Otiluke's Freezing Sphere

  • Level & School
    6th-level evocation
  • Casting Time
    Action
  • Range
    300 feet
  • Components
    V, S, M (a miniature crystal sphere)
  • Duration
    Instantaneous
  • Classes
    Sorcerer, Wizard

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 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 slot level above 6.

Otiluke's Freezing Sphere 5e 2024 vs. 2014 edition differences

Both versions deal 10d6 cold damage in a 60-foot radius, with no significant difference. The 2024 version adds "restrained" condition to trapped creatures and specifies "sorcerer" class. The description wording and minor phrasing differ but mechanics remain essentially the same.