Chaos Bolt

A
Damage

Chaos Bolt is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
spell that hurls chaotic energy at a foe and may leap to
multiple creatures

Chaos Bolt is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
,
unleashing shifting elemental harm.

2014 Rules

Level & School
1st-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer
Source
Xanathar's Guide to Everything

You hurl an undulating, warbling mass of chaotic energy at one creature in range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 + 1d6 damage. Choose one of the d8s. The number rolled on that die determines the attack's damage type, as shown below.

Chaos Bolt

d8 Damage Type
1 Acid
2 Cold
3 Fire
4 Force
5 Lightning
6 Poison
7 Psychic
8 Thunder

If you roll the same number on both d8s, the chaotic energy leaps from the target to a different creature of your choice within 30 feet of it. Make a new attack roll against the new target, and make a new damage roll, which could cause the chaotic energy to leap again.

A creature can be targeted only once by each casting of this spell.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, each target takes 1d6 extra damage of the type rolled for each slot level above 1st.

Chaos Bolt 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Chaos Bolt is currently only available in the 2014 edition.

Chaos Bolt popularity

How popular is Chaos Bolt? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Chaos Bolt