Upcasting

This is a list of all Spells that benefit from upcasting.

Overview

Upcasting is when a spellcaster chooses to use a higher level spell slot to cast a lower level spell. Many spells gain additional damage dice, a larger area of effect, allow for more targets or are otherwise improved when upcast, but some spells gain no additional benefit other than the fact they are treated as a higher level spell.

Because the Warlock's Pact Magic feature only grants spell slots of their highest known spell level, their lower level spells are always upcast to that level. (The only exception is if they use a lower-level spell slot gained from another source.)

Cantrips do not use spell slots, but damaging cantrips grow more powerful as a character gains levels. Upon reaching Character Levels 5 and 10, an additional damage die is automatically added (or, in the case of  Eldritch Blast, an additional beam is added). This is not optional; a spellcaster cannot choose to cast a cantrip as if they were of lower level. While this is not technically upcasting, it is a similar enough process to be included here.

List of spells that benefit from upcasting

Name	Level		Cast time	Duration	Range/Area	Attack/Save	Damage/Effect
Acid Splash	C			-	18m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	1d6Acid
Bone Chill	C			1 turn	18m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d8Necrotic
Booming Blade Booming Blade	C			1 turn	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	1d10Physical
Bursting Sinew Bursting Sinew	C			-	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d10Piercing
Dirty Trick: Vicious Mockery Dirty Trick: Vicious Mockery	C			1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	1d4Psychic
Eldritch Blast	C			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	1d10Force
Fire Bolt	C			-	18m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d10Fire
Poison Spray	C			-	3m / 10ft	CON save	1d12Poison
Produce Flame: Hurl	C			-	9m / 30ft	Attack roll	1d8Fire
Pulling Web	C			-	9m / 30ft	-	1d6Piercing
Ray of Frost	C			1 turn	18m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d8Cold
Sacred Flame	C			-	18m / 60ft	DEX save	1d8Radiant
Shocking Grasp	C			1 turn	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	1d8Lightning
Thorn Whip	C			-	9m / 30ft	Attack roll	1d6Piercing
Toll the Dead Toll the Dead	C			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll WIS save	1d12Necrotic
Vicious Mockery	C			1 turn	18m / 60ft	WIS save	1d4Psychic
Animal Friendship	1			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Armour of Agathys	1			Long Rest	Self	-	-
Arms of Hadar	1			1 turn	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	STR save	2d6Necrotic
Bane	1			10 turns	9m / 30ft	CHA save	-
Bless	1			10 turns	9m / 30ft	-	-
Burning Hands	1			-	Self  5m / 17ft (Cone)	DEX save	3d6Fire
Charm Person	1			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Chromatic Orb	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	-
Chromatic Orb: Acid	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Acid
Chromatic Orb: Cold	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Cold
Chromatic Orb: Fire	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Fire
Chromatic Orb: Lightning	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Lightning
Chromatic Orb: Poison	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Poison
Chromatic Orb: Thunder	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	3d8Thunder
Colour Spray	1			1 turn	Self  5m / 15ft (Cone)	-	-
Command	1			-	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Approach	1			1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Drop	1			1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Flee	1			1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Grovel	1			1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Halt	1			1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Create or Destroy Water	1			3 turns	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	-	-
Create Water	1			3 turns	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	-	-
Cure Wounds	1			-	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	1d8hit points
Destroy Water	1			-	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	-	-
Dissonant Whispers	1			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	3d6Psychic
Ensnaring Strike	1			10 turns	m / ft	Attack roll STR save	weaponWeapon
Ensnaring Strike (Melee)	1			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll STR save	weaponWeapon
Ensnaring Strike (Ranged)	1			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll STR save	weaponWeapon
False Life	1			Long Rest	Self	-	-
Fog Cloud	1			-	18m / 60ft  5m / 15ft (Radius)	-	-
Guiding Bolt	1			2 turns	18m / 60ft	Attack roll	4d6Radiant
Hail of Thorns	1			-	18 m / 60 ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	Attack roll DEX save	weaponWeapon 1d10Piercing
Healing Word	1			-	18m / 60ft	-	1d4hit points
Hellish Rebuke	1			-	m / ft	-	2d10Fire
Heroism	1			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Ice Knife	1			-	18m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	Attack roll DEX save	1d10Piercing 2d6Cold
Inflict Wounds	1			-	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	3d10Necrotic
Longstrider	1			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Luminous Arrow Luminous Arrow	1			-	18m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d8Radiant
Magic Missile	1			-	18m / 60ft	-	1d4 + 1Force
Ray of Sickness	1			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll CON save	2d8Poison
Searing Smite	1			10 turns	Weapon Range	Attack roll	weaponWeapon 1d6Fire
Sleep	1			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Thunderwave	1			-	1.5 m / 5 ft  5m / 17ft (Cube)	CON save	2d8Thunder
Witch Bolt	1			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	1d12Lightning
Aid	2			Long Rest	Self  9m / 30ft (Radius)	-	-
Bear's Endurance	2			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Blindness	2			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CON save	-
Branding Smite	2			10 turns	Weapon Range	Attack roll	weaponWeapon 2d6Radiant
Branding Smite (Melee)	2			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	weaponWeapon 2d6Radiant
Branding Smite (Ranged)	2			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	weaponWeapon 2d6Radiant
Bull's Strength	2			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Cat's Grace	2			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Cloud of Daggers	2			-	18 m / 60 ft	-	4d4Slashing
Eagle's Splendour	2			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Enhance Ability	2			-	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Flame Blade	2			-	Self	-	-
Flaming Sphere	2			-	18 m / 60 ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	2d6Fire
Fox's Cunning	2			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Heat Metal	2			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CON save	2d8Fire
Hold Person	2			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Invisibility	2			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Magic Weapon	2			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Melf's Acid Arrow	2			1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	4d4Acid
Moonbeam	2			-	18 m / 60 ft  1m / 3ft (Radius)	CON save	2d10Radiant
Move Moonbeam	2			-	18 m / 60 ft  1m / 3ft (Radius)	CON save	2d10Radiant
Murderous Cloud of Daggers	2			-	18 m / 60 ft	-	6d4Piercing
Owl's Wisdom	2			Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Prayer of Healing	2			-	Self  9m / 30ft (Radius)	-	2d8hit points
Reapply Heat Metal	2			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CON save	2d8Fire
Scorching Ray	2			-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d6Fire
Shadow Blade	2			-	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	2d8Psychic
Shatter	2			-	18 m / 60 ft  3m / 10ft (Radius)	CON save	3d8Thunder
Spiritual Weapon	2			-	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8+1Force
Spiritual Weapon: Greataxe	2			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1Force
Spiritual Weapon: Greatsword	2			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1Force
Spiritual Weapon: Halberd	2			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1Force
Spiritual Weapon: Maul	2			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1Force
Spiritual Weapon: Spear	2			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1Force
Spiritual Weapon: Trident	2			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1Force
Activate Call Lightning	3			-	18m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	3d10Lightning
Animate Dead	3			-	3m / 10ft	-	-
Bestow Curse	3			-	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Additional Damage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Attack Disadvantage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Charisma Disadvantage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Constitution Disadvantage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Dexterity Disadvantage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Dread	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Intelligence Disadvantage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Strength Disadvantage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Wisdom Disadvantage	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Call Lightning	3			10 turns	18m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	3d10Lightning
Call of the Crustacean	3			-	18m / 60ft	-	-
Counterspell	3			-	m / ft	-	-
Fireball	3			-	18m / 60ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	8d6Fire
Glyph of Warding	3			-	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	-
Glyph of Warding: Acid	3			-	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Acid
Glyph of Warding: Cold	3			-	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	CON save	5d8Cold
Glyph of Warding: Fire	3			-	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	CON save	5d8Fire
Glyph of Warding: Lightning	3			-	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Lightning
Glyph of Warding: Thunder	3			-	9m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Thunder
Grant Flight	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Lightning Arrow	3			-	18 m / 60 ft  3m / 10ft (Radius)	Attack roll	4d8Lightning 2d8Lightning
Lightning Bolt	3			-	Self  30m / 100ft	DEX save	8d6Lightning
Mass Healing Word	3			-	Self  18m / 60ft (Radius)	-	1d4hit points
Spirit Guardians	3			-	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	WIS save	-
Spirit Guardians: Necrotic	3			10 turns	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	WIS save	3d8Necrotic
Spirit Guardians: Radiant	3			10 turns	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	WIS save	3d8Radiant
Vampiric Touch	3			10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	3d6Necrotic
Banishment	4			2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CHA save	-
Blight	4			-	9m / 30ft	CON save	8d8Necrotic
Confusion	4			3 turns	18 m / 60 ft  6m / 20ft (Radius)	WIS save	-
Ice Storm	4			-	18m / 60ft  6m / 20ft (Radius)	DEX save	2d8Bludgeoning 4d6Cold
Phantasmal Killer	4			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	4d10Psychic
Wall of Fire	4			-	18m / 60ft	DEX save	5d8Fire
Cone of Cold	5			-	Self  9m / 30ft (Cone)	CON save	8d8Cold
Conjure Elemental	5			-	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Ethel's Insect Plague	5			-	18 m / 60 ft  6m / 20ft (Radius)	CON save	4d10Piercing
Flame Strike	5			-	18m / 60ft  3m / 10ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d6Fire 5d6Radiant
Hold Monster	5			10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Insect Plague	5			-	18 m / 60 ft  6m / 20ft (Radius)	CON save	4d10Piercing
Mass Cure Wounds	5			-	18 m / 60 ft	-	3d8hit points