½ Level Spells (5e Variant Rule)

A 0.5 ½-level spell is lesser than a 1st-level spell, but greater than a cantrip.

Traditional Spellcasting. When playing a typical class, whenever you would prepare or learn a 1st-level spell, you can instead learn or prepare a ½-level spell. When you cast a ½-level spell, you only use "half" of a 1st-level spell slot. The other half of the slot can only be used to cast another ½-level spell.

Spell Points. If using the Spell Points variant rule (DMG p288), one of these is simply called a "1-point spell" and casting it costs 1 spell point.

But Why? As spellcaster this is especially useful in the early game where all of your utility might be limited to a mere 2 or 3 daily spell slots, but drops off in usefulness as your number of spell slots and array of spells dramatically increases. A DM can have these spells available for "0th level" characters, be used by NPCs, or be found in early-game magic items, among other possibilities.

Official Spells. The following spells from official material could be ½-point spells due to their low perceived power level. Many are primarily cast as rituals.

Arms of Hadar

Ceremony

Detect Poison and Disease

Detect Magic

Earth Tremor

Floating Disk

Identify

Illusory Script

Jump

Purify Food and Drink

Silent Image

Unseen Servant

Witch Bolt

Homebrew Spells. The following spells were created for use with this variant rule.

Seafoam Spray	A cloud of sea foam gushes into a 10-foot cone originating from you to soak and slow nearby creatures.
Snowball Supply	Conjure a pile of up to 10 snowballs which can be used for far-reaching spell attacks by you or others.

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