Sunburst
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 8th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (piece of sunstone)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
Brilliant sunlight flashes in a 60-foot-radius Sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Each creature in the Sphere makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 12d6 Radiant damage and has the Blinded condition for 1 minute. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage only.
A creature Blinded by this spell makes another Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
This spell dispels Darkness in its area that was created by any spell.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 8th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (fire and a piece of sunstone)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
Brilliant sunlight flashes in a 60-foot radius centered on a point you choose within range. Each creature in that light must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 12d6 radiant damage and is blinded for 1 minute. 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.
A creature blinded by this spell makes another Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a successful save, it is no longer blinded.
This spell dispels any darkness in its area that was created by a spell.
Sunburst 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Sunburst popularity
How popular is Sunburst? 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 50% of all level 8 spells
- Top 50% picked level 8 Druid spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 8 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 8 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 25% picked level 8 Cleric spell
Spells similar to Sunburst
Sunbeam 6th-level evocation
It is a radiant evocation that blinds and damages repeatedly in an area, making it the closest lower-level analogue to this spell.
Holy Star of Mystra 8th-level evocation
A high-level radiant evocation that produces ongoing area damage from a magical light source and fits the same cleric/wizard spellcasting niche.
Meteor Swarm 9th-level evocation
A top-tier evocation that deals massive multi-target area damage at long range, matching this spell’s role as a big battlefield nuke.
Incendiary Cloud 8th-level conjuration
An eighth-level area-damage spell that shapes the battlefield over multiple rounds and threatens many foes at once like this spell does.
Prismatic Spray 7th-level evocation
A multi-target evocation with varied high-impact effects (including blinding among others) that serves a similar tactical purpose in big encounters.