Delayed Blast Fireball
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 7th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a ball of bat guano and sulfur)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
A beam of yellow light flashes from you, then condenses at a chosen point within range as a glowing bead for the duration. When the spell ends, the bead explodes, and each creature in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on that point makes a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes Fire damage equal to the total accumulated damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
The spell's base damage is 12d6, and the damage increases by 1d6 whenever your turn ends and the spell hasn't ended.
If a creature touches the glowing bead before the spell ends, that creature makes a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the spell ends, causing the bead to explode. On a successful save, the creature can throw the bead up to 40 feet. If the thrown bead enters a creature's space or collides with a solid object, the spell ends, and the bead explodes.
When the bead explodes, flammable objects in the explosion that aren't being worn or carried start burning.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The base damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 7.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 7th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a tiny ball of bat guano and sulfur)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
A beam of yellow light flashes from your pointing finger, then condenses to linger at a chosen point within range as a glowing bead for the duration. When the spell ends, either because your concentration is broken or because you decide to end it, the bead blossoms with a low roar into an explosion of flame that spreads around corners. Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes fire damage equal to the total accumulated damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The spell's base damage is 12d6. If at the end of your turn the bead has not yet detonated, the damage increases by 1d6.
If the glowing bead is touched before the interval has expired, the creature touching it must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the spell ends immediately, causing the bead to erupt in flame. On a successful save, the creature can throw the bead up to 40 feet. When it strikes a creature or a solid object, the spell ends, and the bead explodes.
The fire damages objects in the area and ignites flammable objects that aren't being worn or carried.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 8th level or higher, the base damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 7th.
Delayed Blast Fireball 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Delayed Blast Fireball popularity
How popular is Delayed Blast Fireball? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- Top 50% picked level 7 Wizard spell
- Top 50% picked level 7 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% of all level 7 spells
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Delayed Blast Fireball
Fireball 3rd-level evocation
It is the same classes' iconic long-range fire explosion, using a Dexterity save against area damage.
Players prefer Fireball over Delayed Blast Fireball
Fire Storm 7th-level evocation
Both are high-level evocations that devastate multiple creatures with ranged fire damage over a broad area.
Players prefer Fire Storm over Delayed Blast Fireball
Meteor Swarm 9th-level evocation
It shares the explosive meteor theme, evocation school, fire damage, and large-area destruction, though at a higher level.
Players prefer Delayed Blast Fireball over Meteor Swarm
Incendiary Cloud 8th-level conjuration
This also creates a powerful, long-range fire hazard that can damage groups while rewarding careful placement.
Players prefer Delayed Blast Fireball over Incendiary Cloud
Melf's Minute Meteors 3rd-level evocation
The concentration-based spell delivers repeated fire explosions and gives the caster strong control over when areas are bombarded.
Players prefer Delayed Blast Fireball over Melf's Minute Meteors
Otiluke's Freezing Sphere 6th-level evocation
Despite its different damage type, this long-range high-level spell also centers on a powerful delayed-style area explosion affecting many creatures.
Players prefer Delayed Blast Fireball over Otiluke's Freezing Sphere