Are you looking for an exciting way to spice up your character with unique and underused spells? Then Intellect Fortress is worth your consideration. However, if you want to read the source on this Dungeons and Dragons magic: you can find the abjuration in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.
This guide will read everything you need to know about Intellect Fortress, how to use it best, and a few FAQs to help you along the way.
What is Intellect Fortress 5e, and how does it work
Attributes
- Casting time: 1 action
- Level: 3rd level Abjuration
- Range: 30 feet
- Target: Willing creating in range and you can see
- Components: Verbal only
- Duration: Concentration, up to an hour
- Classes: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard, and Warlock
Spell description
For the duration of Intellect Fortress, you pick one willing creature you can see in the range of 30 feet. The NPC you cast a spell on now has resistance to psychic damage and has an advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma saves.
You can also upcast the spell: When you put Intellect Fortress in the next spell slot (the 4th), you can target an additional creature. For every slot above the third, you can add another creature. However, these creatures must all be within 30 feet of one another.
Intellect Fortress’s advantages and drawbacks
Pros
- Great for supporting frontline: If you have a frontliner or a tank that needs some extra support, intellect fortress is a great way to ensure status conditions don’t bog them down.
- Only needs verbal components: To cast the spell, you only need to be able to say audible words. So, you can use it even if your hands are bound, or you don’t have any items on you.
Cons
- Bad upcasting: The upcasting for the Intellect fortress is pretty bad. The targets need to be pretty close to each other. So you will have to keep a tight line if you want to use the spell optimally.
- The concentration needed: To use the spell, you must ensure you keep your attention. If you do not, the spell will end. The duration is pretty good; an hour is often more than enough for a fight, even a lengthy one.
Best uses for Intellect Fortress 5e
1. Protect your tank and frontliner
The primary use for Intellect Fortress is to protect your big guys up front. So if you want to ensure they survive, giving them an advantage on INT, WIS, and CHA saving throws is going to be huge.
These saving throws are all fantastic for Barbarians and Fighters who do not have very high magic resistance like a Paladin. This advantage allows them to prevent getting stunned or paralyzed by the spells of magic casters.
2. Get better deals
You can use Intellect Fortress outside of combat too. You get an advantage on all CHA, INT, and WIS saving throws. So if you feel like you are getting ripped off by a merchant and need to make a saving throw, you have the advantage on that! There are a ton of other interesting saving throws you can make with the Intelligent Fortress.
Next to better deals, you can make a ton of saving throws that are very useful outside of combat, thanks to this spell.
3. Survive Psychic damage
One damage type that not many have resistance to is Psychic damage. When fighting a creature like a Mindflayer, you will often notice that no one in your party has resistance (let alone immunity) to psychic damage.
When you have Intellect Fortress, you can give at least one of your allies or familiars a resistance against this damage type. So your battle will be much easier. If you upcast the spell, you can eventually give your whole party the necessary resistance against this damage type.
4. Upgrading Protection from Good and Evil
If you enjoy the spell Protection from Good and Evil and want an upgrade or want to have a superior version, then you should consider Intellect Fortress 5e. You can get more targets protected, with more options for saving throws.
I would not get Intellect Fortress if you already have PGaE. It is not worth having two spell slots dedicated to these spells.
Advice and final thoughts
Intellect Fortress is an excellent spell if your frontliners are struggling with magic casters and are taking too much damage from psychic users. Thanks to the advantage of saving throws for Charisma, Wisdom, and Intelligence, you can avoid getting stunned or paralyzed. You also avoid getting targeted by annoying spells like Mind Spike, which have secondary effects.
In short, if you are looking for excellent support magic to aid your party in fighting against a more extensive array of enemies, then Intellect Fortress is fantastic. Your barbarian with low INT will be more than happy if you choose this abjuration. The CHA, INT, and WIS saving throws can also be very useful outside of combat.
| Spell Name | Intellect Fortress |
|---|---|
| Spell Description | Grants resistance to psychic damage and advantage on certain saves |
| Casting Range | 30 feet |
| Upcasting | Can target additional creatures when upcasted |
| Advantages | Provides support to frontliners, only requires verbal components |
| Disadvantages | Limited upcasting range, requires concentration |
| Best Uses | Protecting tanks, improving saving throws, surviving psychic damage |
| Comparison to PGaE | Offers more targets and saving throw options |
Note: check out our best demons for Summon Greater Demon 5e and Mind Spike 5e Guide to know more about DnD and how to play!
Intellect Fortress FAQ
Is Intellect Fortress a good spell?
Yes, Intellect Fortress is pretty decent. While it might not be the optimal pick for this spell slot, it can be used quite often, and the effects are generally beneficial. For example, Dungeons and Dragons 5e expansions have many creatures that deal psychic damage or force you to do WIS, INT, and CHA throw.
Is intellect fortress a concentration spell?
Yes, Intellect Fortress in 5e is a concentration spell. That means you must keep your concentration to keep the magic active. If you take damage or break your concentration on purpose, your target will no longer have an advantage on the saving throw.
What is the range of Intellect Fortress?
The range of the Intellect Fortress spell is 30 feet. However, your willing target also needs to be in the visible spectrum. So you must be able to see the creature you want to buff. The creature won’t be affected if it is behind a wall or a hill.