Chromatic Orb

  • Level & School
    1st-level evocation
  • Casting Time
    Action
  • Range
    90 feet
  • Components
    V, S, M (a diamond worth 50+ GP)
  • Duration
    Instantaneous
  • Classes
    Sorcerer, Wizard

You hurl an orb of energy at a target within range. Choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, or Thunder for the type of orb you create, and then make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 damage of the chosen type. If you roll the same number on two or more of the d8s, the orb leaps to a different target of your choice within 30 feet of the target. Make an attack roll against the new target, and make a new damage roll. The orb can't leap again unless you cast the spell with a level 2+ spell slot.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 1. The orb can leap a maximum number of times equal to the level of the slot expended, and a creature can be targeted only once by each casting of this spell.

Chromatic Orb 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version introduces the orb leaping to a new target if two or more d8s roll the same number, with a limit on leaps based on spell slot level. It also clarifies the orb cannot leap again unless cast at 2nd level or higher. The damage increase per slot remains the same.