Ice Storm
2024 Rules
- 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.
2014 Rules
- 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
Ice Storm popularity
How popular is Ice Storm? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- Top 25% picked level 4 Druid spell
- Top 50% of all level 4 spells
- Top 50% picked level 4 Wizard spell
- Top 50% picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
Spells similar to Ice Storm
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.
Players prefer Wall of Fire over Ice Storm
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.
Players prefer Cone of Cold over Ice Storm
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.
Players prefer Otiluke's Freezing Sphere over 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.
Players prefer Ice Storm over Vitriolic Sphere
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.
Players prefer Ice Storm over Sleet Storm