Vicious Mockery

Cantrip Enchantment spell available to Bards. It deals 1d4 Psychic and, on a failed Wisdom save, hands the target Disadvantage on its next Attack Roll. Small damage, real control.

Spell description: Unleash a string of enchanted insults at a creature. It takes damage and receives Disadvantage on its next Attack Roll.

Spell properties

• Damage: 1d4 Psychic
• Damage type: Psychic
• Range: 18m (60ft)
• Duration: 1 turn
• Save: WIS save
• Condition: Disadvantage on its next Attack Roll
• Cost: Action
• Recharge: Per action

Spell upcasting

At character level 5, damage increases to 2d4 Psychic. At character level 10, damage increases to 3d4 Psychic.

How to obtain Vicious Mockery

• Bard at Class level 1
• Pact of the Tome (Warlock) at Class level 3
• Granted by features: Magic Initiate: Bard

When to cast Vicious Mockery

You do not cast this for the damage. You cast it to make the enemy’s next attack miss, which on the boss about to swing at your fragile ally is worth far more than the 1d4. It is ranged, it needs no attack roll, and Psychic is rarely resisted.

The Wisdom save means disciplined enemies shrug it off, but against the average brute it lands often. It is the Bard’s bread-and-butter cantrip: a little damage and a little defence, every single turn.