Pulse Wave
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self (30-foot cone)
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Wizard
- Source
- Explorer's Guide to Wildemount
You create intense pressure, unleash it in a 30-foot cone, and decide whether the pressure pulls or pushes creatures and objects. Each creature in that cone must make a Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 6d6 force damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. And every creature that fails the save is either pulled 15 feet toward you or pushed 15 feet away from you, depending on the choice you made for the spell.
In addition, unsecured objects that are completely within the cone are likewise pulled or pushed 15 feet.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 and the distance pulled or pushed increases by 5 feet for each slot level above 3rd.
Pulse Wave 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Pulse Wave is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Pulse Wave popularity
How popular is Pulse Wave? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and it is almost never chosen when available. This spell is one that few spellcasters would ever acquire.
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 25% picked level 3 Wizard spell
- Bottom 10% of all level 3 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Pulse Wave
Conjure Barrage 3rd-level conjuration
Its force damage fills a cone and hits multiple creatures at third level, though it lacks Pulse Wave's explicit push-or-pull choice.
Players prefer Conjure Barrage over Pulse Wave
Thunderwave 1st-level evocation
Both are instantaneous self-originating area blasts that damage nearby creatures and forcibly move failed targets.
Players prefer Thunderwave over Pulse Wave
Erupting Earth 3rd-level transmutation
The spell is a third-level area damage option that alters positioning and terrain rather than simply harming one target.
Players prefer Erupting Earth over Pulse Wave
Tidal Wave 3rd-level conjuration
At the same spell level, this instantaneous area attack combines substantial damage with battlefield displacement potential.
Players prefer Tidal Wave over Pulse Wave
Gravity Sinkhole 4th-level evocation
This wizard spell deals force damage to multiple creatures while pulling them toward a point, closely matching Pulse Wave's damage-and-repositioning effect.
Players prefer Gravity Sinkhole over Pulse Wave
Gravity Fissure 6th-level evocation
It shares the force damage, wizard access, and ability to reshape a fight by moving or disrupting creatures in a broad area.
Players prefer Pulse Wave over Gravity Fissure