Hail of Thorns
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Bonus action, which you take immediately after hitting a creature with a Ranged weapon
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Ranger
As you hit the creature, this spell creates a rain of thorns that sprouts from your Ranged weapon or ammunition. The target of the attack and each creature within 5 feet of it make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 1d10 Piercing damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 1.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Bonus action, which you take immediately after hitting a creature with a Ranged weapon
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Ranger
The next time you hit a creature with a ranged weapon attack before the spell ends, this spell creates a rain of thorns that sprouts from your ranged weapon or ammunition. In addition to the normal effect of the attack, the target of the attack and each creature within 5 feet of it must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 1d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st (to a maximum of 6d10).
Hail of Thorns 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Hail of Thorns popularity
Hail of Thorns is one of the rarest level 1 spells in the game. Choosing it will set you apart from all other casters.
- Bottom 10% level 1 Ranger spell
Spells similar to Hail of Thorns
Lightning Arrow 3rd-level transmutation
It converts a ranger's ranged attack into an area-effect strike that deals extra damage around the target, very close in function and purpose.
Conjure Barrage 3rd-level conjuration
This ranger spell creates a shower of ammunition from your position that hits a target and nearby creatures, matching the same thematic and tactical role at a higher level.
Ice Knife 1st-level conjuration
It deals direct damage to a target and then explodes to damage creatures nearby with a Dexterity save for half, mirroring the hit-plus-AoE-with-save pattern.
Ensnaring Strike 1st-level conjuration
Like Hail of Thorns, it modifies a ranger's weapon attack as a personal buff that triggers on hit, applying an additional effect centered on the struck target.
Cordon of Arrows 2nd-level transmutation
This ranger option creates arrow-based damage that affects multiple targets and can be placed to punish foes, sharing the arrow/area-damage theme and ranger focus.