Control Flames
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- Transmutation cantrip
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- S
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Classes
- Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You choose nonmagical flame that you can see within range and that fits within a 5-foot cube. You affect it in one of the following ways:
- You instantaneously expand the flame 5 feet in one direction, provided that wood or other fuel is present in the new location.
- You instantaneously extinguish the flames within the cube.
- You double or halve the area of bright light and dim light cast by the flame, change its color, or both. The change lasts for 1 hour.
- You cause simple shapes—such as the vague form of a creature, an inanimate object, or a location—to appear within the flames and animate as you like. The shapes last for 1 hour.
If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three non-instantaneous effects created by it active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.
Control Flames 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Control Flames is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Control Flames popularity
How popular is Control Flames? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 25% picked Wizard cantrip
- Bottom 25% of all cantrips
- Bottom 25% picked Sorcerer cantrip
- Bottom 25% picked Druid cantrip
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Control Flames
Prestidigitation Transmutation cantrip
This cantrip also does lots of tiny, flavor-heavy tricks that change the appearance or feel of something for a short time.
Players prefer Prestidigitation over Control Flames
Minor Illusion Illusion cantrip
Like Control Flames, it can create brief visual effects that help with tricks, distractions, and scene dressing.
Players prefer Minor Illusion over Control Flames
Light Evocation cantrip
Both spells play with illumination, making it easy to brighten, dim, or otherwise alter what a fire or object is doing visually.
Players prefer Light over Control Flames
Dancing Lights Illusion cantrip
It has the same kind of simple magical visual manipulation and is often used to create a scene rather than deal damage.
Players prefer Dancing Lights over Control Flames
Shape Water Transmutation cantrip
It’s the closest cousin in both theme and mechanics, letting you manipulate a basic natural element in small, flexible ways.
Players prefer Shape Water over Control Flames