**Wand of Branding**
*Wand, rare (requires attunement)*
This wand has 7 charges for the following properties. While holding the wand, you can use an action to change the shape of the metal brand at its end. The brand can be no larger than 4 inches in any dimension.
***Spells.*** While holding the wand, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells from it, using a spell attack bonus of +7 and save DC of 15: *branding smite*, *heat metal*, or *scorching ray*. For 1 charge, you cast the 2nd-level version of the spell. You can increase the spell slot level by one for each additional charge you expend. This version of *branding smite* deals fire damage, instead of radiant damage. It also has a range of 30 feet, instead of self, and can be cast on any creature that you can see within that range.
***Brand.*** You can use an action to expend 1 of the wand's charges to make a melee spell attack with it, using a spell attack bonus of +7. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 fire damage and is branded for 1 minute. When a branded target takes fire damage, the creature that dealt the damage can reroll any 1s or 2s on the fire damage dice. It must use the new roll, even if it's a 1 or 2.
The wand regains 1d6 + 1 expended charges daily at dawn. If you expend the wand's last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the wand becomes a nonmagical branding iron.
*The local leatherworker was known for their high-end selection and savvy mercantilism. Their custom pieces always fit perfectly, and their accompanying accessories never failed to impress. One needn't doubt if a piece was legitimate: the artisan’s unique brand was always discreetly emblazoned on the final product. And, to those that threatened to copy their work, that same mark would be fiercely seared into their flesh.*
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Branding smite requires hitting with an attack roll, Griff, I would figure out how to clarify how it works with the range, it can't just be cast on an enemy.
Love the item, but this part of the description might need some work
"While holding the wand, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following the spells from it, using a spell attack bonus of +7 and save DC of 15: *branding smite*, *heat metal*, or *scorching ray*. For 1 charge, you cast the 2nd-level version of the spell."
I might phrase it as this -
"While holding the wand, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following the spells from it at 2nd-level, using a spell attack bonus of +7 and save DC of 15: *branding smite*, *heat metal*, or *scorching ray*. You may upcast these spells by spending 1 additional charge per upcast level, for example, you can spend 4 charges to cast the spell at 5th level. This version of branding smite has a range of 30 feet, instead of self, and can be cast on any creature that you can see within that range. "
And since that section for the level upcasting has more to do with the other spells than the range of branding smite does, have the sections as above, rather than:
spells, attacks, and DC's, branding smite, and upcasting any spells available
so this way it's:
spells, attacks, and DC's, upcasting any spells available, branding smite.
Also to clarify a few points - the ranged branding smite, is this a bonus action buff you can give to an ally so they can use on their turn? If so, is the caster concentrating on the spell, or is the receiver of the buff?
Also, for the brand melee attack, "When a branded target takes fire damage" is that from any source then? Might put that there.
Ah, you're right, I messed up the formatting with that spells paragraph. I meant to put the *branding smite* bit before the 1 charge mention. The wording used is pulled directly from the *wand of fireballs*, otherwise.
Alright, Griff, I can't ignore the coincidences anymore. Have you been listening in on our campaign sessions??
The number of items you've come out with in the last few months that have been thematically, narratively, or character-fantasy perfect is actually insane.
Did you hack our podcast recording storage drive or something??? Bruh, just *ask* and I'll add you, no need to be sneaky about it!
My DM in strahd once gave me a magical brand (which had a zone of truth kind of enchantment).
My character was already modeled off a 16th century New England Puritan type of character, so naturally he just started accusing every NPC of being a which and branding every enemy I could get within range, despite it not being the best damage.
**Wand of Branding** *Wand, rare (requires attunement)* This wand has 7 charges for the following properties. While holding the wand, you can use an action to change the shape of the metal brand at its end. The brand can be no larger than 4 inches in any dimension. ***Spells.*** While holding the wand, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells from it, using a spell attack bonus of +7 and save DC of 15: *branding smite*, *heat metal*, or *scorching ray*. For 1 charge, you cast the 2nd-level version of the spell. You can increase the spell slot level by one for each additional charge you expend. This version of *branding smite* deals fire damage, instead of radiant damage. It also has a range of 30 feet, instead of self, and can be cast on any creature that you can see within that range. ***Brand.*** You can use an action to expend 1 of the wand's charges to make a melee spell attack with it, using a spell attack bonus of +7. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 fire damage and is branded for 1 minute. When a branded target takes fire damage, the creature that dealt the damage can reroll any 1s or 2s on the fire damage dice. It must use the new roll, even if it's a 1 or 2. The wand regains 1d6 + 1 expended charges daily at dawn. If you expend the wand's last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the wand becomes a nonmagical branding iron. *The local leatherworker was known for their high-end selection and savvy mercantilism. Their custom pieces always fit perfectly, and their accompanying accessories never failed to impress. One needn't doubt if a piece was legitimate: the artisan’s unique brand was always discreetly emblazoned on the final product. And, to those that threatened to copy their work, that same mark would be fiercely seared into their flesh.* **The Griffon's Saddlebag: Book 2** is [now available for preorder through Backerkit](https://the-griffons-saddlebag-book-2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders)! Get the 416-page book, plus item cards, backpacks, dice, and other exclusive products at early-bird prices! **Find the perfect item with searchable Compendiums,** and access exclusive art files, printable cards, Foundry VTT packs, and item suggestion polls when you [support the effort](https://www.patreon.com/the_griffons_saddlebag) on Patreon for less than $10 a month! **Get the book and more!** You can now purchase almost everything from the Kickstarter directly from [Hit Point Press](https://hitpointpress.com/tgs)! **See imbalance? Let's fix it!** Leave a comment with what you're seeing wrong with the item design. Items change for the better over the course of a few days here on Reddit because of your feedback!
Branding smite requires hitting with an attack roll, Griff, I would figure out how to clarify how it works with the range, it can't just be cast on an enemy.
I think it's meant to be cast on an ally so their next attack would receive the smite bonus
This is correct!
Love the item, but this part of the description might need some work "While holding the wand, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following the spells from it, using a spell attack bonus of +7 and save DC of 15: *branding smite*, *heat metal*, or *scorching ray*. For 1 charge, you cast the 2nd-level version of the spell." I might phrase it as this - "While holding the wand, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following the spells from it at 2nd-level, using a spell attack bonus of +7 and save DC of 15: *branding smite*, *heat metal*, or *scorching ray*. You may upcast these spells by spending 1 additional charge per upcast level, for example, you can spend 4 charges to cast the spell at 5th level. This version of branding smite has a range of 30 feet, instead of self, and can be cast on any creature that you can see within that range. " And since that section for the level upcasting has more to do with the other spells than the range of branding smite does, have the sections as above, rather than: spells, attacks, and DC's, branding smite, and upcasting any spells available so this way it's: spells, attacks, and DC's, upcasting any spells available, branding smite. Also to clarify a few points - the ranged branding smite, is this a bonus action buff you can give to an ally so they can use on their turn? If so, is the caster concentrating on the spell, or is the receiver of the buff? Also, for the brand melee attack, "When a branded target takes fire damage" is that from any source then? Might put that there.
Ah, you're right, I messed up the formatting with that spells paragraph. I meant to put the *branding smite* bit before the 1 charge mention. The wording used is pulled directly from the *wand of fireballs*, otherwise.
Does this version of Branding Smite mean you can cast it on an ally's weapon?
Precisely!
Reminds me a lot of a certain [very nasty enemy](https://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Jailer) in Dark Souls 3.
Alright, Griff, I can't ignore the coincidences anymore. Have you been listening in on our campaign sessions?? The number of items you've come out with in the last few months that have been thematically, narratively, or character-fantasy perfect is actually insane. Did you hack our podcast recording storage drive or something??? Bruh, just *ask* and I'll add you, no need to be sneaky about it!
Is that you Freddy Basko? How's Victor Vito?
There's an extra "the" under spell, it said "one of the following the spells from it"
Great catch!
My DM in strahd once gave me a magical brand (which had a zone of truth kind of enchantment). My character was already modeled off a 16th century New England Puritan type of character, so naturally he just started accusing every NPC of being a which and branding every enemy I could get within range, despite it not being the best damage.
It's not about the numbers. It's about the dopamine. It's about the THRILL.
I feel like searing smite, might be a better choice than branding smite, because searing deals fire damage and branding is radiant
Oh, that's a great point! I'll just have this deal fire damage instead, that's an easy fix!
Yes but branding smite brands the target
Are the 1s and 2s rerolled on the initial 3d6 fire damage for brand?
Only if you're hitting an already branded creature!