Tidal Wave
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of water)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You conjure up a wave of water that crashes down on an area within range. The area can be up to 30 feet long, up to 10 feet wide, and up to 10 feet tall. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 4d8 bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and isn't knocked prone. The water then spreads out across the ground in all directions, extinguishing unprotected flames in its area and within 30 feet of it, and then it vanishes.
Tidal Wave 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Tidal Wave is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Tidal Wave popularity
How popular is Tidal Wave? 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.
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% of all level 3 spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 3 Druid spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Tidal Wave
Fireball 3rd-level evocation
Even though the damage type is different, it fills the same tactical niche as a classic mid-level ranged area blast for sorcerers and wizards.
Players prefer Fireball over Tidal Wave
Ice Storm 4th-level evocation
This also strikes a broad area at the same level and can punish clustered enemies while altering the battlefield a bit.
Players prefer Ice Storm over Tidal Wave
Thunderwave 1st-level evocation
Both are short-range bursts that jolt multiple creatures with a save and can knock enemies around.
Players prefer Thunderwave over Tidal Wave
Erupting Earth 3rd-level transmutation
It’s the closest match: a 3rd-level area blast for druid, sorcerer, and wizard that hits a zone with a save and leaves the ground changed afterward.
Watery Sphere 4th-level conjuration
It shares the water theme, the conjuration school, and the same class access, and it’s another spell that controls a patch of the fight.
Players prefer Tidal Wave over Watery Sphere