Magic Missile
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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
Magic Missile popularity
How popular is Magic Missile? It is one of the most popular spells in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a proven favourite among spellcasters.
- #2 picked level 1 Sorcerer spell
- #2 picked level 1 Wizard spell
- Top 5% of all 5e spells
- Top 10% of all level 1 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Magic Missile
Eldritch Blast Evocation cantrip
Both use instantaneous ranged force projectiles and can direct separate attacks toward multiple creatures.
Players prefer Eldritch Blast over Magic Missile
Scorching Ray 2nd-level evocation
This second-level spell also fires several ranged attacks that can be divided among targets.
Players prefer Scorching Ray over Magic Missile
Chaos Bolt 1st-level evocation
A sorcerer can use it as another first-level ranged attack with instantaneous damage and potential multi-target impact.
Players prefer Magic Missile over Chaos Bolt
Chromatic Orb 1st-level evocation
Its first-level evocation profile and long-range instantaneous damage make it a close alternative, despite its variable damage type.
Players prefer Magic Missile over Chromatic Orb
Laeral's Silver Lance 3rd-level evocation
It shares the evocation school, force damage, and ability to hit several creatures at long range, though it uses a line instead of separate darts.
Players prefer Magic Missile over Laeral's Silver Lance
Jim's Magic Missile 1st-level evocation
It is a first-level evocation that launches multiple force-damage missiles at targets within 120 feet.
Players prefer Magic Missile over Jim's Magic Missile