Burning Hands
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self (15-foot cone)
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
A thin sheet of flames shoots forth from you. Each creature in a 15-foot Cone makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 Fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Flammable objects in the Cone that aren't being worn or carried start burning.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 1.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self (15-foot cone)
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
As you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers spread, a thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your outstretched fingertips. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The fire ignites any flammable objects in the area that aren't being worn or carried.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.
Burning Hands 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Burning Hands popularity
How popular is Burning Hands? It is one of the most popular spells in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a proven favourite among spellcasters.
- Top 10% of all 5e spells
- Top 25% picked level 1 Wizard spell
- Top 25% picked level 1 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% of all level 1 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Burning Hands
Fireball 3rd-level evocation
The spells serve the same purpose of quickly hitting several enemies with fire, though Fireball has much greater range and power.
Players prefer Fireball over Burning Hands
Thunderwave 1st-level evocation
Both are first-level evocations cast from the self to damage nearby groups instantly.
Players prefer Burning Hands over Thunderwave
Ice Knife 1st-level conjuration
It is another first-level, instantaneous spell that can damage multiple creatures with an elemental attack.
Players prefer Burning Hands over Ice Knife
Aganazzar's Scorcher 2nd-level evocation
It is a low-level evocation that deals fire damage to multiple creatures in a close area.
Players prefer Burning Hands over Aganazzar's Scorcher
Color Spray 1st-level illusion
Its self-centered 15-foot cone closely matches Burning Hands' area and tactical use against clustered enemies, but it incapacitates rather than deals damage.
Players prefer Burning Hands over Color Spray
Frost Fingers 1st-level evocation
This has the same 15-foot cone shape and instantaneous area damage, differing mainly in its cold damage type.
Players prefer Burning Hands over Frost Fingers