druids to physically attack an opponent with magically sharpened, corrosive teeth and nails.
The spell briefly sharpened the caster’s teeth or nails, imbuing them with acidic properties. The druid then immediately attacked an opponent, delivering the acid with an intensity that increased because the caster grew in power. After the attack, the caster’s body returned to normal.
Heck, Druids are as good as equipped for melee when given a scaling melee cantrip. D8 hit die, medium armor, and shields. The most run into it’s that the simplest druid stuff requires concentration.
It might be fun to create sort of a Dreams druid to use Primal Savagery and Guardian of Nature. Not necessarily super effective, maybe, but fun. (I really wish the Primal Beast/strength attack option of Guardian of Nature was a touch more usable, no druid gets an extra attack, and the ranger doesn’t get level 4 spells until level 13.
In addition to hitting more often, cutting more often, and doing more average damage, the monk making unarmed strikes can now Stun with some of their hits too. (And potentially do other things with these hits, counting on their subclass.)
Plus, Primal Savagery’s acid damage is one of the more commonly resisted elemental damage types, which starts being a problem now. Whereas at the 6th level, the Monk starts doing magical bludgeoning damage together with his unarmed strikes.
you probably know what Primal Savagery is. If you haven’t, worry not! It’s a Druid cantrip that permits the Druid to grow claws or fangs and attack with them as a melee spell attack. Neat, right? It deals with 1d10 acid and scales with level.
For starters, it never says what sort of teeth. you’ll grow saber-tooth cat teeth, wolf teeth, snake fangs, or a full set of shark teeth. That’s pretty neat in and of itself. There’s technically nothing stopping you from making corrosive horns, tusks, or antlers, too.
Not enough? Use a broken banner’s pole, or natural lava glass- which is dense and forms odd shapes all the time. Still, want more? Bludgeon enemies with a decent net crammed with rocks, sea glass, shells, or whathaveyou. Don’t use an easy wooden staff!
Advantages
- Primal Savagery is a cantrip, meaning it can be cast an unlimited number of times without expending a spell slot.
- The spell deals acid damage, which can overcome damage resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks.
- The spell scales with your level, dealing more damage as you gain levels in your class.
- Primal Savagery is available to multiple classes, including Druids, Sorcerers, and Wizards.
Disadvantages
- Primal Savagery is a melee spell attack, meaning you have to be in close range to use it effectively.
- The spell only allows you to make a melee attack with a natural weapon, such as a claw or tooth, which may not be available to all characters.
- Acid damage may not always be the most effective damage type against certain enemies that are resistant or immune to acid.
- Primal Savagery cannot be used with two-weapon fighting, limiting your options for attacking multiple times in a turn.
FAQs
here are some frequently asked questions about Primal Savagery in D&D 5e along with their answers:
Q: Which classes can use Primal Savagery in D&D 5e?
A: Primal Savagery can be used by Druids, Sorcerers, and Wizards in D&D 5e.
Q: Is Primal Savagery a melee spell attack or a ranged spell attack?
A: Primal Savagery is a melee spell attack. The spell only allows you to make a melee attack with a natural weapon, such as a claw or a tooth.
Q: Does Primal Savagery deal magical damage?
A: Yes, Primal Savagery deals with magical acid damage. It can overcome damage resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks.
Q: How much damage does Primal Savagery deal?
A: The damage dealt by Primal Savagery depends on your level. At 1st level, it deals 1d10 acid damage. The damage increases as you gain levels, up to a maximum of 4d10 at the 17th level.
Q: Can Primal Savagery be used with two-weapon fighting?
A: No, Primal Savagery cannot be used with two-weapon fighting. The spell only allows you to make a melee spell attack with a single natural weapon.
Q: Can Primal Savagery be used with the Extra Attack feature?
A: Yes, you can use Primal Savagery with the Extra Attack feature if you have it. However, you can only use the spell to make one of your attacks, not both.
Q: Can Primal Savagery crit?
A: Yes, Primal Savagery can crit just like any other attack. If you roll a natural 20 on the attack roll, you automatically score a critical hit and double the damage dice.
Q: Does Primal Savagery require material components?
A: No, Primal Savagery does not require any material components. It is a verbal and somatic spell.