Analysing all the spell options for the shadow-touched feat.
Shadow-touched is one of the better general feats available and also happens to be one of the most versatile. Pretty much any character can make good use of it, though it certainly is more optimal with certain builds.
The main question though, is what spells to take with the feat? Invisibility is chosen for you, but below, I’ve dissected the other options as well as some tactics you can use with this spellcasting feat.
How does shadow-touched work?
Here’s the full feat listed in the 2024 Player’s Handbook (it works exactly the same for the 2014 version):
“Your exposure to the Shadowfell’s magic grants you the following benefits.
Ability score increase. Increase your intelligence, wisdom or charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Fey magic. Choose one level 1 spell from the Illusion or Necromancy school of magic. You always have that spell and the invisibility spell prepared. You can cast each of these spells without expending a spell slot. Once you cast either spell in this way, you can’t cast that spell in this way again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these spells using spells slots you have of the appropriate level. The spells’ spellcasting ability is the ability increased by this feat.“
Player’s Handbook 2024 p207
Invisibility is a great option. You can use it for stealth as well as escapes from deadly encounters. You can even use it to get the jump on your enemies, though it will end once you make an attack or cast a spell.
However, the big question is what other spells you should be taking with the feat?
All spells you can take with shadow-touched
You can only take illusion and necromancy spells with this feat. And they must be level 1 spells. That feels a bit limiting, but fortunately, there are some good options available for you. There are 10 in total, 8 in the Player’s Handbooks and 2 from other sources books.
You can choose from the following spells:
- Cause fear (Xanathar’s Guide to Everything)
- Color spray
- Disguise self
- Distort value (Acquisitions Incorporated)
- False life
- Illusory script
- Inflict wounds
- Ray of sickness
- Silent image
- Wrathful smite
Which shadow-touched spells are best?
Choosing which spell is the definitive best isn’t really possible as much will depend on your build and what you want to accomplish. However, I can still share what I think are the better options and some great ways to use these spells:
- Color spray for temporary debuffs: There aren’t many ways to cause conditions on multiple enemies with a level 1 spell, but color spray is one of them. Blinded isn’t the most debilitating of conditions, but it’s enough of a debuff to give the party a decent edge (advantage on attack rolls and disadvantage on the enemy’s attack rolls). It only lasts for a turn, but that can be enough to do some damage.
- Disguise self for some subterfuge: Pretending to be someone else can be really useful. Disguise yourself as a guard and just walk around an enemy camp like you belong there. Of course, this won’t compensate for a lack of charisma or general intellect, so you’ll need a good plan and to think on your feet. Still a regularly nifty spell.
- Ray of sickness for damage and the poisoned condition: If you want to deal damage, you could take inflict wounds, but at just slightly less damage, ray of sickness will also afflict your target with the poisoned condition for a turn. Personally, I’d prefer this.
- Silent image for illusions: A clever player can do a lot with an illusion like this. Create a distraction, cover up a door or basically make the image of any other moderate sized object you need.
- Wrathful smite for extra attack damage and fear: There aren’t many ways to pick up smite spells without taking a level in paladin, but this is one of them. The damage isn’t huge, but frightened for potentially multiple turns is pretty good at level 1, especially with just the use of a bonus action. This is essentially superior to cause fear which does a similar thing without dealing damage, requiring an action and needing your concentration. Though you should note that if you’re playing the 2014 rules, wrathful smite does require concentration.
Who should take shadow-touched?
Shadow-touched can be useful for many classes, but some definitely stand to benefit more than others.
Spellcasters are your best option for the simple fact that they can repeat cast spells. They also have the strength in spell casting to make these spells truly effective.
Invisibility complements a rogue nicely allowing for some enhanced stealth. An arcane trickster will benefit even more with their inherent spellcasting ability. You’ll get some similar benefits from spells like silent image and disguise self too. Of course, the likes of bards and rangers can also make great stealth classes too, and both have spells available naturally too.
Wrathful smite works nicely on a martial-based spellcaster. Eldritch knights are a good option, as are rangers, especially as it can combine with hunter’s mark as it won’t conflict with your concentration.
Undoubtedly, shadow-touched is a top feat. Personally, I prefer the spell options found in fey-touched (which works in a very similar way). Still, if you’re after some illusion spells or necromancy, then shadow-touched is a great way to get them.
What do you think of shadow-touched and what spells do you plan on choosing for it? Let me know in the comments below.
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