Cordon of Arrows

A
Damage

Cordon of Arrows is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that turns planted ammunition into a hidden trap, striking
multiple foes

Cordon of Arrows 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 →
 and forcing
Dexterity saves

Cordon of Arrows is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

See all Save or Suck spells →
.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (an ornamental braid)
Duration
8 hours
Classes
Ranger

You touch up to four nonmagical Arrows or Bolts and plant them in the ground in your space. Until the spell ends, the ammunition can't be physically uprooted, and whenever a creature other than you enters a space within 30 feet of the ammunition for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there, one piece of ammunition flies up to strike it. The creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d4 Piercing damage. The piece of ammunition is then destroyed. The spell ends when none of the ammunition remains planted in the ground. When you cast this spell, you can designate any creatures you choose, and the spell ignores them.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The amount of ammunition that can be affected increases by two for each spell slot level above 2.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
5 feet
Components
V, S, M (four or more arrows or bolts)
Duration
8 hours
Classes
Ranger

You plant four pieces of nonmagical ammunition – arrows or crossbow bolts – in the ground within range and lay magic upon them to protect an area. Until the spell ends, whenever a creature other than you comes within 30 feet of the ammunition for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there, one piece of ammunition flies up to strike it. The creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 piercing damage. The piece of ammunition is then destroyed. The spell ends when no ammunition remains.

When you cast this spell, you can designate any creatures you choose, and the spell ignores them.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the amount of ammunition that can be affected increases by two for each slot level above 2nd.

Cordon of Arrows 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Range changed from 5 feet to Touch, and the damage changed from 1d6 piercing to 2d4 piercing. The ammunition is now explicitly planted in your space and can’t be physically uprooted while the spell lasts.

Cordon of Arrows popularity

Cordon of Arrows is one of the rarest level 2 spells in the game. Choosing it will set you apart from all other casters.

Spells similar to Cordon of Arrows

  • Guardian of Faith 4th-level conjuration

    It creates a persistent guardian that automatically damages creatures when they enter its area, much like planted ammo that strikes intruders over time.

  • Spike Growth 2nd-level transmutation

    Both are low‑level ranger‑available ground effects that persist and punish creatures for moving through or ending their turn in a zone.

  • Glyph of Warding 3rd-level abjuration

    This spell sets a triggered effect that activates when a creature enters or interacts with an area, echoing the trap‑like behavior of planted ammunition.

  • Alarm 1st-level abjuration

    While nonlethal, Alarm is similar in being a long‑lasting, touch‑placed ward that reacts when creatures enter its radius, sharing the same tactical use of area monitoring.

  • Hail of Thorns 1st-level conjuration

    As a ranger spell that turns ranged attacks into multiple, automatic strikes, it matches the theme of using ammunition to hit multiple targets at once.