Ray of Frost
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- Evocation cantrip
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
A frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 Cold damage, and its Speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d8 when you reach levels 5 (2d8), 11 (3d8), and 17 (4d8).
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- Evocation cantrip
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
A frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 cold damage, and its speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
Cantrip Upgrade. The spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
Ray of Frost 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Ray of Frost popularity
How popular is Ray of Frost? It is one of the most popular spells in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may not be the most inspiring but may still be useful.
- Top 10% of all 5e spells
- Top 50% picked Wizard cantrip
- Top 50% picked Sorcerer cantrip
- Bottom 50% of all cantrips
Spells similar to Ray of Frost
Eldritch Blast Evocation cantrip
Another long-range damage cantrip built around one or more attack rolls, used as a reliable go-to attack from a distance.
Players prefer Eldritch Blast over Ray of Frost
Scorching Ray 2nd-level evocation
Works as a ray-based evocation that uses multiple ranged spell attacks to deal elemental damage, scaling the single-ray concept up.
Players prefer Scorching Ray over Ray of Frost
Fire Bolt Evocation cantrip
A same-class cantrip that makes a ranged spell attack to deal elemental damage and fills the same basic damage-dealer niche.
Players prefer Fire Bolt over Ray of Frost
Chill Touch Necromancy cantrip
A cantrip that deals damage with a secondary mechanical effect on the target, offering a similar damage-plus-debuff design.
Players prefer Ray of Frost over Chill Touch
Ray of Sickness 1st-level necromancy
A named 'ray' spell with a similar range and offensive focus that also imposes a harmful secondary effect on hit.
Players prefer Ray of Frost over Ray of Sickness