Chromatic Orb

A
Damage

Chromatic Orb is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that hurls a shifting elemental orb, striking one foe and leaping to
nearby enemies

Chromatic Orb 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 →
 for spreading destruction.

2024 Rules
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.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a diamond worth at least 50 gp)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

You hurl a 4-inch-diameter sphere of energy at a creature that you can see within range. You 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. If the attack hits, the creature takes 3d8 damage of the type you chose.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

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

The 2024 version adds the orb-leap mechanic: if two or more d8s match, it can jump to a different target within 30 feet of the last one, with a new attack roll and new damage roll. On upcast, it can leap multiple times, up to the slot level, and each creature can be targeted only once per casting.

Chromatic Orb popularity

Chromatic Orb is a commonly chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Chromatic Orb

  • Scorching Ray 2nd-level evocation

    It creates multiple ranged magical attacks of an elemental flavor and is often chosen for single-target or split damage like Chromatic Orb.

  • Ice Knife 1st-level conjuration

    This 1st-level sorcerer/wizard spell throws a cold projectile that can hit a target and then affect others, mirroring Chromatic Orb's single-attack-then-spread behavior.

  • Magic Missile 1st-level evocation

    Although it auto-hits instead of using an attack roll, it is a 1st-level arcane spell that deals split force damage across one or more targets in a similar tactical role.

  • Fire Bolt Evocation cantrip

    As a straightforward ranged spell attack for sorcerers and wizards, it plays the same basic single-target damage role at a weaker scale than Chromatic Orb.

  • Ray of Frost Evocation cantrip

    This cantrip is another elemental ranged spell attack available to the same classes and is frequently used as a low-level alternative to Chromatic Orb.