# The Cataclysm
*[vessel](vessel.md): Sealed Spirit*
*Source: The Vessel p. 6*
> [!tldr] Class and Feature Progression
>
> <table class="class-progression">
> <thead>
> <tr><th colspan='3'></th></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><th class"level">Level</th><th class"pb">PB</th><th class"feature">Features</th></tr>
> </thead><tbody>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">1st</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">2nd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">3rd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#The Cataclysm (Level 3)' class='internal-link'>The Cataclysm</a></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">4th</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">5th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">6th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Elder Power (Level 6)' class='internal-link'>Elder Power</a></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">7th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">8th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">9th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">10th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">11th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">12th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">13th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">14th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Elemental Eruption (Level 14)' class='internal-link'>Elemental Eruption</a></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">15th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">16th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">17th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">18th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Cataclysm Reborn (Level 18)' class='internal-link'>Cataclysm Reborn</a></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">19th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">20th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr>
> </tbody></table>
^class-progression
## Class Features
### The Cataclysm (Level 3)
At the dawn of the multiverse, elemental forces ran wild. Great beings of pure Air, Earth, Fire, and Water ravaged through the material plane, shaping it to their frivolous and destructive will. These primordial elementals and elder genies were banished from the material plane, but are always seeking to return. When they threaten mortal realms, great forces bind these elder elemental beings to mortal hosts, holding back the Cataclysm for a time.
### Elemental Affinity (Level 3)
Within you is bound an elder elemental Spirit of great power. Choose the element from the list below that best represents that of your Spirit. This choice grants you Affinity with, and resistance to certain damage type, as shown on the table:
**Elemental Affinity Table**
| Air | Earth | Fire | Water |
|-----|-------|------|-------|
| thunder | bludgeoning | fire | cold |
^elemental-affinity-table
Your Elemental Affinity also determines the statblock you use for your Archon Form, which are found on the next page.
### Cataclysm Magic (Level 3)
You also learn certain spells at the Vessel levels below. They are Vessel spells for you, but they do not count against your number of Spells Known, and they cannot be replaced.
Spells on the first table are shared by Cataclysm Vessels of all Elemental Affinities. The second spell you gain at the Vessel levels listed below is determined by your Elemental Affinity, and are listed by Element on the tables below.
Finally, you can choose for your Iridescent Strikes to deal your Affinity damage type on hit, which is always magical.
| Vessel Level | Spells |
|--------------|--------|
| 3rd | absorb elements |
| 5th | elemental blade |
| 9th | [fly](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/fly-xphb.md) |
| 13th | [summon elemental (affinity type only)](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/summon-elemental-xphb.md) |
| 17th | [bigby's hand](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/bigbys-hand-xphb.md) |
^vessel-level-spells
| Vessel Level | Air Spells | Earth Spells |
|--------------|------------|--------------|
| 3rd | beckon air, [thunderwave](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/thunderwave-xphb.md) | mold earth (alternate), earth tremor |
| 5th | dust devil | [spike growth](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/spike-growth-xphb.md) |
| 9th | sonic wave | erupting earth |
| 13th | storm sphere | accursed touch |
| 17th | control winds | [wall of stone](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/wall-of-stone-xphb.md) |
^vessel-level-air-spells-earth-spells
| Vessel Level | Fire Spells | Water Spells |
|--------------|-------------|--------------|
| 3rd | control flame (alternate), [hellish rebuke](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/hellish-rebuke-xphb.md) | shape water (alternate), torrent |
| 5th | [flaming sphere](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/flaming-sphere-xphb.md) | [misty step](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/misty-step-xphb.md) |
| 9th | [fireball](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/fireball-xphb.md) | tidal wave |
| 13th | [wall of fire](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/wall-of-fire-xphb.md) | watery sphere |
| 17th | [flame strike](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/flame-strike-xphb.md) | maelstrom |
^vessel-level-fire-spells-water-spells
### Cataclysm Archon (Level 3)
You can take on a form of pure elemental power, wreathed in storms, flames, stone, or waves. When you transform into your Archon Form, you use the Cataclysm Archon stat block below that corresponds to the Elemental Affinity you chose at 3rd level:
| | |
|----|----|
| > [!embed-monster]- Air Archon<br />>  | > [!embed-monster]- Fire Archon<br />>  |
| > [!embed-monster]- Earth Archon<br />>  | > [!embed-monster]- Water Archon<br />>  |
### Elder Power (Level 6)
Your elemental Spirit infuses you with its ancient destructive powers. Whenever you deal Affinity damage, you can treat a roll of 1 or 2 on any of the damage dice you roll as a 3.
You are also immune to any Affinity damage dealt by your Vessel spells while your Spirit Mantle is active. The Archon's Elder Elemental feature does not bypass this immunity.
### Elemental Eruption (Level 14)
As an action, you can cause a 15-foot diameter, 60-foot high, pillar of raw elemental power to erupt from a point you can see within 30 feet, forcing creatures in that area to make a Dexterity saving throw. They take 8d6 Affinity damage on a failure, and half as much on a successful save.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all of your expended uses when you finish a long rest.
### Cataclysm Reborn (Level 18)
You wield the full power of your primordial Cataclysm. When you are in your Archon Form you gain the following benefits:
- You assume the true appearance of your Cataclysm.
- The weather in a 1-mile radius surrounding you subtly changes to reflect your primordial elemental influence.
- You can use your Elemental Eruption action at will.