Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 300 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a miniature crystal sphere)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
A frigid globe streaks from you to a point of your choice within range, where it explodes in a 60-foot-radius Sphere. Each creature in that area makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 10d6 Cold damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
If the globe strikes a body of water, it freezes the water to a depth of 6 inches over an area 30 feet square. This ice lasts for 1 minute. Creatures that were swimming on the surface of frozen water are trapped in the ice and have the Restrained condition. A trapped creature can take an action to make a Strength (Athletics) check against your spell save DC to break free.
You can refrain from firing the globe after completing the spell's casting. If you do so, a globe about the size of a sling bullet, cool to the touch, appears in your hand. At any time, you or a creature you give the globe to can throw the globe (to a range of 40 feet) or hurl it with a sling (to the sling's normal range). It shatters on impact, with the same effect as a normal casting of the spell. You can also set the globe down without shattering it. After 1 minute, if the globe hasn't already shattered, it explodes.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 6.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 300 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a small crystal sphere)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
A frigid globe of cold energy streaks from your fingertips to a point of your choice within range, where it explodes in a 60-foot-radius sphere. Each creature within the area must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 10d6 cold damage. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage.
If the globe strikes a body of water or a liquid that is principally water (not including water-based creatures), it freezes the liquid to a depth of 6 inches over an area 30 feet square. This ice lasts for 1 minute. Creatures that were swimming on the surface of frozen water are trapped in the ice. A trapped creature can use an action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC to break free.
You can refrain from firing the globe after completing the spell, if you wish. A small globe about the size of a sling stone, cool to the touch, appears in your hand. At any time, you or a creature you give the globe to can throw the globe (to a range of 40 feet) or hurl it with a sling (to the sling's normal range). It shatters on impact, with the same effect as the normal casting of the spell. You can also set the globe down without shattering it. After 1 minute, if the globe hasn't already shattered, it explodes.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 6th.
Otiluke's Freezing Sphere 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Otiluke's Freezing Sphere popularity
How popular is Otiluke's Freezing Sphere? It is one of the rarest spells in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell is for the most unconventional spellcasters only.
- Bottom 50% picked level 6 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 25% picked level 6 Wizard spell
- Bottom 25% of all level 6 spells
- Bottom 10% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Fireball 3rd-level evocation
Mechanically, both launch a projectile to a distant point that explodes in a broad sphere for immediate area damage.
Players prefer Fireball over Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Chain Lightning 6th-level evocation
The two spells share the sorcerer and wizard lists, 6th-level power, instantaneous damage, and strong multi-target impact.
Players prefer Chain Lightning over Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Circle of Death 6th-level necromancy
This is another 6th-level spell that instantly damages numerous creatures in a large sphere from considerable range.
Players prefer Circle of Death over Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Cone of Cold 5th-level evocation
It deals cold damage instantly to many creatures, though its large area projects as a cone instead of a sphere.
Players prefer Cone of Cold over Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Ice Storm 4th-level evocation
Both are long-range cold-based area attacks that can shape the battlefield, with Ice Storm adding bludgeoning damage.
Players prefer Ice Storm over Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Wall of Ice 6th-level evocation
Its cold damage and substantial ice-based battlefield alteration closely echo the freezing and water-manipulation aspects of Freezing Sphere.
Players prefer Wall of Ice over Otiluke's Freezing Sphere