Upcasting

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