A Guide to Raulothim’s Psychic Lance in D&D 5e

Do you enjoy spells that make monsters confused and unable to fight back? If you do, Raulothim’s Psychic Lance is probably a spell you’ll want to use often.

It’s easy to understand but still powerful, so it’s good for anyone who casts spells, whether you’re just starting or you’ve been doing it for a long time.

This spell doesn’t just damage your enemies, it messes with their minds, stopping them from doing anything and giving you the upper hand in a battle. It’s a really strong spell that can completely turn a fight around.

You know, when we talk about Raulothim’s Psychic Lance, it’s really about understanding its ins and outs. I’m going to walk you through exactly what it does, the best times to use it, and some of my pointers for making it super effective.

When you get this right, your opponents won’t know what hit them, and your whole team will be buzzing!

TL;DR Cheat Sheet

Top 5 Takeaways:

• Targets by name—no line of sight needed.
• Int save—a weak spot for many creatures.
• 7d6 psychic damage and incapacitation on fail.
• Works on hidden or invisible enemies.
• Scales with higher-level slots (add 1d6 per level).

What Is Raulothim’s Psychic Lance?

I’ve been there, enemy roaring in your face, half the party scrambling for cover, and the rogue yelling “DO SOMETHING!”

That’s when this spell shines. Raulothim’s Psychic Lance doesn’t need setup. Just name your target and fry their brain. No save if you catch ’em off guard. It’s like a magical panic button.

Have you ever had a boss fight where the bad guy needs to shut up for a second? This spell is perfect for that. You don’t even have to see them if someone says, “That’s Lord Varrix in the throne room,” that’s enough.

Psychic Lance locks onto them by name, hits their brain like a lightning bolt of anxiety, and if they fail their save? They’re stunned. No turn, no reactions, nothing. And the psychic damage is nothing to sneeze at either. This thing wins initiative rounds, flat out.

If I’m honest, Psychic Lance is one of those spells that makes me double-check my villain’s stat block. Players love it because it feels like cheating—you don’t need eyes on the target, just a name.

But that’s the point. It’s a tactical spell with teeth. I’ve seen it used to stall bosses, break concentration, or interrupt something nasty mid-cast. It doesn’t always land, sure, but when it does? It changes the flow of the whole fight.

Why It’s a Total Game-Changer

Okay, here’s the succulent part. You can aim this bad boy at any creature within 120 feet that you can see. Got sharp eyes? Great. Don’t feel like bothering with a visual?

No problem. You can just shout the target’s name like you’re starring in a dramatic fantasy soap opera. If the name-calling reaches them and they’re within range, BAM, they’re hit, no matter how sneaky or elusive they might be.

This isn’t some polite poke; this spell goes hard. When you hit someone with it, they’ve got to make an Intelligence save, and let’s be real, most monsters? They’re not known for their brainpower. If they mess it up (and they probably will), they’re eating 7d6 psychic damage. That’s a rough day even for something with three heads and immunity to fear. You just gave their mind a full-on boot to the face.

But that’s not all. On top of the damage, they’re incapacitated until your next turn. What does that mean for you? No more biting, clawing, hissing, or tossing fireballs your way. They’re essentially left standing there like they just forgot how to function.

So, in D&D, even when someone passes their save against your spell, they don’t get off scot-free; they still take half the damage. Which, depending on the spell, can still be a lot. It’s kinda like dodging a punch but still catching the edge of it. It stings. Bad

When You Power It Up, Things Get Even Better

Let’s say you’re prepping a big spell and thinking, “I could use a little extra firepower here.” If you’ve got a 5th-level or higher spell slot available, you can burn it to up the damage. For every level above 4th that you cast the spell at, you roll an extra d6.

So if you throw it out at 7th level, that’s 3 levels higher, boom, 3d6 more damage. It stacks up fast when you’re aiming to end a fight before dessert.

That’s a lot of dice rolling, and trust me, the thrill of watching all those numbers stack up is unmatched. When the final total hits the table, you’ll feel like a spell-slinging rockstar, wielding raw power and commanding the battlefield like a pro.

Who Can Use Raulothim’s Psychic Lance?

This spell isn’t for just anyone, it’s locked to classes like bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards. So if your character’s idea of solving a problem involves ink, incantations, and improvisation instead of axes and armor, this is one to look at.

It’s perfect for players who love twisting magic to their ends and thinking two steps ahead in combat.

Okay, so Raulothim’s Psychic Lance might sound like something only a wizard would sling around, but it’s not locked behind a pointy hat and a tower. Bards get it too, and when they use it, it’s like their charm turns into a precision-guided missile.

It’s not just a utility spell; it hits hard and messes with enemy brains in a way that feels like you’re running both offence and crowd control in one action.

Sorcerers will love its raw, overwhelming power, while warlocks can add a dramatic edge to their arsenal of eldritch abilities. Wizards, of course, will appreciate its strategic value in a variety of encounters.

You know that moment when someone says, “I cast Psychic Lance,” and everyone at the table kind of leans in? That’s because it works. Whether you’re a Bard dropping it mid-monologue or a Wizard sniping the BBEG’s lieutenant through a wall, it feels good.

It’s one of those spells that makes you look clever and dangerous at the same time.

Why Intelligence Saves Are Your New Best Friend

One of the best things about this spell is that it targets Intelligence, something most monsters are terrible at.

Who knew psychic power could outwit more creatures than not? Dragons, ogres, skeletons, and lots of others will struggle to save against it. That translates to you as an easier guarantee of success.

And really, who doesn’t love watching a big, scary monster get frozen in its tracks because it couldn’t outsmart your spell?

How to Use It Like a Pro

Here are a few tips to get the most out of Raulothim’s Psychic Lance:

1. Save It for the Tricky Foes – This spell works wonders against tougher enemies who might otherwise overwhelm your party. The incapacitation effect can completely change the course of battle, buying you and your team precious time to regroup, heal, or launch a coordinated attack. It’s especially useful when facing a foe with devastating abilities that you need to disable quickly.
2. Call Out Hidden Targets – One of the most powerful aspects of this spell is its ability to hit opponents who are hiding, invisible, or even behind cover. As long as you know their exact name (and they’re within range), you can launch an attack that bypasses normal line-of-sight requirements. This makes it an excellent tool for dealing with sneaky enemies or ambush scenarios. It can feel like having a secret weapon that no one expects!
3. Don’t Waste It on Brains – While most enemies are no match for the devastating power of this spell, beware of using it on highly intelligent foes. Creatures like archmages, liches, or other cerebral enemies may have a higher chance of resisting its effects due to their advanced mental fortitude. Consider using it on less intelligent but still dangerous opponents to maximise its impact.
4. Pair It with Team Combos – This spell shines even brighter when used as part of a team strategy. While the enemy is incapacitated, your allies can pile on attacks without fear of retaliation, creating opportunities for massive damage. Communicate with your team to line up powerful combos, think sneak attacks, spellcasting barrages, or overwhelming melee strikes. Smart coordination can turn this spell into a true game-changer in combat.

With these tips, Raulothim’s Psychic Lance can become one of the most versatile and impactful spells in your arsenal! Use it wisely, and watch how it shifts the odds in your favour.

Why Everyone Loves This Spell

If you’re the kind of player who likes having options mid-combat, whether it’s locking someone down or messing with their head, this one’s for you. It fits neatly into nearly any situation and doesn’t bury you in edge-case rules like some of the other big-ticket spells do. Clean, clever, and mean.

And let’s be honest, casting a spell with a name as epic as Raulothim’s Psychic Lance is undeniably cool.

The Fun of Wielding That Psychic Power

Playing D&D is as much about creativity as it is about strategy. Raulothim’s Psychic Lance is the perfect combination of both.

You get the creative part of naming your enemy or imagining that glowing lance jetting out of your head, and the strategic part of dealing high damage and incapacitating opponents. It’s all the fun wrapped in one spell.

FAQs About Raulothim’s Psychic Lance

1. Can you use this spell to hit invisible creatures?

Yes! If you know their name and they’re within range, you can totally catch invisible targets off guard. Just imagine their surprise when a glowing mental spear finds them.

2. What’s the range of this spell again?

It’s 120 feet! That’s a lot of distance for you to sit back and deal damage without needing to get too close for comfort.

3. Is the spell overpowered?

Not really. Its effectiveness depends on your target’s Intelligence. Against folks like smarty-pants wizards or clever enemies, it might not hit as hard. But against a typical ogre or zombie? It’s incredibly useful.

4. Do I have to pick Intelligence over other attack rolls?

Yes, the spell specifically requires an Intelligence saving throw. This could make things tricky depending on your DM’s campaign, but for the most part, monsters are not winning this one.

5. How do I make my Psychic Lance damage higher?

Easy! Use higher-level spell slots. For every level above the 4th, add another d6 to your damage roll. It’s like upgrading to an even cooler version of your favourite spell.

Wrapping It All Up

Look, I’ve run this spell enough times to say this without blinking. Psychic Lance wrecks encounters. Not because it does crazy damage (though it can), but because of how it wrecks plans.

That smug boss you built up for three sessions? Stunned before they even get a turn. Suddenly, the party’s in control, and the villain’s just sitting there drooling for a round. That’s not just good tactics, it’s a spell that lets your players feel clever.

If your party’s trying to focus fire on a specific enemy, this works great. It forces an Intelligence save, which is a stat that most creatures tend to fail. That means it’s more likely to land and do what it’s supposed to.

Whether you’re saving it for an epic boss fight, using it to counter a tough enemy mid-encounter, or pulling it out of your arsenal in a tight spot, this spell is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Plus, it’s not just about the mechanics; it’s a spell that creates memorable moments in your campaign.

You know that moment after a game when everyone’s laughing and rehashing their favourite scenes? Imagine being the one who landed that final blow—not with a sword, not with fire, but with your mind.

A clean psychic strike that dropped the villain in one go. That’s the kind of story folks remember, and it’s just plain cool that the mechanics let you do that and feel like a total brain-powered badass.

Go on, give it a try, and see how it makes your campaigns even more unforgettable!