Upcasting

Many spells can be cast using a higher-level spell slot than their base level, gaining enhanced effects.

How it works: When a spell's description includes an "At Higher Levels" section, casting it with a higher-level slot improves its effects as described. You must use a slot of the higher level — there is no other way to upcast.

Common upcasting patterns:

Damage scaling:

• Burning hands (1st): +1d6 fire per slot level above 1st
• Fireball (3rd): +1d6 fire per slot level above 3rd
• Inflict wounds (1st): +1d10 necrotic per slot level above 1st

Healing scaling:

• Cure wounds (1st): +1d8 HP per slot level above 1st
• Healing word (1st): +1d4 HP per slot level above 1st
• Mass cure wounds (5th): +1d8 HP per slot level above 5th

Target scaling:

• Hold person (2nd): +1 additional target per slot level above 2nd
• Animate dead (3rd): +2 additional undead per slot level above 3rd
• Counterspell (3rd): auto-counters spells of the slot level used

Duration or area scaling:

• Aid (2nd): +5 HP per slot level above 2nd
• Dispel magic (3rd): auto-dispels effects of the slot level used

Spells without upcasting: Some spells gain no benefit from higher slots (e.g., shield, misty step, haste). Using a higher slot on these spells wastes the slot difference.

Warlock note: Warlocks always cast at their highest Pact Magic slot level, so they always upcast automatically. This makes spells with good upcasting especially valuable for Warlocks.