Magic Missile

A
Damage

Magic Missile is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that launches glowing force darts at one foe or
multiple targets

Magic Missile is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
, striking instantly with pinpoint accuracy.

2024 Rules
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.

2014 Rules
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

Effectively the same spell. The 2024 version is reworded but functions identically.

Magic Missile popularity

Magic Missile is a commonly chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

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.

Magic Missile is featured in