Upcasting

Upcasting is when a spellcaster chooses to use a higher level spell slot to cast a lower level spell.

Overview

Many spells gain additional damage dice, a larger area of effect, allow for more targets, or are otherwise improved when upcast, though some spells gain no additional benefit other than the fact that they are treated as a higher level spell.

Because the Warlock's Pact Magic feature always grants spell slots at their highest known spell level, lower level spells are always upcast to that level, with the exception of lower-level spell slots gained from other sources.

Cantrips do not use spell slots, although damage dealing cantrips grow more powerful as a character gains levels. Typically, Upon reaching character levels 5 and 10, an additional damage die is added (or, in the case of  Eldritch Blast, an additional beam is added). This is automatic: a spellcaster cannot choose to cast a cantrip as if they were of lower level. While not technically upcasting, it is a similar enough process to be included here.

List of spells that benefit from upcasting

Name	Level		Cast time	Duration	Range/Area	Attack/Save	Damage/Effect
Animal Friendship	1		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Armour of Agathys	1		+	Until long rest	Self	-	5⁠Cold
Arms of Hadar	1		+	1 turn	Self  3 m (10 ft) Radius	STR Save	2d6⁠Necrotic
Bane (spell)	1		+	10 turns	9 m (30 ft)	CHA Save	-
Bless	1		+	10 turns	9 m (30 ft)	-	-
Burning Hands	1		+	-	Self  5 m (17 ft) Cone	DEX Save	3d6⁠Fire
Charm Person	1		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Chromatic Orb	1		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Chromatic Orb: Acid	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	2d8⁠Acid
Chromatic Orb: Cold	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	2d8⁠Cold
Chromatic Orb: Fire	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	2d8⁠Fire
Chromatic Orb: Lightning	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	2d8⁠Lightning
Chromatic Orb: Poison	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	2d8⁠Poison
Chromatic Orb: Thunder	1		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	3d8⁠Thunder
Colour Spray	1		+	1 turn	Self  5 m (17 ft) Cone	-	-
Command	1		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Command: Approach	1		+	1 turn	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Command: Drop	1		+	1 turn	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Command: Flee	1		+	1 turn	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Command: Grovel	1		+	1 turn	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Command: Halt	1		+	1 turn	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Create or Destroy Water	1		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	-	-
Create Water	1		+	3 turns	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	-	-
Cure Wounds	1		+	-	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	1d8 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Healing
Destroy Water	1		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	-	-
Dissonant Whispers	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	3d6⁠Psychic
Ensnaring Strike	1		+ +	10 turns	-	STR Save	Normal weapon damage 1d6⁠Piercing
Ensnaring Strike (Melee)	1		+ +	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	STR Save	Normal weapon damage 1d6⁠Piercing
Ensnaring Strike (Ranged)	1		+ +	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	STR Save	Normal weapon damage 1d6⁠Piercing
False Life	1		+	Until long rest	Self	-	-
Fog Cloud	1		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)  4.5 m (15 ft) Radius	-	-
Guiding Bolt	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	4d6⁠Radiant
Hail of Thorns	1		+ +	-	18 m (60 ft)  2 m (7 ft) Radius	DEX Save	Normal weapon damage 1d10⁠Piercing
Healing Word	1		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d4 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Healing
Hellish Rebuke	1		+	-	-	-	2d10⁠Fire
Heroism	1		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Ice Knife	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)  2 m (7 ft) Radius	DEX Save	1d10⁠Piercing 2d6⁠Cold
Inflict Wounds	1		+	-	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	3d10⁠Necrotic
Longstrider	1		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Luminous Arrow	1			-	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Radiant
Magic Missile	1		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d4 + 1⁠Force 1d4 + 1⁠Force 1d4 + 1⁠Force
Ray of Sickness	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	CON Save	2d8⁠Poison
Searing Smite	1		+ +	10 turns	Weapon Range	-	Normal weapon damage 1d6⁠Fire 1d6⁠Fire
Sleep	1		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Thunderwave	1		+	-	1.5 m (5 ft)  5 m (17 ft) Cube	CON Save	2d8⁠Thunder
Witch Bolt	1		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d12⁠Lightning
Aid	2		+	Until long rest	Self  9 m (30 ft) Radius	-	-
Bear's Endurance	2		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Blindness	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	CON Save	-
Branding Smite	2		+ +	10 turns	Weapon Range	-	Normal weapon damage 2d6⁠Radiant
Branding Smite (Melee)	2		+ +	10 turns	Weapon Range	-	Normal weapon damage 2d6⁠Radiant
Branding Smite (Ranged)	2		+ +	10 turns	Weapon Range	-	Normal weapon damage 2d6⁠Radiant
Bull's Strength	2		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Cat's Grace	2		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Cloud of Daggers	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	4d4⁠Slashing
Eagle's Splendour	2		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Enhance Ability	2		+	-	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Flame Blade	2		+	10 turns	Self	-	-
Flaming Sphere	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)  2 m (7 ft) Radius	DEX Save	2d6⁠Fire
Fox's Cunning	2		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Heat Metal	2		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	CON Save	2d8⁠Fire
Heat Metal: Reapply Damage	2			-	18 m (60 ft)	CON Save	2d8⁠Fire
Hold Person	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Invisibility (spell)	2		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Magic Weapon	2		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Melf's Acid Arrow	2		+	1 turn	18 m (60 ft)	-	4d4⁠Acid 2d4⁠Acid
Moonbeam	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)  1 m (3 ft) Radius	CON Save	2d10⁠Radiant
Move Moonbeam	2			-	18 m (60 ft)  1 m (3 ft) Radius	CON Save	2d10⁠Radiant
Murderous Cloud of Daggers	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	6d4⁠Piercing
Owl's Wisdom	2		+	Until long rest	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Prayer of Healing	2		+	-	Self  9 m (30 ft) Radius	-	2d8 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Healing
Scorching Ray	2		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	2d6⁠Fire 2d6⁠Fire 2d6⁠Fire
Shadow Blade	2		+	Until long rest	Self	-	2d8 + Strength or Dexterity modifier⁠Psychic
Shatter	2		+	-	18 m (60 ft)  3 m (10 ft) Radius	CON Save	3d8⁠Thunder
Spiritual Weapon	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Force
Spiritual Weapon: Greataxe	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Force
Spiritual Weapon: Greatsword	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Force
Spiritual Weapon: Halberd	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Force
Spiritual Weapon: Maul	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Force
Spiritual Weapon: Spear	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Force
Spiritual Weapon: Trident	2		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Force
Activate Call Lightning	3			-	18 m (60 ft)  2 m (7 ft) Radius	DEX Save	3d10⁠Lightning
Animate Dead	3		+	-	3 m (10 ft)	-	-
Bestow Curse	3		+	-	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Additional Damage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	1d8⁠Necrotic
Bestow Curse: Attack Disadvantage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Charisma Disadvantage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Constitution Disadvantage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Dexterity Disadvantage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Dread	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Intelligence Disadvantage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Strength Disadvantage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Bestow Curse: Wisdom Disadvantage	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	WIS Save	-
Call Lightning	3		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)  2 m (7 ft) Radius	DEX Save	3d10⁠Lightning
Call of the Crustacean	3		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Conjure Barrage	3		+	-	Self  9 m (30 ft) Cone	DEX Save	Normal weapon damage 2d8⁠Weapon
Conjure Barrage: Melee Weapon	3		+	-	Self  9 m (30 ft) Cone	DEX Save	Normal weapon damage 2d8⁠Weapon
Conjure Barrage: Ranged Weapon	3		+	-	Self  9 m (30 ft) Cone	DEX Save	Normal weapon damage 2d8⁠Weapon
Counterspell	3		+	-	-	-	-
Elemental Weapon	3		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Acid	3		+	Until long rest	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Cold	3		+	Until long rest	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Fire	3		+	Until long rest	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Lightning	3		+	Until long rest	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Thunder	3		+	Until long rest	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Fireball	3		+	-	18 m (60 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	8d6⁠Fire
Fireball (Cazador)	3		+	-	18 m (60 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	10d6⁠Fire
Glyph of Warding	3		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	-
Glyph of Warding: Acid	3		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	5d8⁠Acid
Glyph of Warding: Cold	3		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	5d8⁠Cold
Glyph of Warding: Fire	3		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	5d8⁠Fire
Glyph of Warding: Lightning	3		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	5d8⁠Lightning
Glyph of Warding: Thunder	3		+	-	9 m (30 ft)  4 m (13 ft) Radius	DEX Save	5d8⁠Thunder
Grant Flight	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	-
Lightning Arrow	3		+	-	18 m (60 ft)  3 m (10 ft) Radius	DEX Save	4d8⁠Lightning 2d8⁠Lightning
Lightning Bolt	3		+	-	Self  30 m (100 ft) Line	DEX Save	8d6⁠Lightning
Mass Healing Word	3		+	-	Self  18 m (60 ft) Radius	-	1d4 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Healing
Spirit Guardians	3		+	10 turns	Self  3 m (10 ft) Radius	WIS Save	-
Spirit Guardians (Necrotic)	3		+	10 turns	Self  3 m (10 ft) Radius	WIS Save	3d8⁠Necrotic
Spirit Guardians (Radiant)	3		+	10 turns	Self  3 m (10 ft) Radius	WIS Save	3d8⁠Radiant
Vampiric Touch	3		+	10 turns	1.5 m (5 ft)	-	3d6⁠Necrotic
Banishment	4		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)	CHA Save	-
Blight	4		+	-	9 m (30 ft)	CON Save	8d8⁠Necrotic
Confusion	4		+	3 turns	18 m (60 ft)  6 m (20 ft) Radius	WIS Save	-
Ice Storm	4		+	2 turns	18 m (60 ft)  6 m (20 ft) Radius	DEX Save	2d8⁠Bludgeoning 4d6⁠Cold
Phantasmal Killer	4		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	4d10⁠Psychic
Wall of Fire	4		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	DEX Save	5d8⁠Fire
Cloudkill	5		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	-	5d8⁠Poison
Cone of Cold	5		+	-	Self  9 m (30 ft) Cone	CON Save	8d8⁠Cold
Conjure Elemental	5		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	-
Flame Strike	5		+	-	18 m (60 ft)  3 m (10 ft) Radius	DEX Save	5d6⁠Fire 5d6⁠Radiant
Hold Monster	5		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)	WIS Save	-
Insect Plague	5		+	10 turns	18 m (60 ft)  6 m (20 ft) Radius	CON Save	4d10⁠Piercing
Mass Cure Wounds	5		+	-	18 m (60 ft)	-	3d8 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Healing
Infernal Salve	6			-	18 m (60 ft)	-	3d6⁠Healing