Mind Sliver 5e D&D Guide

Mind Sliver is a Cantrip attack-based utility spell. It belongs to the Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard spell lists.

Spellcasters looking for a utility spell cast offensively can easily pick up Mind Sliver. Since it’s a Cantrip spell, it can easily be understood, even by newer D&D players.

The Player’s Handbook Description states the following:

Mind Sliver 5e

Enchantment Cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Components: V

Duration: 1 round

You choose one target you can see within range and force a disorienting spike of psychic energy into their mind.

The target must now succeed on an Intelligence saving roll or take 1d6 psychic damage. Also, subtract 1d4 from the target’s next saving roll it makes before your next turn ends.

At Higher Levels: Mind Sliver’s damage increases by 1d6 when reaching certain levels – 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).

Classes That Can Pick Mind Sliver

Traditional classes like Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard have Mind Sliver as part of their spell list.

Subclasses like the Aberrant Mind (Sorcerer) can unlock and use Mind Sliver at level 1.

Is Mind Sliver Good in 5e?

Mind Sliver is a top-tier Cantrip. It has highly versatile utility and proves valuable when used creatively in combat.

Since it’s a Cantrip, players won’t use high spell slots, which keeps them open for future higher-level spells.

Advantages – Mind Sliver

Verbal Component

Having only a Verbal component means players need to be less weary of Conditions and spells limiting their voice’s reach.

It also saves the caster from performing Somatic actions or spending money (or having to find rare materials) to cast a low-level spell.

Long Range

Mind Sliver has quite a long range (60 feet) for a Cantrip spell.

Utility spells such as this benefit from having longer-ranged spells due to enemies being a greater threat the close they come to the spellcaster.

If it were to have a shorter range, enemies would easily be able to reach their location.

Since there are usually more enemies than allies, it becomes difficult for a frontline to handle all the attention one spellcaster may receive!

Damage Type

Psychic damage is undoubtedly at the top 5 best damage types in D&D. When looking at resistance and immunity rates.

Psychic damage has one of the lowest rates, surpassing Necrotic and Thunder damage.

The odds of facing such an enemy decrease drastically, especially in the early game, making it helpful to have a spell of this kind at your disposal.

Disadvantages – Mind Sliver

Terrible Scaling

Unfortunately, even though Mind Sliver has the potential to be upscaled, its results are rather lackluster.

Its damage only increases 3 times, capping it at 4d6 Psychic damage at level 17.

Even though this upscaling is done with levels instead of spell slots, by level 17, there are various other alternatives players will find more useful.

When Should I Use Mind Sliver?

There are many opportunities for players to cast a spell or initiate attacks in D&D.

The difference comes when they know precisely when their spell will be most helpful. Keep that in mind when using Mind Sliver!

Forcing a Saving Roll

Mind Sliver’s most attractive effect occurs after a creature fails its saving roll. Never mind the damage; forcing a creature to deduct 1d4 from its next saving roll is crazy!

Form Combo Attacks

You know Mind Sliver’s power, but are you using it correctly? You shouldn’t be using Mind Sliver if you know your team will be working independently; it’ll make the spell seem useless.

The most straightforward strategy would be to focus on the deduction.

All you must do is hit the enemy. After that, another spellcaster (preferably with a saving roll spell, like Poison Spray) should attack the enemy.

The saving roll deduction will kick in, almost guaranteeing a hit and creating a deadly repeatable combo!

Study Your Enemies

Since you will be performing combos against many different creatures, finding their resistances and immunities can help players pick the appropriate spells.

Luckily, Psychic damage isn’t resisted often, but spellcasters using spells with Fire, Poison, Cold, or Acid could run into problems.

Be sure to analyze your surroundings, and think comprehensively about the creatures that may appear there. It’ll give you a hint as to what they might be resistant too!

If You Have More Than One Spellcaster

Mind Sliver is at its best when other spellcasters can strengthen its effects or cast spells with similar effects. Two spells that come to mind straight away are Bane and Entangle.

Bane

Bane is very similar to Mind Sliver. Its only difference is that it is a level 1 spell that can target up to three creatures at a time.

Like Mind Sliver, it also deducts 1d4 from an enemy’s next saving roll, meaning players can stack the same effect. Even rolling a 20 doesn’t have a 100% certainty of success.

Entangle

Entangle is also a level 1 spell that forces a Strength saving roll.

Most melee enemies have high Strength, meaning players can use this ability with both Bane and Mind Sliver for an increased chance of success.

The frontline can easily clean up enemies trapped with vines, making quick work of an entire group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Mind Sliver and Bane Stack?

Luckily, players wishing to have enemies fail their saving rolls can have their effects stack. Affected enemies will now have to deduct 2d4 from their next saving roll.

Can You Twin Mind Sliver?

Mind Sliver has a range of 60 feet and only targets only creatures. Therefore, it qualifies for twinning. Rather than only affecting one creature, players can now affect the saving rolls of two creatures!

Does Mind Sliver Require Concentration?

Fortunately, Mind Sliver doesn’t require the caster to concentrate when casting it. Players are free to casting concentration spells without risking the cancelation of Mind Sliver.

Final Thoughts

Being able to completely render a group of enemies useless by spamming saving rolls seems cheesy, but it works.

Undoubtedly, incorporating Mind Sliver into a team focusing on making their opponents as useless as possible would always be a success.

Not only will your entire team come out unscathed, but it’ll feel as if you’re cheating!