Vitriolic Sphere
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of bile)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You point at a location within range, and a glowing, 1-foot-diameter ball of acid streaks there and explodes in a 20-foot-radius Sphere. Each creature in that area makes a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 10d4 Acid damage and another 5d4 Acid damage at the end of its next turn. On a successful save, a creature takes half the initial damage only.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The initial damage increases by 2d4 for each spell slot level above 4.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of giant slug bile)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You point at a location within range, and a glowing 1-foot-diameter ball of emerald acid streaks there and explodes in a 20-foot-radius sphere. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 10d4 acid damage and another 5d4 acid damage at the end of its next turn. On a successful save, a creature takes half the initial damage and no damage at the end of its next turn.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the initial damage increases by 2d4 for each slot level above 4th.
Vitriolic Sphere 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Vitriolic Sphere popularity
How popular is Vitriolic Sphere? 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% picked level 4 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% of all level 4 spells
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Vitriolic Sphere
Fireball 3rd-level evocation
It is an evocation burst with the same 150-foot range, instantaneous timing, Dexterity save, and broad area damage.
Players prefer Fireball over Vitriolic Sphere
Chain Lightning 6th-level evocation
Like Vitriolic Sphere, it is a sorcerer and wizard spell that reaches 150 feet and strikes several creatures with instantaneous damage.
Players prefer Chain Lightning over Vitriolic Sphere
Ice Storm 4th-level evocation
This same-level evocation deals instantaneous damage across an area at long range, making it a comparable crowd-damaging option.
Players prefer Ice Storm over Vitriolic Sphere
Melf's Acid Arrow 2nd-level evocation
Both deliver acid damage from a distance and add damage after the initial hit, though Acid Arrow affects only one creature.
Players prefer Melf's Acid Arrow over Vitriolic Sphere
Erupting Earth 3rd-level transmutation
Its ranged area burst uses a Dexterity save and instantaneous damage, although it trades acid and delayed damage for bludgeoning damage.
Players prefer Vitriolic Sphere over Erupting Earth
Tasha's Caustic Brew 1st-level evocation
The shared acid theme and ability to damage multiple creatures make it a lower-level alternative for spreading corrosive damage.
Players prefer Vitriolic Sphere over Tasha's Caustic Brew