Five New Spells Drop On D&D Beyond (And You Can Get Them Free)

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Wizards of the Coast has officially rolled a new content program known as D&D Beyond Drops. Available at no cost to Hero and Master tier subscribers, these digital content packs will be released on a weekly and monthly basis and include materials such as maps, adventures, digital dice and new character options.

The official first drop (which was released on May 7th) also contains five new spells for D&D 5.5E, four of which are actually updates of classic spells from older D&D editions. Below, we conjure up all the details on these new additions to your digital spellbook.

What are the new spells in the first D&D Beyond Drop?

The five new spells (which you can access exclusively via D&D Drops) are as follows:

Astral Flood

Astral Flood is a 3rd-level Evocation spell for Bards, Clerics, Sorcerers and Wizards. You unleash a 30-foot cone of energy, forcing a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, targets take 4d10 Cold or Radiant damage. Cold damage also gives the target Disadvantage on its next D20 Test, while Radiant damage limits their vision to 15 feet (imposing the Blinded condition beyond that distance). A successful save, however, results in no damage. This is a completely new spell that has not appeared in D&D before.

Buzzing Bee

Buzzing Bee is a 1st-level Conjuration spell for Druids, Rangers, Sorcerers and Wizards. You summon a spectral bee to hover around a target within 120 feet. For the duration (up to 1 minute, Concentration), the target has Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks, Dexterity (Stealth) checks, and Constitution saving throws made to maintain Concentration. The target cannot benefit from the Invisible condition, and there is no saving throw to avoid the effect. Notably, this is an updated spell that first appeared as Mordenkainen’s Buzzing Bee in the 2003 Miniatures Handbook for D&D 3.5 and was later renamed to Buzzing Bee in the 2005 Spell Compendium.

Insidious Rhythm

Insidious Rhythm is a 1st-level Enchantment spell for Bards. You target one creature within 120 feet that must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be plagued by a repeating, catchy tune for up to 1 minute (Concentration). While affected, the target has Disadvantage on Intelligence checks and on Constitution saving throws made to maintain Concentration. The target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns. Using a higher-level spell slot allows you to target one additional creature for each level above 1st. Notably, this is an updated spell that first appeared in the 2001 D&D 3.5 supplement Song & Silence: A Complete Guide to Bards and Rogues, and later appeared in 2005 in both the Spell Compendium and Complete Adventurer supplements.

Leomund’s Lamentable Belaborment

Leomund’s Lamentable Belaborment is a 6th-level Enchantment spell for Bards, Sorcerers and Wizards. You proclaim an inflammatory statement, forcing creatures in a 10-foot-radius sphere to make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failure, they are Charmed for up to 1 minute (no Concentration required). While affected, a target has a Speed of 0 and is Blinded and Deafened to everyone except you and other affected targets, as they must spend their turns arguing about your statement. Notably, this is an updated spell, and while the character Leomund originated in the Greyhawk setting during 1st Edition (and is perhaps best known for the spell Leomund’s Tiny Hut), this particular spell actually first appeared in the 1989 AD&D 2nd Edition Player’s Handbook.

Sticks to Snakes

Sticks to Snakes is a 4th-level Transmutation spell for Clerics, Druids and Rangers. You target up to four nonmagical wooden objects (like sticks, torches or spears) within 90 feet to transform them into Venomous Snakes for up to 1 minute (Concentration). If a creature is holding the object, they must succeed on a Charisma saving throw to prevent the transformation. The snakes are friendly, act on your initiative and can be commanded with a Bonus Action. Higher-level slots allow for two additional objects per level. Notably, this is an updated spell that first appeared in the 1974 original D&D box set in the pages of the Volume 1: Men & Magic booklet. It later appeared in the 1989 AD&D 2nd Edition Player’s Handbook as well as again in 1999 for the Priest’s Spell Compendium: Vol. 3. Famously, it was also a key spell for the Cleric character in the 1996 arcade game D&D: Tower of Doom and it’s sequels.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see Wizards of the Coast releasing new spells, particularly ones that are available at no charge to existing paid subscribers. It’s also great to see them updating some classic spells to the new D&D 5.5E ruleset. Hopefully we’ll see more new and updated content like this in upcoming Drops.

You can download the five new spells and try them for yourself now via the May 7th Drop, which is available on D&D Beyond.

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