Flame Blade
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Bonus action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M (a sumac leaf)
- Duration
- Concentration, 10 minutes
- Classes
- Druid, Sorcerer
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You evoke a fiery blade in your free hand. The blade is similar in size and shape to a scimitar, and it lasts for the duration. If you let go of the blade, it disappears, but you can evoke it again as a Bonus Action.
As a Magic action, you can make a melee spell attack with the fiery blade. On a hit, the target takes Fire damage equal to 3d6 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.
The flaming blade sheds Bright Light in a 10-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 10 feet.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 2.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Bonus action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M (leaf of sumac)
- Duration
- Concentration, 10 minutes
- Classes
- Druid, Sorcerer
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You evoke a fiery blade in your free hand. The blade is similar in size and shape to a scimitar, and it lasts for the duration. If you let go of the blade, it disappears, but you can evoke the blade again as a bonus action.
You can use your action to make a melee spell attack with the fiery blade. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 fire damage.
The flaming blade sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for every two slot levels above 2nd.
Flame Blade 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
How popular is Flame Blade in 5e?
Flame Blade is the #61 most popular level 2 spell (of 96) and the #17 most picked level 2 Sorcerer spell (of 50).
Among level 2 spells, Flame Blade ranks just below Melf's Acid Arrow and just above Borrowed Knowledge in popularity.
- #246 (of 567) most popular 5e spell
- #61 (of 96) most popular level 2 spell
- #17 (of 50) most picked level 2 Sorcerer spell
- #16 (of 32) most picked level 2 Druid spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Flame Blade
Shillelagh Transmutation cantrip
Like Flame Blade, this spell turns a held weapon into a spellcasting-focused melee option for a druid.
Players prefer Shillelagh over Flame Blade
Produce Flame Conjuration cantrip
Both are druid-accessible fire effects that persist for several minutes and provide a practical light source alongside combat damage.
Players prefer Produce Flame over Flame Blade
Heat Metal 2nd-level transmutation
The spells share second-level fire damage, concentration, and a sustained combat payoff rather than a single instantaneous hit.
Players prefer Heat Metal over Flame Blade
Elemental Weapon 3rd-level transmutation
It enhances a weapon with elemental damage for an extended concentration-based combat effect, and druids and sorcerers overlap with Flame Blade's users.
Players prefer Elemental Weapon over Flame Blade
Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration
This is another second-level concentration spell that delivers recurring fire damage while demanding ongoing combat actions.
Players prefer Flame Blade over Flaming Sphere
Shadow Blade 2nd-level illusion
Both create a temporary magical melee weapon that requires concentration and uses subsequent actions to attack.
Players prefer Flame Blade over Shadow Blade