Scorching Ray

Damage Multi Target

Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

You hurl three fiery rays. You can hurl them at one target within range or at several. Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 Fire damage.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You create one additional ray for each spell slot level above 2.

Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

You create three rays of fire and hurl them at targets within range. You can hurl them at one target or several.

Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 fire damage.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you create one additional ray for each slot level above 2nd.

Scorching Ray 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Both versions create three rays, deal 2d6 fire damage per hit, and allow targeting one or multiple. The 2024 version states "You hurl three fiery rays" explicitly, while the 2014 version says "create three rays of fire." The 2024 version's higher-level effect states "You create one additional ray for each spell slot level above 2," whereas the 2014 version specifies "one additional ray for each slot level above 2nd."

Spells similar to Scorching Ray

  • Eldritch Blast, Evocation cantrip

    Both fire off multiple separate beams that make the spell useful for hitting several foes or stacking hits on one target.

  • Magic Missile, 1st-level evocation

    It launches several discrete missiles at range that can be split among targets, giving the same multi-projectile, single-turn flex the target spell provides.

  • Melf's Acid Arrow, 2nd-level evocation

    This is the same spell level and school and functions as a single-target ranged magical projectile with ongoing damage flavor similar to a ray attack.

  • Ray of Frost, Evocation cantrip

    It’s the same ray-style ranged attack with a single-target hit roll, making it mechanically similar even though it’s a lower-level option.

  • Ice Knife, 1st-level conjuration

    Although it uses a melee-like projectile, it produces a primary hit and a secondary area effect, offering a multi-target damage pattern like casting multiple rays.