Spiritual Weapon 5e Tactics

Spiritual Weapon 5e is the choice spell for players who want to deal effective force damage to enemies from a distance — a great spell that (surprisingly) isn’t concentration based, and only costs a bonus action.


Picture this scenario: you’re a cleric exploring the grimy streets of the kingdom’s destitute reaches. You see a woman being cornered into an alley, the brigands planning to beat her and take her money. They ignore your shouts, so you instead cast a powerful evocation spell. When the woman opens her eyes, she sees you and a floating broadsword — and the brigands lying unconscious (or dead) on the ground. 


What did you do? You cast Spiritual Weapon 5e, a classic 2nd-level evocation spell that lets you make a ranged attack. If you’re a new player to TTRPGs or a dungeon master in training, I’ll share a guide about the Spiritual Weapon 5e effect and how you can use it to your advantage in this 5e strategy guide.

Spiritual Weapon 5e Villain

What Is the Spiritual Weapon 5e Spell?

According to the D&D 5th Edition Handbook, these are the official stats of the Spiritual Weapon 5e spell: 


  • Level: 2
  • School: Evocation
  • Casting Time: 1 bonus action
  • Range: 60 feet
  • Components: V, S
  • Duration: 1 minute


You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. On a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier.


For a bonus action, you can move the weapon up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.

The spectral weapon can appear however you want it to. If your character is a cleric of a deity that is known for a specific weapon or weapon style, the spell can resemble that weapon. 


Casting Spiritual Weapon using a 3rd Level or higher spell slot increases the damage by 1d8 for every two slot levels above the 2nd.


The spell’s range of 60 feet is usually enough to attack a wide range of enemies, including flying creatures. The range also works for those who have limited movement. However, you may not be able to cast the spell while restrained, given how it requires somatic and verbal components.

How Spiritual Weapon 5e Works

Spiritual Weapon belongs to the cleric spell list and lasts for only one minute. It’s best used for melee attacks against creatures within five feet of the spectral weapon, but it's basically perfect for almost every RPG campaign.


I want to emphasize that the spell only works on creatures – including humans and humanoids – and that technically, you can’t use it on objects like doors or walls. If your dungeon master is kind though, you should be able to get around this technicality.


In terms of damage, Spiritual Weapon applies a 1d8+ ability modifier. Since clerics usually have a higher Wisdom modifier, you should get in solid damage on every hit. 


Of course, you don’t have to focus all of your attacks on a single enemy. The advantage of the Spiritual Weapon 5e spell is that it can attack a different target on each bonus action. Plus, you can move it 20 feet further on every turn, as part of that same Bonus Action 5e.


The good stuff doesn’t end there. If you cast Spiritual Weapon with a high-level spell slot, the damage increases significantly. You can reduce your enemy’s hit points dramatically while you’re staying well away from their reach!


What Classes Can Use the Spiritual Weapon 5e Spell?

By default, clerics have the unique ability to cast Spiritual Weapon — a fitting spell for their divine magic. However, other classes can also pick up, learn, or acquire the spell:


  • College of Lore: Bards, in general, can eventually learn Spiritual Weapon as they learn bits and pieces of magic through Magical Secrets. Lore bards have additional secret choices at the 6th Level, so you can choose Spiritual Weapon as a new spell.
  • Divine Soul: Sorcerers under the Divine Soul subclass have access to either the cleric or sorcerer spell list (hence, why the subclass is extremely popular, but that’s just my personal observation). A Divine Soul sorcerer can learn Spiritual Weapon 5e as early as a cleric, at Level 3.
  • Oath of Conquest: Paladins belonging to the Oath of Conquest subclass can learn Spiritual Weapon at Level 5. This addition makes sense because Oath of Conquest paladins are often combative in nature. However, you still have to wait two more levels before your character can fully exploit the spell. Giving a paladin a ranged attack makes them even better at offense. 
Spiritual Weapon 5e

Spiritual Weapon For Players

As a spell that deals force damage, Spiritual Weapon is an ability to be reckoned with. Most other classes cannot resist force damage, making it effective at reducing the hit points of enemies, even if they have numerous other resistances. 


As a non-concentration-based spell, Spiritual Weapon also allows you to cast other long-duration spells along with it, such as Bless 5e or Haste 5e. Similarly, you can also cast cantrip spells like Sacred Flame.


Since Spiritual Weapon is a bonus action, you’re free to use spell slots to further increase your damage against enemies, or provide protection and healing to allies, such as with Cure Wounds 5e. Thanks to these combinations, your character becomes a formidable opponent that your enemies will tremble to behold.


Though Spiritual Weapon 5e may have a little less of a "surprise" factor if you're playing single player DnD, it's also the type of spell that's valuable even if you aren't playing with a gaming group, or adventuring in a party.


Can Spiritual Weapons Critical Strike? 

Seeing how the conjured weapon is spectral in nature, I understand why this is a frequent question among players. The short answer? Yes! Spiritual Weapon can critically strike since, by all technicalities, it’s still a melee spell attack. If you roll a natural 20, you’ll be able to hit with double damage. This condition applies even to subsequent attacks.


Ending the Spell

Each cast of Spiritual Weapon only lasts for a minute. But even though the duration is short, the conjured weapon cannot be destroyed. It doesn’t have hit points, nor can it take damage. In addition, Spiritual Weapon doesn’t stop if the caster is incapacitated or unconscious. The spell only ends after the set duration, or if it moves far enough away from the caster.


Counters to Spiritual Weapon 5e

As with virtually every spell in D&D, there are possible counters to the Spiritual Weapon effect. For example, if you are affected by Silence 5e, you won't be able to cast the spell to begin with. If you're affected by Cause Fear 5e or Charm Person 5e, similarly, you won't be able to attack your intended target, even if you have Spiritual Weapon already active.

Use Your Spiritual D&D Bag

Whether you're a player or a dungeon master, check out this awesome carrying bag designed for tabletop roleplaying. These bags have separate pouches for holding minis, dice, books, character sheets, space for maps, and even laptops.


If you're like me, you sometimes have a lot of things that you use for your tabletop gaming, and it's extremely convenient to have and carry everything in one compact space. You can also carry your DnD campaign planner in the bag to make your tabletop gaming experience complete.


Make your games stylish and easy to manage with a bag made for you, and that comes in custom colors that fit your play style.

Spiritual Weapon 5e For Dungeon Masters

As far as Dungeon Master tools go, you can grant the use of a Spiritual Weapon or use the spell to boost the destructive capabilities of any monster or foe. Because Spiritual Weapon is such a versatile spell, and naturally comes with many applications, it’s a sure value-added to any villain or their henchmen.


Allowing Players to Flank with Spiritual Weapon

It may seem like the Spiritual Weapon spell can serve as a tool for flanking, or when two allies are within five feet of an enemy’s opposite sides.


Flanking is a great way to get a melee attack advantage. However, this strategy requires creatures to be on either side of the opponent. Some players may argue that the Spiritual Weapon, sent by the caster to the opposite side of the enemy, counts as flanking. I’ll be clear though: it’s not. Technically.


You need allied creatures to get the melee attack advantage from flanking. Technically. Seeing as Spiritual Weapon is simply a weapon, it doesn’t meet the qualifications. If your players attempt to get extra damage through “flanking” with the spell, don’t grant it unless you plan to allow Spiritual Weapon to quite significantly increase in power.

Epic World Builder

Spiritual Weapon Aesthetics

The type of weapon a cleric or Divine Soul sorcerer can summon adds flavor to your DnD characters and DnD campaign ideas. Since these classes primarily use Divine Magic and are associated with a religious figure, you can make it so that their Spiritual Weapon manifests into something associated with their religion. For example, a cleric that follows Thor can have a Spiritual Weapon that looks like his hammer.


For Lore bards who eventually learn the spell, the weapon could deal thunder damage when used with other spells innate to the caster. You can also include demigods, divine emissaries, and lesser gods who can cast Spiritual Weapon.


Allowing Enemies to Cast Spiritual Weapon 5e

Consider challenging your players by including enemies that can cast Spiritual Weapon 5e.


In some of the official settings, you have characters that can perform the spell like the Mummy Lord, Choldrith, and Sahuagin Priestess. If you need some DnD quest ideas or ideas for DnD one shots, you can also add similar characters to your campaign and have them cast Spiritual Weapon too, for an added surprise to your players.


Utilize Spiritual Weapon for Additional Excitement

Spiritual Weapon is a great ranged spell attack, hitting enemies as far as 60 feet away. Since it’s also cast with a bonus action, Spiritual Weapon can be used with cantrips and other spells to enhance either one’s effects. This spell is thus a handy skill to learn for clerics, Divine Soul sorcerers, Lore bards, and Oath of Conquest paladins.


Since the spell can effectively attack from a range (from the player's perspective), it's also excellent for helping to avoid a TPK DnD.


With the details and strategies I shared, you can hopefully take advantage of this versatile spell for your upcoming campaigns. Your character, depending on the class, needs to only be at least Level 3 to cast it — which should be easy enough to achieve in longer campaigns.

Spiritual Weapon 5e Combat

Spiritual Weapon in D&D 5e vs. Eternity TTRPG

Though Spiritual Weapon is a distinctly D&D 5e spell, the Eternity TTRPG Game System offers many spell and ability effects that closely resemble Spiritual Weapon 5e.


In D&D 5e, Spiritual Weapon creates a magical weapon that floats around according to the caster’s will, and strikes at enemies every round when a Bonus Action is expended. Similarly, in the Eternity TTRPG Game System, numerous spells and abilities may be “maintained,” which allow for extra attacks or damage each round of combat.


What Classes in Eternity TTRPG Use Spiritual Weapon?

There are many core classes and expansion classes that can use spiritual weapon-like effects, and many more classes that also gain similar effects through their spell and ability critical options.


Though most of these spell and ability effects are not the exact same as spiritual weapon, you’ll notice how similarly they act, as far as mechanics go – creating a mobile attacking unit, effectively.


Dragon Knight – Core Class Ability

Dragon Heart: you forever soul-bind with a dragon, becoming its lifelong companion.

The “Dragon” and dragon knight share

HP and Wisdom, and the “Dragon” has stats otherwise the same as the dragon

knight. However, due to the immense effort it requires to maintain mental connection with the “Dragon,” you permanently have -10Initiative.

On the “Dragon’s” turn, it may use any

Action, spell, or ability, available to the dragon knight. The “Dragon” acts on the

same turn as the dragon knight. 

The “Dragon” always has the same stats

as the dragon knight, whether from level increases, buffs, or debuffs. If the “Dragon” or dragon knight receives a buff or debuff, it also affects the other. “Dragon” does not count as a summoned unit. Once this ability is chosen it becomes a passive effect, always active, and cannot be dispelled.

  • (Winged Death) You instead have only -9Initiative. You can choose to maintain this critical for 2Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Knight of the Blood Oath) You also gain +3Resilience, +3Dodge, and +3Will. You can instead choose to maintain this critical for 3Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Memories of Tarscisia) If either the dragon knight or “Dragon” is Dazed, Afraid, or Taunted, the other is not affected. You can instead choose to maintain this critical for 3Inspiration (and 0Wisdom). 
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Druid – Core Class Ability

Spirit Animal: you summon an animal companion with 1HP and Stats otherwise the same as the druid’s, except with -5Resilience, -5Dodge, and -5Will. On “Spirit Animal’s” turn, choose an enemy in 1Range, and roll d20. If you roll 18-20, “Spirit Animal” attacks, automatically dealing 1damage. “Spirit Animal” may also use “Charge” (see Chapter 14, “Additional Actions” - you may use Faith vs. Resilience to do so, if you so choose), but doing so reduces the druid’s Wisdom. “Spirit Animal” acts on the same turn as the druid.

“Spirit Animal” always has the same

Stats as the druid, whether from level increases, buffs, or debuffs. If the druid

receives a debuff, it also affects the “Spirit Animal.” However, “Spirit Animal” is immune to both Wisdom damage and debuffs that cause recurring damage.

It takes 15minutes to summon/ tame a

“Spirit Animal,” so a new “Spirit Animal” cannot be created during Combat. You

can only have one “Spirit Animal” active at a time. You continually maintain “Spirit Animal” for 3Inspiration.

(Dazed): while you are Dazed, “Spirit

Animal” is also Dazed.

  • (Nature’s Wrath) You instead have two (2) “Spirit Animals” active at a time, and they each only have -1Reslience, -1Dodge, and -1Will. You continually maintain this Critical for 5Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Nature’s Healing) Your “Spirit Animal” instead has 2HP. The next time you or an ally take damage while adjacent to your “Spirit Animal,” roll d20. If you roll 6-20, your “Spirit Animal” instead takes that damage.
  • (Primal) Your “Spirit Animal” instead has 2HP, and has +4Strike Bonus when using “Charge.” You continually maintain this Critical for 5Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).

 

Nether Knight – Core Class Spell

Phantom Image (Magic): 1Range, creates a “Phantom Image” of yourself. Allies and enemies are able to tell which is you and which is your “Phantom Image.”

If a “Phantom Image” is attacked, it is

automatically dispelled. “Phantom Images” have the same Speed as the nether knight. In order for a “Phantom Image” to attack, it must be within a number of spaces of the nether knight equal to the nether knight’s Speed value. If that condition is met, on “Phantom Image’s” turn, choose an enemy in 1Range, and roll d20. If you roll 18-20, “Phantom Image” attacks, automatically dealing 1damage. “Phantom Images” act on the same turn as the nether knight.

If the nether knight receives a debuff, it

also affects “Phantom Images.” However, “Phantom Images” are immune to both

Wisdom damage and debuffs that cause recurring damage.

You can create and control an

unlimited number of “Phantom Images.”

(Dazed): while you are Dazed,

“Phantom Images” are also Dazed.

  • (Fallen Star) Creates two (2) “Phantom Images.”
  • (Phantom Soul) Move up to your Speed value before or after casting this spell. You can also move up to 4Speed before or after casting this spell, for Battle Duration.
  • (Elemental Chaos) Also, any time any of your “Phantom Images” is attacked, roll d20. If you roll 16-20, they are not dispelled. This critical effect stacks with the effect from “Phantom Mists.” 


Summoner – Core Class Spell

Summon (Magic): you create a wondrous beast of your choice with 1HP and Stats otherwise the same as the summoner’s, except with -5Resilience, -5Dodge, and -5Will. On the “Summon’s” turn, choose an enemy in 1Range, and roll d20. If you roll 18-20, the “Summon” attacks, automatically dealing 1damage. “Summon” may also use “Charge” (see Chapter 14, “Additional Actions” - you may use Faith vs. Resilience to do so, if you so choose), but doing so reduces the summoner’s Wisdom. “Summon” acts on the same turn as the summoner.

“Summon” always has the same Stats

as the summoner, whether from level increases, buffs, or debuffs. If the summoner

receives a debuff, it also affects the “Summon.” However, “Summon” is immune to both Wisdom damage and debuffs that cause recurring damage.

“Summon” uses at least 3Intelligence to

maintain. For every additional 3Intelligence used to individually maintain a

“Summon,” the “Summon” roll 3 numbers lower to deal damage, and gains +1HP.

It takes 15minutes to create a new

“Summon,” so a new “Summon” cannot be created during Combat. You can only have one “Summon” active at a time, until you reach 21+ Intelligence used.

(Dazed): while you are Dazed, your

“Summon” is also Dazed.

  • (Summoning) All “Summons” also have 2Range with their attacks. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 1Inspiration (plus the base Intelligence used per “Summon,” and 0Wisdom).
  • (Mystic Infusion) Every turn, one of your “Summons,” at your choice, rolls a d20. If you roll 18-20, they either heal you (at any distance), themself or one ally in 4Range +1HP, at your choice. This Critical allows affected targets to heal 1HP above their normal max HP. Healing from this effect also Fatigues the target, giving -1Resilience, -1Dodge, and -1Will for 1Day Duration (can stack without limit). You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 2Inspiration (plus the base Intelligence used per “Summon,” and 0Wisdom).
  • (Enhanced Gateways) This Critical can only be used if one of your “Summons” drops to 0HP or is dispelled. Instant Action. Create another “Summon” within 12Range of you that has 1HP left. This effect still applies if you intentionally dispel your “Summon.” 1Day Recharge.
Spiritual Light

Strategies for using Spiritual Weapon-Like Effects

In D&D, Spiritual Weapon 5e is technically not a “summoned unit,” like its likeness is in the Eternity TTRPG Game System. With the Eternity TTRPG equivalents being summons, however, they come with a host of beneficial options, when it comes to combat (and more).


Cause Additional Damage

The most obvious way to utilize summons is to position them near enemies so that they can attack them with you every round. It Eternity TTRPG, summons also deal “pierce damage,” meaning that targets of their attacks do not get to make a defensive roll to dodge the attack.


Summons are also therefore especially wonderful choices for healers or support characters in a team, as their summons can move around and deal damage in a fight, without the need for any attack-based stats on the summoner.


Daze Enemies with a Charge

One of the absolute best parts of summons is their ability to “Charge” enemies. On a successful Charge, the summoned unit not only moves adjacent to the enemy they’re attacking, but they also “Daze” them for 2turns.


While Dazed, character’s effects are generally interrupted, and they aren’t generally able to move, attack, or cast spells, but only defend (or in some cases, use items).


If you can have your summon successfully Charge an enemy for you, then you can meanwhile spend your turn dealing damage to that enemy, or using other vital spells or abilities that benefit your group.


Soak Up Damage for the Group

One of the other big benefits of using summons is that you can position them in the way of enemies. Rather than yourself or an ally taking damage in an important fight, why not have your summon soak up some damage instead?


Utilize Summons for Scouting

Finally, any sentient being can provide scouting, especially if they are “expendable” summons. Though this point wouldn’t be applicable in D&D 5e, as Spiritual Weapon isn’t itself a conscious being, summons in Eternity TTRPG may run recon for the adventuring group, or even sacrifice themselves down a hallway of traps.

 

Interested in the Eternity TTRPG Game System?

If you’ve been playing D&D for years, and have been thinking about checking out a new tabletop RPG system, take a look at Eternity TTRPG.


The Eternity TTRPG Game System probably falls somewhere between D&D 5e and D&D 4e, in terms of game mechanics and how it’s played. The game features highly tactical combat encounters, and allows groups the options (rules included) for multiple DMs.


Eternity TTRPG is also currently getting an upgrade to the core rulebook’s graphic design and artwork. If you purchase today, we’ll be sure to send you the latest version as soon as it’s ready (should be around Christmas time this year). Happy gaming!

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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.


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Harvestborn — Scarecrow Souls of The Crooked Moon

By Jacob Tegtman • November 25, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgWieYGo8k8 Transcription In Druskenvald, the fields whisper. When the harvest is ready, something else rises too — figures of burlap and bone, lit from within by ancient green magic. Welcome to Druskenvald, under the eerie light of the Crooked Moon, where the Harvestborn stand as living scarecrows bound to the land, the harvest … life and death. Crooked Moon has become one of my favorite adventure supplements of all time, and you can get a copy from D&D Beyond. Today on Eternity TTRPG , we’re diving deep into one of the most unique ancestries in the Crooked Moon setting: the Harvestborn . Whether you’re a player looking to build an unforgettable character, you’re a DM planning your next atmospheric campaign, or just someone who loves rich D&D lore, this video is for you. We’re breaking down who the Harvestborn are, where they come from, what makes them so magically eerie, and how their mechanics and lore work together to create incredible storytelling opportunities. Think of this as your complete guide to understanding — and playing — these scarecrow-souled guardians of Enoch.” The Harvestborn are somewhat like other mechanical races in D&D — but their spooky scarecrow model just makes for great stories, worth telling. In The Crooked Moon / Druskenvald setting, each ancestry (or “species”) does have a sort of “home province,” but that doesn’t necessarily mean they only exist there. Harvestborn are a constructed species native to the province of Enoch in Druskenvald. According to lore, they are crafted with great care by the lord of Enoch, Methuselah. These constructs are infused with a vibrant, green magic — the same life-essence that flows through the fertile fields of their homeland. Methuselah is the patient, almost paternal figure who oversees the province of Enoch . He is deeply attuned to the green magic of his land — not merely as a ruler, but as a guardian of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth: under his watch, Harvestborn are created, nurtured, and eventually laid to rest so they may be reborn. Though he is a lord, Methuselah is less interested in dominion through fear, and more through stewardship: his role is tied to growth and harvest, not conquest. This makes him a figure of both authority and nurture — one who shapes his people not just from straw and wood, but with intention and magic. In a province-overview document for Enoch, Methuselah is described as: “a black-furred cat-man with eyes as gold as the province’s grain fields …” For role-playing, you could lean into the mystery of who this creator of Harvestborn is, and how his Character affects the Harvestborn: Where did this mysterious, and obviously powerful figure come from? What is his magical or ancestral origin? Does he share any soul-link with his Harvestborn creations? Back to the Harvestborn, they resemble scarecrows — bodies of wood, straw, metal, and other implements. Their heads glow, sometimes made from pumpkins, turnips, or even burlap sacks. But though they look like eerie husks, they are deeply tied to life … and to death. In their society, they live in harmony, focusing on community, fellowship, and the cycles of growth. Food is their harvest; death is their rebirth. Mechanically, Harvestborn are constructs — not quite living, but driven by magic. They are Medium size, approximately 4 to 7 feet tall, and in-game move at 30 feet per round. One of their defining traits is called Culling : when a Harvestborn damages a creature that is already wounded, they can deal an extra 1d12 necrotic damage . That’s powerful — especially when you’re finishing off a foe.” But like their creator, they’re not just about dealing death. Harvestborn also have Gift of the Green . As a bonus action, you can touch the ground and grant healing: a friendly creature within 30 feet can roll a Hit Die, and they heal the amount rolled plus your proficiency bonus. Then there’s Jack-O-Lantern : you know the Dancing Lights cantrip, and you choose whether your spellcasting ability is Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. Being constructs, you don’t need to breathe, eat, or drink. That’s the Scarecrow Nature trait. And for rest, you can actually skip sleep entirely: instead, you can take a Watchful Rest — staying motionless and conscious for 4 hours, but still count it as a long rest. The Harvestborn are deeply thematic. Their existence is a living tension between life and death — they harvest crops, but they also harvest life’s vital essence. Their cycle of rebirth is intrinsic: they often live around 100 years , and then ‘accept death’ … only to be reborn again. As a player, this opens up incredible role-playing opportunities. Do Harvestborn remember their past incarnations? Do they cherish each lifetime, or dread what comes next? Are they fully aware of their created nature … or do they feel things in a way similar to how a living soul does? From a thematic standpoint, Harvestborn embody folk horror beautifully: agricultural rituals, seasonal death and rebirth, quiet sacrifices in the fields. Their identity is bound to community — they grow and heal their people, they protect the land … but they are also constructs, perhaps seen as eerie or uncanny by outsiders. On a personal level: what memories do Harvestborn carry between lifetimes? Do they still form strong bonds with people of other ancestries, knowing they might reincarnate only to find their friend permanently dead? And then, perhaps, do they fear what it means to be reborn? “So — why pick a Harvestborn for your Crooked Moon game? First, for the unique flavor: you’re not a typical D&D race. You’re a magical construct with deep roots in folk horror. Your mechanics reflect a duality: offensive power (Culling) and support (Gift of the Green), with cycles of death and rebirth.” “Second, the role-playing potential is huge. Harvestborn come built in with internal conflict, an apparently never-ending cycle of life and death, the mystery of reincarnation — that’s rich ground for character development. And third, they fit the Fall/ Harvest time aesthetic: moody fields, harvest rituals, green magic shimmering in twilight — Harvestborn are made for a Harvest/ Halloween setting.” At the end of the day, Harvestborn are more than just scarecrows — they are echoes of the land itself, vessels of green magic, and agents of an eternal cycle. In the folk-horror world of The Crooked Moon, they also bring a unique combination of power, mystery, and heart.” But now, it’s your turn. If you were to play a Harvestborn in your next game, how do you think you’d face your life, knowing that even after death – you’d simply be reborn? Would you welcome rebirth — or resist it, knowing that you’d never be able to outrun yourself, even at the end of your life? And if you could carry something forward into your next life – experiences you’ve had, love you’ve shared, desires you’ve felt, what would that be?” “Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear your cool Harvestborn roleplay ideas. And if you enjoyed this deep dive into one of Crooked Moon’s coolest ancestries, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell. Next time, we’ll explore another one of Crooked Moon’s lineages. Until then, may your roots stay deep, your light burn bright, and may every ending lead you toward your next beginning.
Critical Role episode 3 summary graphic. Four fantasy characters stand before a golden logo.

Critical Role Season 4 - Episode 3 Recap - The Snipping of Shears

By Jacob Tegtman • November 22, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRQRNqRGVMs Transcription Hey everyone, welcome back to Eternity TTRPG.  With the last recap of Critical Role’s fourth campaign, in episode 2, the Falconer’s Rebellion echoed through Dol-Makjar, and an angel’s bloodline rewrote what faith looks like in the series. This third episode — The Snipping of Shears — pulls those threads tight: divine secrets, infernal bargains, and a murder that changes everything. As a quick note before jumping in, if you haven’t seen my prior recaps of this Critical Role campaign, you should know that A LOT happens in these 4.5hr-ish episodes. Cutting all of that down to about 10minutes means that there will be a lot of summarization. If there’s anything you don’t quite follow, check out my previous recaps for more context. This episode opens with Teor Pridesire, the soldier trying to live quietly under the banner of the Candescent Creed. Sir Filoneus Halovar hires him as Wick Halovar’s new bodyguard and sends him to the Mercanaud Couturier — a tailor’s shop with more whispers than fabric. In the bustling Ogrimok Market, where magic is forbidden, Teor runs into Sir Julien Davinos, who’s searching for Occtis Tachonis. Julien recognizes the Couturier’s name — they make problems disappear for the Halovars. Teor, unaware, walks straight toward them. Back in Villa Aurora, Wick faces a truth that upends everything he believes. Photarch Yanessa Halovar reveals that the chained celestial beneath their temple — Aetheon — is his grandfather. After the gods fell, she took Aetheon’s blood and wished for a child touched by the sun. That child became Godard, Wick’s father — and the foundation of the Candescent Creed. The Halovars turned divine theft into religion. Yanessa built her empire of light to survive a world without gods — and tells Wick the rules of faith are for others. His duty is legacy: marry well, expand Filament, and remember that true power runs in the family’s blood. For Wick, his prior belief has just curdled into this sickening feeling of betrayal. Reeling from the truth, Wick turns to the only person who’s ever been somewhat(?) fully honest with him — his demon companion, Tyranny. She was crafted by the Prince of Demonkind, to serve the Creed’s image, and bargain for souls. But Tyranny hates her purpose. She’s bound to Wick alone, and begs him not to send her back to the Pit. They realize they’re both trapped by family expectations — a believer and a demon chained by faith and fear. Wick promises she’ll stay free, and together they plan to rescue Teor before the Halovars decide that he’s expendable. In another corner of Dol-Makjar, the hunt for Occtis grows dangerous. At the Penteveral, Murray Mag’nesson stands up to Primus Tachonis himself — and is promptly cursed for it. Meanwhile, Occtis, Thimble, and Kattigan are ambushed by the Crow Keepers in the Guard Tower. Vaelus bursts in mid-fight, saving Thimble from a grisly end. The gang learns that Casimir — Thimble’s former ally — had been stealing from the Crow Keepers, paid his debt in blood, and left behind a deed to a fortress, now stolen by Cyd. It’s one more piece in a spreading puzzle of betrayal. While others fight and scheme, Thaisha and Hal Fang build something new — the Hallowed Round, a theatre rising from Dol-Makjar’s old scars. Once a temple of oppression, it’s now reclaimed for art and community. An orc musician reminds Thaisha that rebellion isn’t just war — it’s creation. At the Couturier, Teor meets the Mercanaud brothers — charming, unsettling, and reeking of infernal power. Before he can act, he’s trapped in a circle carved into the floor — a nine-pointed star that reeks of sulfur. Calastro Mercanaud begins cutting Teor’s shadow apart, piece by piece, with silver shears. Then, salvation: Wick and Tyranny arrive under false orders, bluff their way in, and free Teor. The three escape, but Tyranny’s terror says everything — they’ve just angered something far darker than House Halovar. At Hal’s home, the pieces finally align. Hal attunes to Thjazi’s sword — the Liar’s Blade — and sends Thimble north to avenge their brother. Wick, Tyranny, Teor, Thimble, and Kattigan form a small band: the Soldier’s Table. Azune watches them ride out, whispering the names of the fallen. It feels like history beginning again. At the Palazzo Davinos, the story turns from politics to nightmare. Julien watches in frozen horror as an invisible assassin reaches into his father’s skull and pulls it free. Upstairs, Occtis and Aranessa are trapped by silence as his brother Ethrand arrives — holding the Stone of Nightsong. He orders the ghouls to open Occtis’s chest and put the stone ‘where it belongs.’ And then? Fade to black. Alright — here’s why The Snipping of Shears hits so hard, and what you can learn from it for your own table.” 1. Secrets mean more when they’re personal. When Wick learns that his faith is built on a lie — that his family’s light was stolen from a fallen celestial — it’s devastating not just because it’s awesome lore, but because it’s his grandmother telling him the truth. That’s the lesson: don’t dump exposition from an old scroll. Deliver it through someone the character trusts. When revelations come from family, mentors, or companions, the heartbreak feels real, and the fallout drives roleplay for sessions to come. 2. Make corruption generational. The Halovars inherited sin. Yanessa’s wish twisted faith into an empire, Godard’s blood carries celestial power as a burden, and Wick now bears that legacy whether he wants it – or in this case, definitely not. And that’s the power of it. Tyranny’s existence also mirrors that cycle — a demon born into a contract she never chose. If you want emotional weight, make power in your world come with ancestry, or family, attached. Maybe a magic sword remembers every life it’s taken, or a player’s bloodline is blessed by something they don’t believe in. Legacy as corruption creates tension between destiny and free will — one of the best engines for storytelling in D&D. 3. Mix horror with heart. The Couturier scene in this episode works because of what’s being taken. Teor’s shadow — his literal sense of self — is being cut apart. It’s a nightmare. And it is the kind of horror that lingers. When using horror at your table, think beyond monsters. Ask, ‘What does this threaten about who the character is, at their core?’ A curse that erases memories, a haunting that whispers a player’s thoughts back to them — those are the scares that deepen character growth. And that’s it for Episode 3. Celestial secrets, infernal contracts, and one unforgettable assassination. What do you think — is Wick destined for redemption or ruin? Drop your theories below, and join me next time as we follow the Soldier’s Table north. Until then — let your dice fly, and may your stories be legendary.
Table display of D&D gifts and game inspiration; dice holders, artwork, and character cards.

2025 D&D Gifts and Game Inspiration for the Holidays

By Jacob Tegtman • November 22, 2025
Know someone who’s a D&D fan? Not sure what to get them for Christmas? Or are you a D&D player and want to treat yourself?
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