Ice Storm

Damage Battlefield ShapingMulti Target

Level & School
4th-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
300 feet
Components
V, S, M (a mitten)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard

Hail falls in a 20-foot-radius, 40-foot-high Cylinder centered on a point within range. Each creature in the Cylinder makes a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 2d10 Bludgeoning damage and 4d6 Cold damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Hailstones turn ground in the Cylinder into Difficult Terrain until the end of your next turn.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The Bludgeoning damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 4.

Level & School
4th-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
300 feet
Components
V, S, M (a pinch of dust and a few drops of water)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard

A hail of rock-hard ice pounds to the ground in a 20-foot radius, 40-foot high cylinder centered on a point within range. Each creature in the cylinder must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 2d8 bludgeoning damage and 4d6 cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Hailstones turn the storm's area of effect into difficult terrain until the end of your next turn.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the bludgeoning damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 4th.

Ice Storm 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version increases bludgeoning damage from 2d8 to 2d10 and damage per slot level from 1d8 to 1d10. The description simplifies wording but retains the same effect. No other significant mechanical differences are present.

Spells similar to Ice Storm

  • Vitriolic Sphere, 4th-level evocation

    A same-level evocation that deals area damage from range and functions as a go-to offensive spell for sorcerers and wizards.

  • Wall of Fire, 4th-level evocation

    Matches Ice Storm's level and blends substantial area damage with a persistent zone that shapes movement and battlefield positioning.

  • Cone of Cold, 5th-level evocation

    A high-damage cold-themed evocation that targets multiple creatures in an area and fills the same tactical niche against groups.

  • Otiluke's Freezing Sphere, 6th-level evocation

    A longer-range, multi-target cold evocation that also alters the battlefield and scales with spell level like Ice Storm.

  • Sleet Storm, 3rd-level conjuration

    Not primarily a damage spell, but it creates a wintry area that hinders movement and control in the same way Ice Storm's difficult terrain does.