Heat Metal

A
Damage

Heat Metal is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that superheats metal, burning foes and using
bonus action pressure

Heat Metal is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

See all Action Economy spells →
 to keep enemies dropping their gear.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a piece of iron and a flame)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Druid

Choose a manufactured metal object, such as a metal weapon or a suit of Heavy or Medium metal armor, that you can see within range. You cause the object to glow red-hot. Any creature in physical contact with the object takes 2d8 Fire damage when you cast the spell. Until the spell ends, you can take a Bonus Action on each of your later turns to deal this damage again if the object is within range.

If a creature is holding or wearing the object and takes the damage from it, the creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or drop the object if it can. If it doesn't drop the object, it has Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the start of your next turn.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 2.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a piece of iron and a flame)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Druid

Choose a manufactured metal object, such as a metal weapon or a suit of heavy or medium metal armor, that you can see within range. You cause the object to glow red-hot. Any creature in physical contact with the object takes 2d8 fire damage when you cast the spell. Until the spell ends, you can use a bonus action on each of your subsequent turns to cause this damage again.

If a creature is holding or wearing the object and takes the damage from it, the creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or drop the object if it can. If it doesn't drop the object, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the start of your next turn.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 2nd.

Heat Metal 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Now the repeat damage on later turns only works if the metal object is within range. Otherwise, the spell works the same.

Heat Metal popularity

Heat Metal is a commonly chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Heat Metal

  • Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration

    Both are 2nd-level spells that create ongoing fire damage you can direct each round while maintaining concentration.

  • Spiritual Weapon 2nd-level evocation

    It’s another 2nd-level spell that provides a persistent damage option you use each round with a bonus-action attack.

  • Witch Bolt 1st-level evocation

    Witch Bolt deals sustained single-target damage on subsequent turns through concentration, mirroring Heat Metal’s repeat-damage feel.

  • Call Lightning 3rd-level conjuration

    This spell offers repeated, ranged damage over a concentration duration where you call down strikes each turn, similar tactically to Heat Metal’s repeated harm.

  • Flame Blade 2nd-level evocation

    Both are druid-accessible, concentration fire-based options that produce a weapon-like source of damage you keep active for multiple rounds.