Arcane Weapon 5e is a 1st-level Transmutation spell available to Artificers in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. It was introduced in Unearthed Arcana: Artificer Revisited. This spell was removed in the official release of the Artificer and is intended for playtesting purposes.
Table of Contents
Arcane Weapon
School: Transmutation
Level: 1
Range: Self
Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 hour (Concentration)
Choose a weapon that you are holding and, as a bonus action, imbue it with arcane energy. Select a damage type: acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder, or poison. For the duration of this spell, all attacks made with this weapon deal an extra 1d6 damage of the selected type. On subsequent turns, you may use a bonus action to change the weapons damage type. If the weapon was not magical, it is considered to be magical for the duration of the spell.
Upcasting Arcane Weapon
When casting this spell at level 3 or higher, you can maintain your concentration for up to 8 hours.
Available To: Artificer
Found In: Unearthed Arcana: Artificer Revisited, p. 10
How To Use Arcane Weapon in 5e
Arcane Weapon can be cast as a bonus action on any weapon that you are currently holding. When you cast it, select from one of several damage types outlined in the spell’s description. On every attack you make with this weapon you deal an extra 1d6 of the chosen damage type. Additionally, this weapon is now considered magical for the spell’s duration. On any following turn, you can use a bonus action to change the damage type.
Arcane Weapon is a concentration spell, which means that if you take damage, you must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or you will lose concentration. In this case, the spell ceases to function and must be recast. Further, you can only have one active concentration spell at a time.
Similar Spells
Since Arcane Weapon is not officially published anywhere, some DMs may not allow it. If you want to get similar results, there are a few other options available.
Arcane Weapon Vs Elemental Weapon 5e
Elemental Weapon was introduced in the Player’s Handbook and has been in D&D 5e since the very beginning. It shares a lot in common with Arcane Weapon, but with two important differences. Arcane Weapon gives no bonus to attack and an extra 1d6 damage die on each attack. Elemental Weapon gives a +1 to attack and an extra 1d4 damage. You’ll hit more often, but not as hard.
Also, Elemental Weapon is a 3rd-level spell, meaning it isn’t available until much later in the game. Additionally, Elemental Weapon requires a full action to cast and the damage type cannot be changed.
Arcane Weapon Vs Arcane Infusion
If you’re playing as an Artificer, you have the option at level 1 to create up to two Arcane Infusions at a time. If you choose to create an infused weapon, it receives +1 to Attack and Damage rolls, but no elemental bonus.
