Dragon's Breath

A
Damage

Dragon's Breath is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that lets one creature exhale elemental fury in a cone, striking
multiple foes

Dragon's Breath 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 →
 with acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (a hot pepper)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

You touch one willing creature, and choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison. Until the spell ends, the target can take a Magic action to exhale a 15-foot Cone. Each creature in that area makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 damage of the chosen type on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 2.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (a hot pepper)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

You touch one willing creature and imbue it with the power to spew magical energy from its mouth, provided it has one. Choose acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. Until the spell ends, the creature can use an action to exhale energy of the chosen type in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 damage of the chosen type on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.

Dragon's Breath 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

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

Dragon's Breath popularity

Dragon's Breath is a commonly chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Dragon's Breath

  • Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration

    Both create a persistent, concentration-dependent source of area damage you can direct each round to hurt multiple enemies.

  • Cloud of Daggers 2nd-level conjuration

    Like the target spell, this makes a short-duration area that repeatedly punishes creatures who enter or stay in it while you maintain concentration.

  • Call Lightning 3rd-level conjuration

    Although higher level, it provides repeated area damage over a sustained period and is chosen for battlefield control and multi-target damage.

  • Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration

    This spell deals ongoing area damage each round around a creature while you concentrate, serving a similar role of sustained multi-target offense.

  • Scorching Ray 2nd-level evocation

    It’s an immediate multi-target damage option that, like Dragon's Breath at low levels, lets a caster deliver several instances of elemental damage in one turn.