[RPG] cast Warding Bond on theself

dnd-5espellstargeting

Is it legal to target myself with Warding Bond?

It would be great to have +1 to saves and AC for 1 hour without concentration.

Best Answer

Note: This answer was originally based on a tweet by Jeremy Crawford, who used to be considered an authorized source for DnD 5e rule clarifications over Twitter. This is no longer the case. Official rulings are only those listed in the Sage Advice Compendium, and other tweets by Crawford are simply advice. The old answer shouldn't be of much interest but you can find it in this post's edit history.

The rest of this answer, save for the heading, is written by KorvinStarmast, who graciously gave me the permission to copy his answer over mine so the highest voted answer is proper. Now, without further ado:

Warding bond cannot be used on oneself

BLUF: Requiring two creatures (a caster and a target) is implied in the components element of the spell description, and is made explicit by the use of the plural "either of the connected creatures" later in the spell description.

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a pair of platinum rings worth at least 50 gp each, which you and the target must wear for the duration)

The italicized text implies two creatures - a caster and a target - each wearing a platinum ring, but it does not state that explicitly in this part of the spell description.

This spell wards a willing creature you touch and creates a mystic connection between you and the target until the spell ends.

"A willing creature" isn't necessarily only "another willing creature," so one could argue that the caster is "a willing creature" who can touch his/her self. That said, the second half of the sentence implies two parties being involved: the caster and a target. The spell

... creates a mystic connection between you and the target until the spell ends.

  • "You create a mystic connection with yourself"

    is not the same statement as

  • "you create a mystic connection between you and {any other different creature than you.}"

The "general rule" arguments about spell targets, self spells, and touch spells seems to have raised its head again. (See a previous discussion on Paladin Smite spells).

Two parties being involved is the common sense / common usage / plain English reading of this spell description.

While the target is within 60 feet of you, it gains a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws, and it has resistance to all damage.

We see a second and a third person usage, implying the presence of another creature other than the caster.

Also, each time it takes damage, you take the same amount of damage.

"You take damage" and "it takes damage": second person and third person references. Two different persons, to different creatures are damaged.

The spell ends if you drop to 0 hit points or if you and the target become separated by more than 60 feet.

The caster reaching a zero-hit-point condition ending a spell is common result. That is neither a pro nor con element for this question. Outside of edge case magical effects from other spells, their own 'specific over general' you can't be separated from yourself. This description no sense other than for the case of two separate creatures being involved.

It also ends if the spell is cast again on either of the connected creatures. You can also dismiss the spell as an action.

Creatures, plural. Two creatures, a caster and a target who needs to be touched while wearing the appropriate platinum ring.

What was implied in previous language is specified at the end of the spell description. "Either" obviously refers to more than one party/creature.

Conclusion:

By reading the specifics of the spell description, the spell requires two creatures, each wearing the appropriate platinum ring, one touching the other, and both staying within 60' of each other for up to an hour for the spell to provide the damage reduction to recipient of this spell, as well as the AC and Saving throw bonuses.

No, you can't cast this spell on yourself because it requires two creatures, each wearing that platinum ring, to create the spell effect.