Melf's Acid Arrow

Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (powdered rhubarb leaf)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Wizard

A shimmering green arrow streaks toward a target within range and bursts in a spray of acid. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d4 Acid damage and 2d4 Acid damage at the end of its next turn. On a miss, the arrow splashes the target with acid for half as much of the initial damage only.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage (both initial and later) increases by 1d4 for each spell slot level above 2.

Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (powdered rhubarb leaf and an adder's stomach)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Wizard

A shimmering green arrow streaks toward a target within range and bursts in a spray of acid. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d4 acid damage immediately and 2d4 acid damage at the end of its next turn. On a miss, the arrow splashes the target with acid for half as much of the initial damage and no damage at the end of its next turn.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage (both initial and later) increases by 1d4 for each slot level above 2nd.

Melf's Acid Arrow 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Both versions are essentially the same mechanically. The 2024 version clarifies that on a miss, the splash damage is only half of the initial damage, with no additional damage at the end of the next turn. Damage increases by 1d4 per slot level above 2nd in both.

Spells similar to Melf's Acid Arrow

  • Poison Spray

    Both require a ranged spell attack and deal damage from a specific damage type, with Poison Spray using Poison damage.

  • Ray of Sickness

    Similar in that both require a ranged spell attack, and deal damage with ongoing effects related to their damage type.

  • Cloud of Daggers

    Both deal area damage shortly after casting and have significant effects on creatures that enter the area.

  • Chromatic Orb

    Both are ranged spells that require an attack roll and allow the caster to choose damage type.

  • Acid Splash

    Both are acid spells that affect multiple targets, although Acid Splash has a different area of effect.