NEW SPELLCASTERS MECHANICS

COMMUNAL CASTING
UNITE YOUR MAGICAL POWERS

5e
OMER SILVERBERG

TOM KREMER
 CREDITS
Lead Designer: Omer Silverberg
Additional Design: Tom Kremer
Art Direction & Layout: Tom Kremer

Cover Artist: Aithlin Art, @aithlinnn

Fellow Spellcasters Be Praised

Many brave gamers from the Kickstarter TTRPG community decided to
give this crazy idea of spellcasters cooperation a chance and backed our
project. Thanks to you, experimental wizards and innovating artificers,
we got the chance to try it out. We loved designing it and playing it and
we hope you would as well!

Notice of Open Game Content

Use of Open Game Content: This work Uses Open Game Content
pursuant to the Open Game License, version 1.0a. and may be used
only under and in terms of that license. No portion of this work other
than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced
or used in any form or fashion without written permission.
Product Identity: The following are hereby identified and designated as
Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e),
and are not Open Game Content: All names, logos and identifying marks including
trade dress, stories, story lines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, language, artwork,
symbols, designs, logos, symbols or graphic designs; and any other trademark or
registered trademark. (Content that has previously been designated as Open Game
Content or is in the public domain is not included in this declaration).
Open Game Content: The Open content in this book includes creatures names,
descriptions, abilities, stat blocks; characters names, descriptions, abilities, stat
blocks; magic items, locations, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects
and rules. No other portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without
permission.

Version 1.0
Communal Casting, Copyright © 2023, The Gate Publishing. All rights reserved.

2
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 5

Communal Casting Feat 6

Harmonized Casting 7
Power Shift 8
Bond Type 8

Communal Spells 10
Level 1 Spells 10
Level 2 Spells 11
Level 3 Spells 15
Level 4 Spells 18

Area of Bond Charts 20

Balance & Power 24

Reference Sheet 28

3
 SPELLS INDEX BY CLASS
Artificer Level 3 Spells Warlock
Communal Climb
Level 1 Spells Level 1 Spells
Defensive Barrier Energy Curtain Minds Brace
Sphere of Protection Mass Disguise Level 2 Spells
Level 2 Spells Thunder Nova Mass False Life
Sphere of Haze Level 4 Spells Level 3 Spells
Energy Deflection Shield Dimension Portal Communal Climb
Field of Energy Sorcerer Mass Disguise
Field of Invisibility
Group Levitation
Level 1 Spells Wizard
Bubble of Languages
Level 1 Spells
Mass False Life Clarity
Bubble of Languages
Mass Swiftness Defensive Barrier Clarity
Level 3 Spells Sphere of Protection Defensive Barrier
Communal Climb Level 2 Spells Sphere of Protection
Energy Curtain Sphere of Haze
Level 2 Spells
Mass Disguise Energy Deflection Shield Sphere of Haze
Level 4 Spells Field of Energy Energy Deflection
Dimension Portal Field of Invisibility Shield
Force Bridge Field of Energy
Bard Group Levitation Field of Invisibility
Level 1 Spells
Mass False Life Force Bridge
Bubble of Languages
Clarity Warding Wind Greater Group Levitation
Collective Valor Level 3 Spells Mass False Life
Defensive Barrier Chromatic Charged Mass Swiftness
Sphere
Sphere of Protection Warding Wind
Communal Climb Greater
Minds Brace
Energy Curtain Level 3 Spells
Level 2 Spells
Mass Disguise Chromatic
Sphere of Haze Charged Sphere
Thunder Nova
Field of Energy Communal Climb
Level 4 Spells
Field of Invisibility Energy Curtain
Plasma Ball
Force Bridge Mass Disguise
Dimension Portal
Mass Swiftness Thunder Nova
Warding Wind Greater Level 4 Spells
Plasma Ball
Dimension Portal

4
 INTRODUCTION
TTRPG’s are collaborative experiences. Communal Casting lets…
We all love to find ways to strategize, • … the sorcerer grant the bard the
scheme and execute clever plans to spell slot she’s missing to save the dying
overcome challenges and slay monsters. cleric.
There are so many ways to accomplish
• … the two wizards hide the whole
that, yet when initiative is rolled each
party from sight just as the army of
character is left alone to wait their turn
giants rushes past.
and do their thing. Many plans and
combos do not stand fast when the • … the artificer and warlock use
situation changes turn after turn, dice illusion to make the party look like the
roll after dice roll. Queen’s guard and pass through the
gate unmolested.
What if we could change that? What
if combos could really work? What • … the elemental sorcerers feed their
if you could pool your powers most powerful spell slots to charge a
with your companions and damaging globe of elemental force,
create extraordinary effects? holding for the exact moment their
massive explosions? Expend chances to hit are the greatest.
your resources for greater Sounds fun, right? We hope you’ll enjoy
gains? it just as much as we did!
That is what we set out
to do with Communal
Casting.
We want our spellcasters
working together, taking
risks, changing the battlefield
and creating unforgettable
moments at the table.

Backer Spells
We would like to aknowledge and Minds Brace by Big Bo.
thank the backers that submitted spell Energy Deflection Shield by Relly
suggestions during our Kickstarter
Plasma Ball by Seth
campaign. All of you had fantastic ideas
that sparked our imagination. Dimension Portal by Taylor
We tested and workshoped the ideas
and a few selected into Communal
Spells in this book. The following
are the spell names and backers who
submitted them.

5
COMMUNAL CASTING Introduction
 COMMUNAL CASTING FEAT
Prerequisite: At least one level of Artificer,
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, or Wizard
You gain the ability to magically bond
yourself (the Prime) to another
spellcaster (the Auxiliary) to unite
your powers. As a bonus action on your
turn, you can try to open a channel of
magical energy to another spellcaster
within range and create a magical
bond between you. The Auxiliary must
immediately use their Reaction to accept
the bond, or the connection fails.
• For the duration of the bond, the
Prime caster must spend their Bonus
Action at the top of the turn, every
round to maintain it, you can do so for
up to 1 minute at a time.
• Once bonded, both casters must end
their turn within the Bond Range of
each other or the bond breaks.
• You can use the ability to establish the
bond a number of times equal to your
proficiency bonus. You regain spent
uses of this ability when you finish a
long rest.
Bond Range
The casters can establish and maintain
the bond for a maximum distance
depending on their cumulative caster
levels. See the Bond Range Table.
Bond Range Table
Cumulative Maximum
Casters Level Distance
2 to 12 10 ft
13 to 18 15 ft
19 to 24 20 ft
25 or higher 25 ft
6
COMMUNAL CASTING Communal Casting Feat
Bond Sphere
When casting a spell with a Bond Sphere
area the bonded casters create a sphere
area of effect around each of them
and the area of effect extends between
the casters up to their maximum Bond
Range, creating a rounded rectangle. See
the Area of Bond chapter for diagrams.
Bond Benefits
Once the bond is established,
magical energy arches between
the castes as magical energy
pass between them, and they
gain the following benefits
for as long as the bond is
maintained:
• Life Bond. While the
casters are bonded they
split the damage they
take equally between
themselves. If one of the
casters takes damage it
is reduced by half and the
other caster takes the same
reduced amount of damage.
• Harmonized Casting. Both
casters can spend their action and
spell slots casting Communal Spells (see
details below).
• Telepathic Link. For the duration of
the bond, the casters can communicate
telepathically.
• Power Shift. While bonded, one of
the casters can spend their action to
transfer some of their arcane energy to
the other caster (see details below).
Bond Type
While initially creating the bond, the
Prime must choose the type of bond
established from the following options:
• Communal Concentration
• Collective Power
• Balanced Duality
See details about each option under the
Unified Power section later in this chapter.
Breaking the Bond
The bond immediately breaks,
terminating all active Communal Spells
if and when:
• One of the casters choses to do
so (no action required).
• If the casters end their turn
outside of the maximum
allowed Bond Range.
• One of the casters opens
a new bond to another
caster.
COMMUNAL CASTING Communal Casting Feat
• One of the casters becomes
incapacitated, paralyzed, petrified,
stunned, or unconscious.
Harmonized
Casting
Casting Communal spells require the
following conditions to be met:
Spell Prepared: One of the casters
must have the communal spell prepared
(see the spell list below).
Spell Save DC: The spell save DC
equals the higher spell save DC of the
two spellcasters.
Simultaneous Casting: When one of
the spellcasters casts a Communal spell,
the other must use their Reaction and
spend the appropriate spell slot or the
spell immediately fails.
Up-Casting: Both casters can choose
to use a higher spell slot if available. See
each spell for up-casting effects, if any.
7
Power Shift
On their turn, one of the casters can
spend their action to expend a spell
slot of 2nd level or higher and transfer
arcane energy to the second caster. The
receiving caster recovers one expended
spell slot at the end of their turn. The
level of the recovered spell slot is one
level lower than the spell slot expended
using Power Shift (e.g. 2nd level spell slot
recovers a 1st level spell slot).
Bond Type
While initially creating the bond, you
must choose the type of bond. Each
Bond Type gives different benefits and
options for the Prime and Auxiliary
casters. The Bond Type cannot be
changed once a bond is established.
Choose one of the below options:
Communal Concentration
Transfer & Bolster Concentration
As an action, one of the casters, who
is already concentrating on a spell, can
attempt to transfer the concentration
to the other caster bonded to them.
The receiving caster must succeed on a
spell-casting-ability check. The DC of
the check is 10 + the spell-level of the
transferred spell. If the check fails the
transfer fails, and the spell immediately
ends. If the spell is not known to the
recipient caster, they have disadvantage
on the check.
While bonded this way, if one of the
casters has to make a save to maintain
concentration on a spell, the other caster
can spend their reaction to give them
advantage.
8
COMMUNAL CASTING Communal Casting Feat
Collective Power
Upcast & Combine Spell Slots.
When one of the casters casts a spell that
can be upcasted, the second caster can
use their Reaction, spend a spell slot,
and channel magical energy to empower
the spell. As a result, the spell is cast
at the level of the combined spell slots
expended (up to a combined 7th level
spell slot).
This ability only works for spells cast
using spellcasting or innate spellcasting
abilities (no scrolls nor magic items).
Balanced Duality
Transfer Your Power to Bonded Caster
The casters can use the bond to
transfer arcane power from one
to the other. One gains great
benefits while the other
sacrifices their vitality and
energy. Each caster benefits
or suffers one of the
opposing spell-like magical
effects in the following
table.
You can think of other
positive and negative
effects that are interesting
to use and see how it plays
out. Experimenting time!
Balanced Duality Table
Caster Gain Caster Drain
Enlarge Reduce
Truesight Blindness
Haste Slow
Blur Faerie Fire
Ray of
Bull’s Strength
Enfeeblement
Damage Type Damage Type
Resistance Vulnerability
Both casters can choose to end the effect
at any time (no action needed). The effect
ends at the end of both casters’ turns.
9
 1
Level 1 Spells COMMUNAL SPELLS
st
L
evel
Spells
Bubble of Languages
Clarity
1st-level Divination
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of soot
and salt)
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
For the duration, all creatures within
range understand the literal meaning
of any spoken language that they can
hear. They also understand any written
language that they see, but they must
be touching the surface on which the
words are written. It takes about 2
minutes to read one page of text.
This spell doesn’t decode secret
messages in a text or glyph, such as an
arcane sigil, that isn’t part of a written
language.
Spell Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
10
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 1 Spells
Collective Valor
1st-level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
Any creatures within range are imbued
with bravery. Until the spell ends,
the creatures are immune to being
frightened. If the creature leaves the
spell range, the effect on them
immediately ends.
Spell Lists: Bard
Defensive
Barrier
1st-level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 5 ft.
Bond Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both
casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
A thin transparent crystal barrier
appears around the casters. Until
destroyed, the barrier blocks movement,
melee and ranged attacks. The barrier
has AC 10 and 20 hit points and is
vulnerable to bludgeoning and thunder
damage.
When reduced to 0 hit points the
barrier shatters and vanishes.
At higher levels: For every spell slot of
2nd level or higher used by one of the
casters, the barrier’s hit points increases
by 10.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
 2
Sphere of Protection
1st-level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both casters) Level 2 Spells
Duration: Up to 1 minute
A shimmering barrier of magical force

nd
surrounds the two casters. For the
duration, all creatures inside the barrier

L
have a +1 bonus to their AC and saving

throws against all attacks and spells
originating from outside the sphere.
At higher levels: When both casters
cast this spell using a spell slot of
2nd level or higher, the AC bonus
increases by 1 for each slot level
above 1st, up to a maximum
of +4.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard,
Sorcerer, Wizard
Minds Brace
1st-level Enchantment
BACKER SPELL
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond
Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both
casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
Creatures within range gain a surge of
vitality that sharpens their minds. Until
the spell ends, the creatures are resistant
to psychic damage and have advantage
on saving throws against being charmed
or dominated. When a creature is
outside the range of the spell, the effect
on them ends.
evel
Spells
Sphere of Haze
2nd-level Illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
A shimmering haze surrounds the
casters, making everything on the other
side of the barrier blurred, shifting and
wavering to all who can see it. For the
duration, any melee or ranged attacks
have disadvantage if they pass through
the barrier. Any sight related Wisdom
(Perception) checks to perceive details
on the other side of the barrier have
disadvantage. An attacker ignores this
effect if they do not use sight, as with
blindsight, or can see through illusions,
as with true sight.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard

Spell Lists: Bard, Warlock

11
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 2 Spells
Energy Deflection
Shield
2nd-level Abjuration
BACKER SPELL
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which one
of the spellcasters takes when they take
acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder
damage
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
A shimmering magical shield surrounds
the casters, deflecting some of the
incoming energy. All creatures in the
shield’s area have resistance to the
triggering damage type until the start of
the caster’s next turn.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
Field of Energy
2nd-level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
A spherical swirling field of energy
surrounds the two casters. You choose
acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, or
thunder for the type of sphere they
create. The field is considered lightly
obscured for Perception checks into
and out of the sphere.
Any creature crossing the field must
make a Constitution saving throw. On a
failed save, a creature takes 3d8 damage
of the chosen type, or half as much on
a successful save. A creature making
a melee attack through the field must
make a Constitution saving throw. On
a failed save the creature suffers 1d8
damage of the type you chose, or half
as much on a successful one.
12
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 2 Spells
At Higher Levels: For every spell
slot of 3rd level or higher used by one
of the casters, the damage increases by
1d8.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
Field of Invisibility
2nd-level Illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 5 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S, M (an eyelash
encased in gum arabic)
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
The area around the casters twists
and bends by magical forces until
the spell ends. All creatures
and objects inside the field
are invisible to any creature
outside the field. The spell
ends if:
• One of the casters is 5
ft. or more from where
they were when the
spell was cast.
• Any creature crosses the
field.
• Any of the creatures
inside the field attack a
creature on the outside.
Any creature inside the field casts a
spell with a target or an area of effect
outside the field.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
13
Force Bridge
2nd-level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
An arched field of energy, 15 feet
long and 5 feet wide, shimmers into
existence within range. The bridge is
solid and immobile and can hold up to
500 pounds. If the weight capacity is
exceeded the spell ends immediately. If
one of the casters are more than 5 ft.
from where they were when the spell
was cast, the bridge starts flickering and
disappears at the end of the caster’s
next turn.
At Higher Levels: For every spell slot
of 3rd level or higher used by one of
the casters, the maximum length of the
bridge increases by 5 feet, and it can
hold an additional 100 pounds.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
Group Levitation
2nd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S, M (either a small
leather loop or a copper wire spring)
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
The spellcasters, plus a number of
creatures equal to the sum of their
proficiency bonuses, rise vertically, up
to 20 feet, and remain suspended there
for the duration. The spell can levitate a
creature that weighs up to 1500 pounds.
An unwilling creature that succeeds
on a Constitution saving throw is
unaffected.
The creatures can move only by
pushing or pulling against a fixed object
or surface within reach (such as a wall
or a ceiling), which allows them to
14
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 2 Spells
move as if they were climbing. Once
per turn, one of the casters can use
their action to change all the affected
creatures’ altitude by up to 20 feet in
either direction. The spell effect ends
for a creature when it moves outside the
spell range.
When the spell ends, the target floats
gently to the ground if it is still aloft.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
Mass False Life
2rd-level Necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S, M (a small
amount of alcohol or distilled
spirits)
Duration: 1 hour
Every creature within
range gains 1d4+4
temporary hit points for
the duration.
At Higher Levels: For
every spell slot of 3rd
level or higher used by
one of the casters, you
gain 4 additional temporary
hit points for each spell level
above 2nd to a maximum of 20
hit points.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Warlock,
Wizard
Mass Swiftness
2nd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of dirt)
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: 1 min
Any creature friendly to you who starts
its turn within range increases their
speed by 10 feet until the end of their
next turn.

At higher levels: You can increase
the speed by additional 5 feet for every
two levels above 2nd up to a maximum
of 20ft.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Wizard
Warding Wind Greater
2nd-level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
A strong wind (20 miles per hour) blows
in the Bond Sphere area around
the casters and moves with them.
The wind lasts for the spell’s
duration.
The wind has the following
effects:
• It deafens you and
other creatures in its area.
• It extinguishes
unprotected flames in
its area, such as a small
campfire, a torch or
smaller.
• The area is difficult terrain
for creatures other than the
bonded casters.
• The attack rolls of ranged weapon
attacks have disadvantage if they pass
in or out of the wind.
• It hedges out vapor, gas, and fog that
can be dispersed by strong wind.
Spell Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
Level 3 Spells
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 3 Spells
3
rd
L
evel
Spells
Chromatic Charged
Sphere
3rd-level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S, M (a diamond
worth at least 100 gp)
Duration: Concentration by both
casters, up to 1 minute
You create an 8-inch-diameter sphere
of energy in an empty spot you can
see within range or a spot occupied by
another sphere created by your bonded
caster. You choose acid, cold, fire,
lightning, poison, or thunder for the
type of sphere you create. If another
sphere is present in the same spot, the
spheres Meld (See Melding Spheres).
Until the spell ends, you can spend your
action to Hold the sphere in its place
(see Holding the Sphere), charging it
with more energy, or Hurl it at a target
(see Hurling the Sphere). The sphere
can be hurled only after melding with
another sphere.
Melding Spheres: If you have an
active Bond with another spellcaster
you can add your sphere to theirs, as
part of the casting of this spell, making
the spheres meld one into the other,
15
creating one sphere made of the two
chosen elements. While the spheres are
combined they are charged with your
magical powers and grow in strength
the longer you concentrate on holding
them.
Holding the Sphere: at the start of
each of your turn you can spend your
action to Hold the sphere. Make a DC
10 Concentration check. On a failure
the sphere disappears and the spell is
broken for both spellcasters. Add 2 to
the DC of the Concentration check
for each round you are Holding. Each
round both spellcasters successfully Hold
add 4d8 to the damage of the sphere.
Hurling the Sphere: at the end of
your turn you can hurl the sphere at
a creature you can see within 120 ft.
Make a ranged spell attack against the
target. If the attack hits, the creature
takes 10d8 damage, plus the Hold
damage for each round held. The
damage is considered of both types
of damage you chose (bypassing any
resistances and immunities unless the
target is resistant or immune to both
damage types).
Spell Lists: Sorcerer, Wizard
Communal Climb
3rd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S, M (a drop of
bitumen and a spider)
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 10 minutes
Until the spell ends, you can grant a
number of creatures (including yourself)
equal to your proficiency bonus the
ability to move up, down, and across
vertical surfaces and upside down along
ceilings while leaving their hands free.
The targets also gain a climbing speed
equal to their walking speed.
The effect of the spell ends for a
16
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 3 Spells
creature when they leave the spell’s
range. The GM might allow for
a Dexterity save to avoid falling.
Returning to the spell’s area of effect
after losing its benefits does not reinstate
them.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Warlock,
Wizard
Energy Curtain
3rd-level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: up to the maximum
Bond Range between the casters
Components: V, S
Concentration: Yes (both
casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
Ribbons of shimmering
energy leap back and
forth between the casters,
creating a 10-foot-tall
mesmerizing curtain.
The curtain moves with
the casters, changing its
length to the distance
between them. The
curtain can pass through
most barriers, but it is
blocked by 3 feet of wood or
dirt, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of
common metal, or a thin sheet
of lead. Each creature crossing
the screen must make a Dexterity
saving throw, suffering 3d10 lightning
damage on a failure or half as much
on a successful save. Creatures made
of metal or wearing metal armor have
disadvantage on the roll.
At Higher Levels: For every spell slot
of 3rd level or higher used by one of the
casters, the damage increases by 1d10.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
Mass Disguise
3rd-level Illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 10 ft. Bond Sphere
Components: V, S
Concentration: No
Duration: Up to 1 minute
You make yourself and any other
humanoid of your choice within
range – their external features such as
clothing, armor, weapons, and other
belongings carried by the affected
creatures – look different until the spell
ends or until you use your action to
dismiss it. The spell ends for a creature
if they leave the area of the spell.
You can’t change the height
or build. You can’t change
the creature’s body type
appearance, so you must
adopt a form with the
same basic arrangement
of limbs.
The changes wrought by
this spell fail to hold up
to physical inspection. To
discern that a creature is
disguised, a creature can
use its action to inspect
your appearance and must
succeed on an Intelligence
(Investigation) check against your
spell save DC.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer,
Warlock, Wizard
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 3 Spells
Thunder Nova
3th-level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: Self/15 feet radius
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
The casters touch hands and release a
burst of sonic energy. Each creature in
a 15-foot of the casters must make a
Constitution saving throw. On a failed
save, a creature takes 3d8 thunder
damage, is pushed back 10 feet directly
away from the closest caster, and
falls prone. On a successful save, the
creature takes half as much damage,
and it is only pushed back 5 feet.
In addition, unsecured objects that are
completely within the area of effect are
automatically pushed 10 feet away from
you by the spell’s effect, and the spell
emits a thunderous boom audible out to
300 feet.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this
spell using a cumulative spell slot of 4th
level or higher, for each cumulative slot
level above 3rd the damage increases by
1d8, and the impact radius is increased
by 5 feet (up to a maximum of 30 feet).
Spell Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
17
 4
th
Level 4 Spells
L
evel
Spells
Plasma Ball
4th-level Evocation
BACKER SPELL
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 60 ft.
Components: V, S, M (sulfur and
crystal)
Concentration: Yes (both casters)
Duration: Up to 1 minute
The Bonded caster creates a flaming
5-foot-diameter sphere of fire in an
unoccupied space within range. Any
creature within 5 feet of the sphere
takes 1d6 fire damage at the start of
their turn.
The second Bonded caster must use
their reaction and spend a 4th level
spell slot to form a 5 feet wide line of
lightning originating from them and
hitting the sphere of fire. Any creature
in the line takes 1d6 lightning damage
at the start of their turn.
At the start of any of the casters’
turns they can choose to detonate the
plasma ball or continue concentrating,
maintaining its sphere form.
If any of the casters’ concentration
breaks, the sphere and lightning fizzles
out and disappears immediately.
18
COMMUNAL CASTING Level 4 Spells
When the plasma ball detonates it
creates a ball of searing, white-hot
plasma. Each creature in a 20-foot-
radius sphere centered on that point
must make a Dexterity saving throw.
A target takes 12d8 fire and lightning
damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one. The
damage is considered of both types of
damage, bypassing any resistances and
immunities (unless the target is resistant
or immune to both damage types).
At higher levels: When you cast this
spell using a spell slot of 5th level or
higher, the damage increases by 2d6 for
each slot above 4th.
Spell Lists: Sorcerer, Wizard
Dimension Portal
4th-level Conjuration
BACKER SPELL
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 120 feet
Components: V
Concentration: Yes
(both casters)
Duration: 1 round
A shimmering, reflective
portal opens in the area
between the casters. The
surface extends 10 feet high. A
similar portal appears at a point
one of the casters can see within
range. Any creature moving to cross
the surface is immediately teleported
through the portal and can contiune
moving normally. The portal stays open
until the end of the caster’s next turn.
The size of creatures that can travel
through the portal is determined by the
distance between the casters: 5 feet -
Medium or smaller; 10 feet - Large; 15
feet - Huge (if its form allows it to pass
unhindered through the 10-foot-high
portal); etc. A creature cannot squeeze
through the portal.
Spell Lists: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
19
 AREA OF BOND CHARTS
10 ft. Bond Sphere / Casters 10 ft. Apart

10 ft 10 ft 10 ft

10 ft. Bond Sphere / Casters 5 ft. Apart

10 ft 5 ft 10 ft

20
COMMUNAL CASTING Area of Bond Charts
10 ft. Bond Sphere / Casters 0 ft. Apart

0 ft

10 ft 10 ft

5 ft. Bond Sphere / Casters 5 ft. Apart

5 ft 5 ft 5 ft

21
COMMUNAL CASTING Area of Bond Charts
 10 ft. Bond Sphere / Casters 15 ft. Apart

10 ft 15 ft 10 ft

5 ft. Bond Sphere / Casters 15 ft. Apart

5 ft 15 ft 5 ft

22
COMMUNAL CASTING Area of Bond Charts
 5 ft. Bond Sphere / Casters 20 ft. Apart
5
ft

20
ft

5
ft

23
COMMUNAL CASTING Area of Bond Charts
 BALANCE & POWER (or is it broken?)
To enable your spellcasters to use
Communal Casting one of them has to
take a dedicated feat. Once one of the
spellcasters has this feat they can create
a bond to a second spellcaster, pooling
their powers together to create powerful
new effects and spells.
Game Balance
Maintaining a balanced game while
incorporating homebrew materials
is probably one of the biggest GM
challenges. The goal of this new game
mechanics is to add something exciting,
different, and memorable to your table.
While setting the right price, the PCs
must pay in order to master these strong
abilities.
As masters of divination, we foresee that
while some of you will find the contest
of this module exciting and will consider
ways to implement it as part of your next
game session, others might be a little
more hesitant and find the mechanics
or spells to be highly unbalanced and
24
COMMUNAL CASTING Balance & Power
potentially overpowered (OP). Let us try
to give a few pointers on how to make
this ride a joyous one.
First thing: enjoy! We found
Communal Casting to shake things up
on our table, creating fun, new scenarios
that forces everyone to think and act
differently. We find this fun and hope you
will as well!
Second thing: as veteran GMs
who frequently use 3rd party
and homebrew materials, we
can fully understand your
concern. Instead of trying to
convince anyone, we have
simply decided to share the
main aspects considered as
part of our thinking and
play-testing process.
By allowing Communal
Casting at your table,
your players will get new
cool, and exciting options,
but these options come for a
(substantial) price:
Action Economy
The first and most effective balancing
tool we use is Action Economy. Action
economy is the main principle we
used to balance the communal casting
mechanism:
• The caster using the feat must spend
their bonus action on every turn to
maintain the bond.
• Each time one of the casters casts a
new communal spell, the other must
spend their Reaction.
Character Options
The second tool is Feats. The player
needs to invest in their character if
they want to build a Communal
Caster.
• A player must invest an
Ability Score Increase in
order to get the Communal
Casting feat.
Spell Casters
Resources
• Concentration spells
require the concentration
of both casters.
• Known/Prepared spells
limitations. Like with ordinary
spells, casters must prepare
their communal spells in advance.
COMMUNAL CASTING Balance & Power
Dedicating known/prepared spell
slots to powerful but mostly situational
spells will come at the expense of
preparing “ordinary” spells.
Risky Business
• Vulnerability to AOE attacks. Both
casters, as well as any creature
benefiting from the spell effect, are
concentrated in a relatively small area,
making them extremely vulnerable to
AOE attacks.
• Movement limitation. While bonded,
the casters have very limited ability
to move and maneuver around the
battlefield.
• While the Life Bond effect increases
the survivability of both casters, it
also means that any damage taken
by one one the casters forces both of
them to make a concentration check,
dramatically reducing their chances
of maintaining spell that require
concentration over multiple rounds
Lastly: we want the rules work well for
as many tables as possible. We would be
happy to revise and improve the rules in
this book to make that happen, so don’t
forget to share with us your feedback and
ideas for improving this mechanism. This
would be very helpful for future versions.
25
Nova Rounds
Some of you probably think we have
overlooked the option of both casters
upcasting damage dealing spells at the
same round, dealing massive amounts of
damage. You probably think this is surely
OP.
This is the way we see it:
Why not let your players feel like
superheroes from time to time?! There
are few things more satisfying to an
adventuring party than crushing a
formidable foe.
As for breaking the balance of your
table, if your table playstyle features
mainly Big Bad Bosses fights, then it
most probably will. However, if you are
running diverse sessions with multiple
encounters and long adventuring days,
you should be able to adjust just fine.
How, you ask? The answer is simple. Just
think how fast the spell casters' resources
will be depleted.
For example, the overall combined spell
levels of two full-casters of 7th level is
46 (each has 1x 4th, 3x 3rd, 3x 2nd and
4x 1st - total of 23). If at the first round
of battle they go supernova and cast two
7th level spells (4th level upcasted using
3 extra slots by the other spellcaster) they
will spend a total of 14 slots (~30% of
their daily spell power in one round (yes
yes, we know some have access to arcane
recovery, pearls of power etc.). And if
they continue at full force for a second
round and spend an additional 6 spell
slots each, they are now in a position
where ~57% of their spell resources are
consumed and have only spell slots of
2nd level or lower.
26
COMMUNAL CASTING Balance & Power
We personally love letting our players
go ballistic from time to time, and find it
relatively simple to avoid game-breaking
situations by using standard GM
methods such as extra waves of minions,
“boss-like” lieutenants and interrupting
short or long rests.
Customizing the balance
at your table
If you are still concerned about the
mechanics being unbalanced, here are a
few suggestions for ways to adjust it:
Still too powerful?
Consider one of the following:
• You don’t have to allow all
our spells at your table;
keep out any spell that
you feel might break your
game.
• Make the Communal
Casting feat available
only for 8th level casters
or higher.
• Require both casters to
have the feat in order to
use this ability.
Too taxing
• Just drop the feat requirement;
any arcane spell caster will be able
to cast communal spells.
27
 REFERENCE SHEET
Use this sheet to track the Prime and Auxiliary spellcasters’ Communal Spells,
actions, bonus actions and reactions.

Prime Caster Auxiliary Caster

Name: Name:

Player Name: Player Name:

Spellcaster Class: Spellcaster Class:

Spellcaster Level: Spellcaster Level:

Bonds Available:
Proficiency Bonus. Recovers on Long Rest

Cumulative Communal
Spellcasters Spell Save DC:
Level: DC equals the higher DC
of the bonded spellcasters

Bond Range:
Level 2 to 12 = 10 ft Bond Type:
Level 13 to 18 = 15 ft • Communal Concentration
Level 19 to 24 = 20 ft • Collective Power
Level 25 or higher = 25 ft • Balanced Duality

Bond Benefits
• Life Bond. If one caster takes damage it is
reduced by half and the other caster takes the
same reduced amount of damage.
• Telepathic Link. For the duration of
the bond, the casters can communicate
telepathically.
• Power Shift. One of the casters can spend
their action to transfer some of their arcane
energy to the other caster. The receiving
caster recovers one expended spell slot at the
end of their turn. The level of the recovered
spell slot is one level lower than the spell slot
expended.
• Harmonized Casting. Both casters can
spend their action and spell slots casting
communal spells.
° Simultaneous Casting: When one of
the spellcasters casts a Communal spell,
the other must use their Reaction and
spend the appropriate spell slot or the
spell immediately fails.
° Up-Casting: Both casters can choose
to use a higher spell slot if available. See
each spell for up-casting effects, if any.

28
Prime Action Tracker
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6
Action
Bonus Action
Reaction

Auxiliary Action Tracker

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6
Action
Bonus Action
Reaction

Prepared Level Name Up-cast

O 1 Bubble of Languages Clarity -
O 1 Collective Valor -
O 1 Defensive Barrier YES, +10 hp
O 1 Sphere of Protection YES, +1 AC (max. +4)
O 1 Minds Brace -
O 2 Sphere of Haze -
O 2 Energy Deflection Shield -
O 2 Field of Energy YES, +1d8 damage
O 2 Field of Invisibility -
O 2 Force Bridge YES, +5 ft +100 pounds
O 2 Group Levitation -
O 2 Mass False Life YES, +4 hp
O 2 Mass Swiftness YES, 2 levels = +5 ft
O 2 Warding Wind Greater -
O 3 Chromatic Charged Sphere -
O 3 Communal Climb -
O 3 Energy Curtain YES, +1d10 damage
O 3 Mass Disguise -
O 3 Thunder Nova YES, +1d8 +5 ft
O 4 Plasma Ball YES, +2d6
O 5 Dimension Portal -

29
OPEN GAME License Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast,
LLC. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc
(“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: (a)”Contributors” means the copyright and/
or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game
Content; (b)”Derivative Material” means copyrighted
material including derivative works and translations
(including into other computer languages), potation,
modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade,
improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form
in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or
adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce, License, rent,
lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise
distribute; (d)”Open Game Content” means the game
mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes
and routines to the extent such content does not embody
the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior
art and any additional content clearly identified as Open
Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work
covered by this License, including translations and derivative
works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product
Identity. (e) “Product Identity” means product and product
line names, logos and identifying marks including trade
dress; artifacts; Creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots,
thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork,
Symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses,
concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other
visual or audio representations; names and descriptions
of Characters, Spells, enchantments, personalities,
teams, personas, likenesses and Special abilities; places,
locations, environments, Creatures, Equipment, magical or
supernatural Abilities or Effects, logos, Symbols, or graphic
designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark
clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the
Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the OPEN
Game Content; (f) “Trademark” means the logos, names,
mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor
to Identify itself or its products or the associated products
contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor
(g) “Use”, “Used” or “Using” means to use, Distribute,
copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create
Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or
“Your” means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game
Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open
Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of
this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open
Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to
or subtracted from this License except as described by the
License itself. No other terms or Conditions may be applied
to any Open Game Content distributed using this License.
3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content
You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing
to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual,
worldwide, royalty-free, nonexclusive License with the exact
terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.
5.Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are
contributing original material as Open Game Content,
You represent that Your Contributions are Your original
Creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the
rights conveyed by this License.
30
6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the
COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include
the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open
Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing,
and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the
copyright holder’s name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of
any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use
any Product Identity, including as an indication as to
compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another,
independent Agreement with the owner of each element
of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate
compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark
or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work
containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed
in another, independent Agreement with the owner of
such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any
Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute
a Challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The
owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content
shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product
Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game
Content You must clearly indicate which portions
of the work that you are distributing are Open
Game Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its
designated Agents may publish updated
versions of this License. You may use
any authorized version of this License
to copy, modify and distribute any
Open Game Content originally
distributed under any version of this
License.
10. Copy of this License: You MUST
include a copy of this License with
every copy of the Open Game Content
You Distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may
not market or advertise the Open Game
Content using the name of any Contributor
unless You have written permission from the
Contributor to do so.
12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to
comply with any of the terms of this License with respect
to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute,
judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not
Use any Open Game Material so affected.
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically
if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure
such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the
breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this
License.
14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to
be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to
the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Open Game License v 1.0a
Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, LLC. System
Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the
Coast, LLC.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford,
Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt,
Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve
Townshend, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax
and Dave Arneson.
31
 CASTERS JOIN FORCES!
Mechanics & Spells for a Powerful New Play Style!
Create a Bond & Pool Your Magical Powers Together
for Awesome Effects!
Communal Casting has new mechanics allowing two
spellcasters to combine their powers like never before!

© 2023 The Gate Publishing 5e

32