Melf's Acid Arrow

A
Damage

Melf's Acid Arrow is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that hurls a green acid arrow, bursting on impact and leaving a lingering burn.

2024 Rules
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.

2014 Rules
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

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

Melf's Acid Arrow popularity

How popular is Melf's Acid Arrow? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.

Spells similar to Melf's Acid Arrow