Sunbeam
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self (60-foot line)
- Components
- V, S, M (a magnifying glass)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You launch a sunbeam in a 5-foot-wide, 60-foot-long Line. Each creature in the Line makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 6d8 Radiant damage and has the Blinded condition until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage only.
Until the spell ends, you can take a Magic action to create a new Line of radiance.
For the duration, a mote of brilliant radiance shines above you. It sheds Bright Light in a 30-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 30 feet. This light is sunlight.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self (60-foot line)
- Components
- V, S, M (a magnifying glass)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
A beam of brilliant light flashes out from your hand in a 5-foot-wide, 60-foot-long line. Each creature in the line must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 6d8 radiant damage and is blinded until your next turn. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage and isn't blinded by this spell. Undead and oozes have disadvantage on this saving throw.
You can create a new line of radiance as your action on any turn until the spell ends.
For the duration, a mote of brilliant radiance shines in your hand. It sheds bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. This light is sunlight.
Sunbeam 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Sunbeam popularity
How popular is Sunbeam? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Top 10% of all level 6 spells
- Top 50% picked level 6 Wizard spell
- Top 50% picked level 6 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 6 Druid spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 6 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Sunbeam
Moonbeam 2nd-level evocation
It is a concentration-based radiant spell that repeatedly damages multiple creatures as you reposition or recreate its area.
Players prefer Moonbeam over Sunbeam
Call Lightning 3rd-level conjuration
Although it deals lightning damage, it similarly uses concentration and repeated actions to strike several creatures over multiple rounds.
Players prefer Call Lightning over Sunbeam
Blade Barrier 6th-level evocation
The same-level evocation creates a lasting area that can damage groups and shape where enemies are willing to move.
Players prefer Blade Barrier over Sunbeam
Sunburst 8th-level evocation
It shares the radiant damage theme, evocation school, overlapping class lists, and strong group-damaging purpose, though its effect is instantaneous.
Players prefer Sunbeam over Sunburst
Dawn 5th-level evocation
Both are mid-to-high-level radiant effects that last for a minute and let you spend later actions to keep harming groups.
Players prefer Sunbeam over Dawn
Wall of Light 5th-level evocation
This concentration spell combines sustained radiant damage against multiple targets with a persistent battlefield effect.
Players prefer Sunbeam over Wall of Light