What’s the one spell that actually makes a lethifold think twice before charging at you?
If you’ve ever stared down a floating, six‑armed horror in a dim dungeon and felt your magic points melt away, you know the feeling. The short answer is Dispel Evil and Good—the only spell that, when cast correctly, can push a lethifold back and give you a fighting chance.
But why does that one spell work when every other “repel” incantation falls flat? And how can you make the most of it in a real‑world (well, tabletop) encounter? Let’s dig into the lore, the mechanics, and the practical tricks that turn that single spell into a lifesaver.
What Is a Lethifold
A lethifold isn’t your garden‑variety gelatinous cube. Picture a translucent, disc‑shaped entity that hovers a few feet off the ground, its six long, whip‑like tendrils lashing out like a sea anemone on steroids. In most editions it’s an aberration—a creature born from the chaotic magic that seeps through the multiverse’s cracks Practical, not theoretical..
Origin and Lore
The first mention of lethifolds appears in the Planar Handbook (or the equivalent sourcebook, depending on edition). They’re said to be the byproducts of failed planar experiments—essentially magical waste that gained sentience. Their bodies are composed of a semi‑solid, oily slime that can shift shape, allowing them to squeeze through tiny openings No workaround needed..
Game Statistics (Quick Reference)
- Size: Medium
- Type: Aberration
- Alignment: Chaotic Evil
- Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
- Hit Points: 84 (8d8 + 48)
- Speed: 0 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
- Special Traits: Damage‑absorbing slime, Lethal Tendrils (reach 10 ft., 2d6 slashing), Mimicry (can imitate sounds)
The key thing to remember is that a lethifold’s damage‑absorbing slime makes it resistant to many physical attacks, while its tendrils can grapple you from a distance. That’s why a simple “turn‑away” spell rarely does the trick.
Why It Matters / Why People Care
You might wonder why anyone cares about a single spell for a single monster. The answer is simple: lethifolds are surprisingly common in high‑level dungeons that revolve around planar breaches or ancient wizard towers.
The Real‑World Impact
In practice, a party that runs into a lethifold without a plan can lose a member in a single round. The creature’s tendrils can grapple, its slime can sap spell slots, and its mimicry can lure unsuspecting allies into traps.
When a party’s wizard or cleric pulls out Dispel Evil and Good, the lethifold is forced to make a Constitution saving throw. Day to day, fail, and it’s pushed 30 feet away, its tendrils retract, and the slime’s magical resistance is temporarily suppressed. That’s the difference between a night of loot and a night of mourning Most people skip this — try not to..
You'll probably want to bookmark this section.
What Happens When You Miss It
If you try a generic “protective field” spell—like Shield or Sanctuary—the lethifold still latches on because those spells don’t affect its magical essence. Even Banishment fails unless you have a higher‑level slot and the creature’s true name, which most parties don’t know.
Not obvious, but once you see it — you'll see it everywhere.
So, knowing the one spell that actually repels a lethifold can save you not just hit points, but also precious time and resources Small thing, real impact..
How It Works (or How to Do It)
Alright, let’s get into the nuts and bolts. Here’s a step‑by‑step guide to using Dispel Evil and Good (or its equivalent in your edition) to push a lethifold away.
1. Understand the Spell’s Core
- Level: 5th‑level abjuration (cleric, paladin, and some wizard lists)
- Casting Time: 1 action
- Range: 60 feet
- Components: V, S, M (holy water or a silvered weapon)
- Duration: Instantaneous
The spell’s description says: “Choose one creature you can see within range. The creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be turned for 1 minute.” For a lethifold, the “turned” effect translates to a forced movement away from you—essentially a repulsion Worth knowing..
Worth pausing on this one.
2. Prepare the Material Component
Most players skip the material component and hope the DM forgets. Don’t. A vial of holy water or a silvered dagger is cheap, and it prevents the DM from ruling “you can’t cast it because you don’t have the component.” Keep a small pouch of holy water in your adventurer’s kit.
3. Positioning is Key
The spell’s range is 60 feet, but the lethifold’s tendrils reach 10 feet. If you’re too close, you risk being grappled before the spell resolves. Ideally, stand 15–20 feet away, give yourself a clear line of sight, and have an ally ready to follow up with melee attacks once the creature is pushed back Simple, but easy to overlook..
4. Timing the Cast
You want to cast Dispel Evil and Good as soon as the lethifold appears. But its first turn is its most dangerous—tendrils can grapple two targets simultaneously. A quick reaction (or an initiative tie) can mean the difference between a clean repulsion and a messy grapple.
5. The Saving Throw
The lethifold makes a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. If you’re a cleric with Divine Favor or a wizard with Arcane Ward, your DC is higher, making failure more likely.
Tip: Use Guidance or Bless on yourself before combat to boost that roll—every point counts.
6. What Happens on a Failure
- The lethifold is pushed 30 feet directly away from you.
- Its damage‑absorbing slime is suppressed for 1 minute, making it vulnerable to normal weapon damage.
- Tendrils retract, giving you a clean window for melee or ranged attacks.
7. Follow‑Up Actions
Now that the creature is vulnerable, hit it with a magic weapon or a spell that deals radiant damage (the lethifold’s weakness). A Guiding Bolt or a Flame Blade works wonders while the slime suppression is active Which is the point..
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
Even seasoned players slip up on this one. Here are the pitfalls you’ll want to avoid Not complicated — just consistent..
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Spell
People often assume any “repel” spell will work. Which means Turn Undead won’t affect a lethifold because it’s not undead. Protection from Evil and Good is defensive, not repulsive. The only spell that explicitly forces the creature away is Dispel Evil and Good (or its variant Banishment when you have the true name, which is rare).
No fluff here — just what actually works It's one of those things that adds up..
Mistake #2: Forgetting the Component
A DM who’s strict about material components will simply say “you can’t finish the spell.” Keep that holy water handy.
Mistake #3: Casting Too Late
If you wait until the lethifold’s tendrils have already latched on, the “forced movement” part of the spell can’t free you. The creature is already holding you, and many DMs rule that the spell can’t move a grappled target Surprisingly effective..
Mistake #4: Ignoring Concentration
If you’re already concentrating on something—say, Spirit Guardians—you can’t cast Dispel Evil and Good without dropping the first spell. Plan your round; sometimes it’s worth ending a concentration early to get the repulsion That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Mistake #5: Underestimating the Saving Throw
A high‑level lethifold may have a decent Constitution save. Don’t rely on a single cast; have a backup plan (like a ready action with Shield or a teammate ready to cast Hold Person).
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
Here’s the cheat sheet you can copy into your character notes.
- Always Carry Holy Water – A single vial lasts a whole adventuring day and doubles as a minor healing item.
- Buff Your Save DC – Bless, Guidance, or a temporary Arcane Insight (if you’re a wizard) before combat.
- Pre‑Position – When you suspect a lethifold encounter (e.g., in a planar breach area), stay at the edge of the room, not in the middle.
- Ready a Backup Spell – Have Shield or Sanctuary as a ready action in case the first cast fails.
- Coordinate with Melee – A fighter or barbarian should be ready to move in as soon as the lethifold is pushed back.
- Exploit the Suppressed Slime – Switch to radiant damage weapons (holy swords, sun blades) while the slime is suppressed; the creature takes double damage.
- Mark the Spot – If you can, mark the area where you cast the spell with a Glyph of Warding (damage type radiant). The lethifold will trigger it again if it tries to return.
These aren’t fluff; they’re the little adjustments that turn a “maybe we survive” scenario into a “we dominate” one.
FAQ
Q: Can a sorcerer cast Dispel Evil and Good?
A: Yes, if they have the Divine Soul or Aberrant Mind origin that grants access to the spell, or if they take it via a feat like Magic Initiate.
Q: Does the spell work on a lethifold that’s already grappled?
A: Most DMs rule that the forced movement part can break a grapple, but the creature must still fail its saving throw. If you’re already restrained, you might need to use Freedom of Movement first Small thing, real impact..
Q: What if the lethifold has a true name?
A: If you know it, Banishment works as an alternative, but the true name is rarely found in standard loot. It’s more reliable to stick with Dispel Evil and Good Not complicated — just consistent..
Q: Does the spell affect multiple lethifolds at once?
A: No, the spell targets a single creature. You’ll need to cast it again for each additional lethifold, or use a Mass version if your class offers one (e.g., Mass Dispel Evil and Good at higher levels).
Q: Is the spell available to paladins?
A: Paladins get it at 9th level (or 5th level in some subclasses). If you’re a paladin, you can also use Divine Smite on the suppressed lethifold for massive damage.
When a lethifold drifts into your party’s line of sight, the first thing you should think about isn’t “how many attacks do I have?Worth adding: ” but “do I have Dispel Evil and Good ready? ” It’s a single, five‑level spell that does what a dozen “repel” abilities can’t—force the creature away and strip its magical slime armor.
So next time you hear that sickening, slime‑splash sound echo down a corridor, remember the tip: holy water, a quick incantation, and a well‑placed push. Your party will thank you, and that dreaded six‑armed horror will think twice before coming back. Happy adventuring!
