Best 4th and 5th Circle Spells in Tales of the Valiant

Introduction

At 4th and 5th circle, choose spells for the encounter job they can change: remove a key enemy, split a battlefield, protect an ally, cross an obstacle, or create sustained pressure. A higher circle does not make every option universally useful.

Concentration is a real constraint at this tier. Holding polymorph, greater hold, or wall of fire can be worth more than a second spell, but casting another concentration spell ends the first. Compare spells by their effect, action economy, and the situations where you can protect that commitment. Combat Casting can help when maintaining a spell is central to the plan.

For half-casters, 4th and 5th circle arrive later and with fewer slots, so dependable class-shaped choices usually beat a narrow answer. Full casters have more room to prepare alternatives, but still need to decide which problem is common enough to reserve concentration and a high-circle slot for it.

This guide rates 4th- and 5th-circle spells across all four source lists, then gives quick-reference tables, class-by-class picks, and synergy notes. Labyrinth Worldbook spells are marked as (Labyrinth Worldbook), and Player's Guide 2 spells are marked as (Player's Guide 2).

Labyrinth Worldbook adds unusual tools such as transformation, flight, anti-healing weapons, Void summons, construct servants, metal detonation, and freezing control. Check whether those additions solve a map, recovery, or pressure problem that your existing spells do not already cover.

Player's Guide 2 adds anti-metal control, magical music, mercy and order auras, party flight, quicksand, psychic save pressure, Wyrd necromancy, and ritual utility. Witch and Theurge gain several additional options, so confirm which supplemental books your GM allows before preparing around them.

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How to Use This Guide

Ratings reflect general combat and exploration utility across a typical Tales of the Valiant campaign. Higher ratings mean the spell consistently produces outsized value. Lower ratings mean it is too narrow, too replaceable, or too costly for what it delivers.

• ● Avoid this option.
• ● Useful in the right campaign or build, but not reliable in general play.
• ● A solid choice you will not regret.
• ● A top-tier option that can define strong play.

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4th Circle Spells by Source List

Arcane

Available to: Bard, Sorcerer, Theurge, Wizard

Divine

Available to: Cleric, Paladin, Theurge

Primordial

Available to: Druid, Ranger

Wyrd

Available to: Bard, Warlock, Witch, and Wyrd-dipping classes

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5th Circle Spells by Source List

Arcane

Available to: Bard, Sorcerer, Theurge, Wizard

Divine

Available to: Cleric, Paladin, Theurge

Primordial

Available to: Druid, Ranger

Wyrd

Available to: Bard, Warlock, Witch

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Top Spells by Circle

4th Circle Quick Reference

5th Circle Quick Reference

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Best Labyrinth Worldbook 4th and 5th Circle Picks

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Best Player's Guide 2 4th and 5th Circle Picks

Player's Guide 2 Rituals Worth Knowing

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Best Picks by Class

Bard — Bards draw from the Arcane list with access to select Wyrd spells through class mechanics. At 4th circle, greater invisibility is the headline: drop it on your rogue or fighter and step back. Dimension door is your "get out of any situation free" card. At 5th circle, animate objects is genuinely broken in the right setup, and wall of force gives you battlefield control that no martial in your party can replicate. Labyrinth Worldbook adds Spectral Wall and Bladed Wings as useful sourcebook options. Player's Guide 2 adds Otherworldly Orchestra, Psychic Barrage, Loan, and Starbright, with Orchestra being the most Bard-coded spell name in the room and Psychic Barrage being the most mechanically rude. For more on bard spell selection, see the Bard Spell Guide.

Cleric — Death ward at 4th circle is the most impactful pre-fight investment in the game. Cast it on whoever is most likely to die and let the fight happen around that insurance policy. Greater hold at 5th circle is your single best combat option — land it, watch your melee allies stack critical hits, win the fight. Raise dead is the reason you exist after a TPK scare. Maim (The Old Margreve) is real but build-dependent: the vulnerability rider can be devastating, but melee spell attacks are not where most Clerics want to live. Labyrinth Worldbook adds Castigation Glyph for retaliation protection, Spectral Wall for terrain control, and Wield Soul for high-ceiling corpse utility. Player's Guide 2 adds Aura of Mercy, Otherworldly Orchestra, Aura of Order, Feathered Flock, and Lifeblind, giving Clerics better sustained support and more anti-caster defense. For more on cleric spell selection, see the Cleric Spell Guide.

Theurge — Theurge turns 4th and 5th circle into a real dual-list payoff. Banishment, Greater Invisibility, Resilient Sphere, Death Ward, Greater Hold, Wall of Force, and Raise Dead can all live in the same preparation plan. Labyrinth Worldbook is especially strong because Spectral Wall sits on both Arcane and Divine, while Castigation Glyph, Wield Soul, Detonate Metal, and Flash Freeze give the class more ways to choose which side of the list solves the day. Player's Guide 2 is a feast: Acid Rain, Burning Pitch, Freeze Metal, Otherworldly Orchestra, Psychic Barrage, Loan, Aura of Mercy, Aura of Order, Feathered Flock, and Lifeblind are all direct Arcane or Divine options. Theurge eats this buffet with two plates. For more on Theurge spell selection, see the Theurge Spell Guide.

Druid — Polymorph at 4th circle is the premier concentration option. Stoneskin is underused and excellent for the fighter who keeps getting knocked around. The Old Margreve adds storm of wings for movable swarm control and hunting stand / looping trail for ritual-heavy wilderness play. At 5th circle, insect plague is your signature zone control, while conjure fey hound (The Old Margreve), killing fields (The Old Margreve), and Yarila and Porevit's mantle (The Old Margreve) expand the forest campaign toolkit. Labyrinth Worldbook gives Druids Amorphous Form, Empty Rain, Flash Freeze, and Snapping Snare; Snapping Snare is the standout if you want a single spell that grapples, flings, and controls space. Player's Guide 2 adds Acid Rain, Freeze Metal, Feathered Flock, and Sucking Mud Pit; Sucking Mud Pit is the big control prize. For more on druid spell selection, see the Druid Spell Guide.

Paladin — Every paladin should know banishment at 4th circle. With limited slots and a half-caster progression, single-target removal that costs one slot and holds for a minute is exactly what the class needs. Death ward on yourself before a big fight is the other essential. Heart-seeking arrow (The Old Margreve) is good only if your Paladin actually makes ranged or thrown weapon attacks. Labyrinth Worldbook's Castigation Glyph is the most Paladin-shaped sourcebook add because it punishes enemies for attacking into your protected zone. Player's Guide 2 makes Aura of Mercy, Aura of Order, Feathered Flock, and Lifeblind worth checking when your Paladin reaches these circles; Aura of Order is the clean anti-magic pick. For more on paladin spell selection, see the Paladin Spell Guide.

Ranger — Conjure woodland beings at 4th circle is the action economy multiplier rangers need. The Old Margreve adds the Ranger-shaped 4th-circle picks: heart-seeking arrow for ranged burst and storm of wings for flexible control. At 5th circle, primal infusion (The Old Margreve) is the standout weapon buff: temp HP, AC, CON save proficiency, advantage setup, and bonus weapon damage. Conjure fey hound is the cleaner summon, while Yarila and Porevit's mantle is survival flavor unless the campaign is deep wilderness. From Labyrinth Worldbook, Burrow Striker is terrain-dependent but stylish, while Flash Freeze and Snapping Snare are more reliable high-circle control picks. Player's Guide 2 adds Freeze Metal, Fey Song, Tree Thump, Feathered Flock, and Sucking Mud Pit; Feathered Flock is the practical pick, Sucking Mud Pit is the one that makes the map mean something. For more on ranger spell selection, see the Ranger Spell Guide.

Sorcerer — Greater invisibility and polymorph are the 4th circle headliners. Resilient sphere is an elegant single-target shutdown that requires no ongoing attention. At 5th circle, animate objects gives sorcerers their best action-economy turn. Greater hold followed by a quickened spell is one of the most efficient nova rounds available to any class. Labyrinth Worldbook adds Bladed Wings, Detonate Metal, and Flash Freeze. Player's Guide 2 adds Freeze Metal, Otherworldly Orchestra, Psychic Barrage, Loan, and Starbright; Psychic Barrage is the spell to test with Metamagic if your table likes save-pressure turns. For more on sorcerer spell selection, see the Sorcerer Spell Guide.

Warlock — Warlocks at 4th circle should almost always start with banishment (Wyrd list) or black tentacles as their go-to control options. Greater invisibility on themselves before an eldritch blast barrage is terrifying. Storm of wings (The Old Margreve) is the flexible sourcebook alternative, especially when the insect mode can threaten enemy casting. At 5th circle, greater hold into melee-ally follow-up is the highest-damage turn a warlock can set up. Conjure fey hound (The Old Margreve) gives board presence, and maim (The Old Margreve) is a Blade/Reaper trick if your party can exploit weapon vulnerability. Labyrinth Worldbook gives Warlocks Nether Weapon, Detonate Metal, and Conjure Minor Voidborn. Player's Guide 2 adds Spirit Rend, Lifeblind, Loan, Psychic Barrage, Spirit Double, and Starbright; Psychic Barrage and Starbright are the clean winners. For more on warlock spell selection, see the Warlock Spell Guide.

Witch — Witches should read the Wyrd sections as their own list. Banishment, Black Tentacles, Greater Hold, Storm of Wings (The Old Margreve), and Conjure Fey Hound (The Old Margreve) all fit a Witch who wants enemies trapped, punished, or surrounded while Hexes do the setup work. Labyrinth Worldbook adds Nether Weapon, Detonate Metal, and Conjure Minor Voidborn. Player's Guide 2 is the important update: Fey Song, Spirit Rend, Lifeblind, Loan, Psychic Barrage, Rune Tattoo, Spirit Double, and Starbright are all direct Wyrd picks. Psychic Barrage into a follow-up Hex/control turn is the big mechanical prize; Starbright is the easy no-concentration pressure spell. For more on witch spell selection, see the Witch Spell Guide.

Wizard — The widest toolkit and the deepest bench. At 4th circle, resilient sphere is the elegant neutralization option that distinguishes wizard thinking from blaster-brain play. Arcane eye before entering any dungeon is just correct. The Old Margreve adds harry and looping trail, both stronger as campaign tools than combat defaults. At 5th circle, animate objects is the action economy highlight, wall of force is the control centerpiece, and greater hold is the fight-ender. Harrying hounds (The Old Margreve) is not a room-clearing spell, but it is excellent for routing, pursuit, and wilderness pressure. Labyrinth Worldbook adds Spectral Wall, Detonate Metal, Empty Rain, and Flash Freeze. Player's Guide 2 adds Freeze Metal, Otherworldly Orchestra, Create Construct, Loan, Psychic Barrage, and Starbright; Wizards should copy the weird tools and prepare the one that matches the day's dungeon. For more on wizard spell selection, see the Wizard Spell Guide.

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Synergies & Combos

Greater Hold → Melee Advantage Cast greater hold on a high-threat enemy. While paralyzed, the target auto-fails STR and DEX saves. Attacks against it from within 5 feet are automatic critical hits. If your party has two melee characters, you have just converted your 5th circle slot into roughly double the normal damage output for every melee swing until the target saves. This is the highest single-spell damage multiplier available at this tier.

Greater Invisibility → Nova Round Drop greater invisibility on your fighter, barbarian, or rogue. They now attack with advantage on every hit and impose disadvantage on every attack made against them. On a rogue: advantage means sneak attack triggers automatically. On a barbarian with reckless attack: they already had advantage — now enemies have disadvantage on top. The caster spends their concentration, the martial does the work.

Wall of Force → Split Fight Cast wall of force as a hemisphere or flat plane to cut the enemy group in half. Engage one half with your full party while the other half cannot reach you. No save, no concentration needed for the split itself. When the first group is down, drop the wall and clean up. This is basic battlefield geometry, but wall of force is the only 5th circle spell that executes it with zero counterplay available to the enemy.

Banishment → Spike Boss In a boss fight with minions, banishment the boss. Fight the minions with your full party for up to a minute. The boss reappears in the space it left — into an already-weakened enemy formation and a party at full resources. The synergy is with action economy: eliminating the most dangerous target lets your whole party operate without the boss's action structure working against you.

Primal Infusion (The Old Margreve) → Ranger Boss Turn Cast primal infusion before closing with a priority target. With 30 temporary HP, +2 AC, CON save proficiency, attack advantage when an ally is adjacent, and +1d10 weapon damage on hits, the Ranger stops playing like a cautious half-caster and starts playing like a late-game striker. It is concentration, so protect it, but the payoff is one of the cleanest 5th-circle combat buffs in The Old Margreve.

Storm of Wings (The Old Margreve) → Choose the Right Swarm The spell is strongest because it is not one spell in practice. Bats are movement control, birds punish weapon attackers, and insects pressure spellcasters by forcing CON saves when they cast inside the storm. Move the storm as a bonus action and change modes with your action only when the tactical problem changes.

Spectral Wall (Labyrinth Worldbook) → Forced Movement Spectral Wall is not just a line of damage. Push, pull, shove, or compel enemies through it so the wall's difficult terrain, cold/necrotic damage, and fear rider become repeatable pressure.

Detonate Metal (Labyrinth Worldbook) → Metal Setup Detonate Metal is best when the party notices the object first. A dropped weapon, chained gate, iron bell, armor plate, or moved metal hazard can turn a normal room into a 20-foot force burst.

Snapping Snare (Labyrinth Worldbook) → Hazard Fling Snapping Snare can throw grappled creatures. Pair it with wall of fire, spike growth, cliffs, pits, or other persistent hazards and the vine stops being a stationary summon and starts being battlefield leverage.

Starbright (Player's Guide 2) → Concentration Spell Cast your real concentration spell first, then let Starbright spend bonus actions for radiant pressure. The spell is strongest because it does not compete with wall of force, greater hold, polymorph, or black tentacles.

Psychic Barrage (Player's Guide 2) → Save-or-Suck Follow-Up Psychic Barrage is not just damage. The save penalty rider makes the next control spell nastier, whether that follow-up comes from the same Witch, a Theurge, or the party Wizard waiting with a grin and a deeply unhealthy spellbook.

Freeze Metal (Player's Guide 2) → Armored Boss Problem Freeze Metal turns armor and weapons into liabilities. It is not an every-session spell, but when the enemy commander is wrapped in steel, this is how Arcane and Primordial casters make the equipment sheet betray them.

Feathered Flock (Player's Guide 2) → Party Flight Feathered Flock changes the encounter axis for up to five allies. It is not just mobility; it invalidates pits, walls, melee-only monsters, flood rooms, and any villain whose entire plan was "stand on a balcony and monologue safely."

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Hot Takes

Hot Take: At these circles, a spell that changes access, positioning, or enemy participation is often a better default than another damage spell. Banishment, greater hold, wall of force, resilient sphere, and wall of stone are strongest when the encounter gives that control a clear job; otherwise, prepare an option that solves the campaign's more frequent problem.

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Final Notes

At 4th and 5th circle, the useful spell is the one that changes a recurring problem in your campaign. Control spells matter when the encounter geometry gives them work to do; a direct spell can be the better pick when the group needs a fast answer instead.

Compare concentration spells against the rest of your prepared options, not just against their damage. If you expect to use wall of fire, polymorph, or another sustained effect, plan the rest of the turn around protecting it rather than treating it as a free extra resource.

Supplemental choices from Labyrinth Worldbook and Player's Guide 2 can add a useful niche without replacing the core list. Before preparing one, check source access, casting time, concentration, and whether your GM has that book in play.

Choose two or three spells at each tier that you understand well. Know the encounter or exploration problem each solves, the situations where it is too narrow, and when to hold the slot for a later scene.

For earlier-tier coverage, check out the full Tales of the Valiant Spell Guides series:

• Bard Spells
• Cleric Spells
• Druid Spells
• Paladin Spells
• Ranger Spells
• Sorcerer Spells
• Theurge Spells
• Warlock Spells
• Witch Spells
• Wizard Spells

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For the class and circle index, return to the Tales of the Valiant Spell Guides.

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