Magic Missile
- Level & School
- 1st-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart strikes a creature of your choice that you can see within range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 Force damage to its target. The darts all strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The spell creates one more dart for each spell slot level above 1.
- Level & School
- 1st-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its target. The darts all strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the spell creates one more dart for each slot level above 1st.
Magic Missile 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Both versions create 3 darts dealing 1d4+1 force damage each, striking simultaneously, and can target multiple creatures. The 2024 version states "The spell creates one more dart for each spell slot level above 1," while the 2014 version says "when you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the spell creates one more dart." The core mechanics are essentially the same.
Spells similar to Magic Missile
Scorching Ray, 2nd-level evocation
It creates multiple rays you can split between targets and scales by slot level, like casting extra darts with a single action.Eldritch Blast, Evocation cantrip
A multi-beam ranged option that can hit several creatures and functions as a reliable, repeatable damage spell without area placement.Ice Knife, 1st-level conjuration
It attacks a single creature and then affects nearby foes, combining focused hits with additional multi-target damage in one casting.Chromatic Orb, 1st-level evocation
A 1st-level evocation that delivers focused elemental damage at range and is commonly chosen as a reliable single-target offensive option.Ray of Frost, Evocation cantrip
A ranged evocation ray cantrip that serves as a simple, consistent single-target damage option for the same caster types.