Grease 5e is a spell that thrives when Dungeon Masters allow their players to use their knowledge of real-world physics to their advantage. Solid surfaces are coated in a layer of smooth grease under a grease spell. A successful Reflex save is required by every creature in the area when the spell is cast. On your turn each round that the creature remains within the area, this save is frequent.

In the presence of this grease, each creature stands in its own area, and they must succeed in a Dexterity saving throw or they will fall prone. A creature that enters the area and completes its turn means that it must also succeed on a deftness saving throw or it may fall prone.

Using the delight, you can also create an oily coating on an item. Material objects not in use, however, are always precious by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature requires a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. A failed saving throw results in the item being dropped immediately. In each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item, a saving chuck must be made.

There is a small number of DMs who want to eliminate any spell that does anything other than deal damage. This is not something I agree with, and I find playing a D&D game that has no damaging spells but damage dealers less enjoyable. To me, reducing all spells to just seems cheap, and I prefer the broader strategic options in play.

The fighter and ranger rushed toward the beast as it struggled to gain its footing, tackling it like linebackers and sliding it across the grease-slick cave floor like a hockey puck. Warriors skidded to a halt at the edge of the cliff, and the mighty hydra careened off, roaring and snapping, and tumbled to the ground below. After the creature survived but couldn’t scale the cliff, the party exchanged well done and continued through the dungeon content with a job well done.

When used correctly, grease can be a powerful tool, but it also has some serious limitations, making it difficult to fully utilize it. There are a few disadvantages to be aware of  learning or preparing grease, all of which are situational disadvantages that require you to do some research and exploration before preparing grease on any given adventuring day.