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| Description |
You and up to five willing creatures within 5 feet of you instantly teleport to a previously designated sanctuary. You and any creatures that teleport with you appear in the nearest unoccupied space to the spot you designated when you prepared your sanctuary (see below). If you cast this spell without first preparing a sanctuary, the spell has no effect. You must designate a sanctuary by casting this spell within a location, such as a temple, dedicated to or strongly linked to your deity. If you attempt to cast the spell in this manner in an area that isn’t dedicated to your deity, the spell has no effect. |
|---|---|
| Source | Player’s Handbook 🛒 |
| Level | 6 |
| School | Conjuration |
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Range | 5 feet |
| Components | V |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| Concentration | No |
| Ritual | No |
| Classes | Cleric |
| Full rules | open5e.com ↗ |
Word of Recall is one of the most fascinating and powerful teleportation spells available to a cleric. As a 6th-level spell from the conjuration school, it offers a unique blend of strategic retreat and divine connection to sacred sites.
The Power of Divine Teleportation
What makes Word of Recall special is its connection to the cleric’s deity. Unlike secular teleportation spells, this one requires prior preparation at a sacred place – a temple or other site consecrated to one’s deity. This preparation makes the spell more than just a means of transportation; it becomes a spiritual bond between the cleric and their divine power.
The spell can transport up to six people (the caster plus five others) simultaneously, making it an excellent group teleport. However, all participants must be willing and within 5 feet of the cleric.
Strategic Applications
As an experienced cleric, you shouldn’t view Word of Recall merely as an emergency exit. The spell is excellent for:
- Group Evacuation: When the adventure becomes too dangerous, you bring the entire party to safety
- Strategic Retreat: Perfect for reorganizing and replanning
- Surprise Attacks: After a short rest at the sanctuary, you can return strengthened
- Rescue Missions: Extract allies from impossible situations
Planning is Everything
The spell’s greatest weakness lies in its preparation. You must have previously visited a sanctuary and cast the spell there in advance. This means that forward-thinking clerics should plan their travel routes accordingly. Visit important temples in the region and prepare multiple refuges before venturing into dangerous areas.
It becomes particularly interesting when you as a cleric get to know various sanctuaries of your deity. Each prepared site significantly expands your tactical options. In the Player’s Handbook 🛒, you can find more details about divine connections and sacred sites.
Tips for Dungeon Masters
As a Dungeon Master, you can use Word of Recall to create interesting twists. Perhaps the prepared sanctuary has been compromised, or the deity refuses transport due to the cleric’s moral transgressions. Such situations create dramatic moments and emphasize the spiritual component of the spell.
The spell works with just an action and without concentration, making it usable even in critical combat situations. This reliability makes it one of the most valuable spells in a high-level cleric’s arsenal.
This article was created using AI, based on data from the 5e-database project (D&D 5e System Reference Document, licensed under CC BY 4.0).
