Destructive Wave

A
Damage

Destructive Wave is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that unleashes a deadly shockwave, striking
multiple creatures

Destructive Wave 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 blasting them with thunder and radiant or necrotic force while knocking them prone.

2024 Rules
Level & School
5th-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Paladin

Destructive energy ripples outward from you in a 30-foot Emanation. Each creature you choose in the Emanation makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a target takes 5d6 Thunder damage and 5d6 Radiant or Necrotic damage (your choice) and has the Prone condition. On a successful save, a target takes half as much damage only.

2014 Rules
Level & School
5th-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self (30-foot radius)
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Paladin

You strike the ground, creating a burst of divine energy that ripples outward from you. Each creature you choose within 30 feet of you must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 5d6 thunder damage, as well as 5d6 radiant or necrotic damage (your choice), and be knocked prone. A creature that succeeds on its saving throw takes half as much damage and isn’t knocked prone.

Destructive Wave 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Effectively the same spell. The 2024 version is reworded but functions identically.

Destructive Wave popularity

Destructive Wave is a seldom chosen level 5 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Destructive Wave

  • Cone of Cold 5th-level evocation

    A fifth-level evocation you cast from yourself that deals heavy area damage to multiple targets and offers a save for half damage, matching its role and power level closely.

  • Flame Strike 5th-level evocation

    Also a fifth-level area-damage evocation that mixes damage types and is chosen when you want a powerful, single-action burst against groups of enemies.

  • Jallarzi's Storm of Radiance 5th-level evocation

    A fifth-level radiant-themed evocation that damages multiple targets in an area over time and appeals to similar tactical use against clustered foes.

  • Synaptic Static 5th-level enchantment

    This fifth-level spell is an instant multi-target damage effect with a save for reduced impact, making it mechanically comparable as an AOE damage option at the same slot level.

  • Cloudkill 5th-level conjuration

    Although it persists, Cloudkill is a fifth-level multi-target damage spell that shapes the battlefield and pressures groups of enemies in much the same scenarios.