Chaos Bolt
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.
- Top 50% picked level 1 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 10% of all level 1 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Chaos Bolt
Scorching Ray 2nd-level evocation
Both spells are sorcerer-friendly offensive options that let you throw multiple damaging attacks at enemies from far away.
Players prefer Scorching Ray over Chaos Bolt
Magic Missile 1st-level evocation
It fills a similar early-game niche as a reliable ranged damage spell, even though it trades accuracy rolls for automatic hits.
Players prefer Magic Missile over Chaos Bolt
Chromatic Orb 1st-level evocation
It is the closest match: a 1st-level sorcerer spell that hurls a single targeted blast and lets you choose the damage type.
Players prefer Chromatic Orb over Chaos Bolt
Witch Bolt 1st-level evocation
Like Chaos Bolt, it starts with a ranged spell attack against one creature and can keep dealing damage after the first hit.
Players prefer Chaos Bolt over Witch Bolt
Melf's Acid Arrow 2nd-level evocation
This is another low-level single-target blast with a ranged spell attack, so it plays very similarly in combat.
Players prefer Chaos Bolt over Melf's Acid Arrow