Maelstrom
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 5th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (paper or leaf in the shape of a funnel)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Druid
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
A swirling mass of 5-foot-deep water appears in a 30-foot radius centered on a point you can see within range. The point must be on the ground or in a body of water. Until the spell ends, that area is difficult terrain, and any creature that starts its turn there must succeed on a Strength saving throw or take 6d6 bludgeoning damage and be pulled 10 feet toward the center.
Maelstrom 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Maelstrom is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Maelstrom popularity
How popular is Maelstrom? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- Top 50% picked level 5 Druid spell
- Bottom 25% of all level 5 spells
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Maelstrom
Call Lightning 3rd-level conjuration
Like Maelstrom, it is a druid concentration spell that repeatedly damages multiple creatures across a sustained area.
Players prefer Call Lightning over Maelstrom
Insect Plague 5th-level conjuration
Both are 5th-level druid spells that maintain a large damaging area for several rounds.
Players prefer Maelstrom over Insect Plague
Evard's Black Tentacles 4th-level conjuration
It combines a concentration-based damaging zone with difficult movement and repeated saving throws against a bludgeoning effect.
Players prefer Maelstrom over Evard's Black Tentacles
Tidal Wave 3rd-level conjuration
As another druid water spell, it deals area bludgeoning damage while shaping the battlefield around its impact.
Players prefer Maelstrom over Tidal Wave
Storm Sphere 4th-level evocation
This concentration spell creates a persistent storm zone that deals bludgeoning damage to groups at range.
Players prefer Maelstrom over Storm Sphere
Whirlwind 7th-level evocation
The spell is a higher-level version of a sustained, large-area bludgeoning effect that disrupts enemy positioning.
Players prefer Maelstrom over Whirlwind