Elemental Weapon

Level 3 Transmutation spell available to Paladins. Adds +1 to Attack Rolls and 1d4 of an element you choose to a weapon, and it lasts until Long Rest. It is a permanent weapon upgrade for one slot, and you pick the damage type to suit the day.

Spell description: Imbue a weapon with elemental power. It receives a +1 bonus to Attack Rolls and deals an additional 1d4 damage of your choice.

Spell properties

• Range: 18m (60ft)
• Duration: Until Long Rest
• Concentration spell
• Damage: +1d4 of the chosen type (Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder)
• Conditions applied: Elemental Weapon
• Cost: Action + Spell Slot
• Recharge: Per action

Spell upcasting

Casting with a Level 5 or 6 Spell Slot increases the Attack Roll bonus by 1 and adds an additional 1d4 damage of your choice.

How to obtain Elemental Weapon

• Paladin at Class level 9

Source items: Drakethroat Glaive, Flail of Ages

When to cast Elemental Weapon

The Drakethroat Glaive does this without a spell slot, and you can cast it on somebody else’s weapon. That is the actual headline here, and it is why this effect turns up in far more builds than the Paladin spell list would suggest.

Pick the element to match the fight. Cold on a Wet enemy, Fire on almost anything organic, Thunder where nothing resists it. A 1d4 you chose beats a 1d4 you were given.

Until Long Rest sounds permanent, and it nearly is, except that it is Concentration. One good hit on the caster and the buff evaporates for the whole day. That is a genuinely irritating design and worth knowing before you rely on it.

Upcast at Level 5 or 6 for +2 and 2d4, which on a Paladin who is swinging twice a turn is a real damage increase, though it is a lot of slot for a buff.