Chromatic Orb
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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
Chromatic Orb popularity
How popular is Chromatic Orb? 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 50% picked level 1 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% of all level 1 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Chromatic Orb
Sorcerous Burst Evocation cantrip
The spells share a broad menu of selectable damage types and are available to sorcerers.
Players prefer Sorcerous Burst over Chromatic Orb
Scorching Ray 2nd-level evocation
Both let a sorcerer or wizard make multiple ranged attack rolls for immediate damage.
Players prefer Scorching Ray over Chromatic Orb
Magic Missile 1st-level evocation
Each spell is a 1st-level ranged damage option that can distribute attacks among multiple targets.
Players prefer Magic Missile over Chromatic Orb
Chaos Bolt 1st-level evocation
It is a 1st-level ranged attack that deals a randomly chosen elemental type and can jump between nearby targets.
Players prefer Chaos Bolt over Chromatic Orb
Ice Knife 1st-level conjuration
This 1st-level spell combines a ranged attack with instantaneous cold damage and a secondary hit on nearby creatures.
Players prefer Chromatic Orb over Ice Knife
Jim's Magic Missile 1st-level evocation
Its wizard-focused design similarly delivers several immediate ranged projectiles against chosen targets.
Players prefer Chromatic Orb over Jim's Magic Missile