Watery Sphere
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 90 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a droplet of water)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You conjure up a sphere of water with a 5-foot radius at a point you can see within range. The sphere can hover but no more than 10 feet off the ground. The sphere remains for the spell's duration.
Any creature in the sphere's space must make a Strength saving throw. On a successful save, a creature is ejected from that space to the nearest unoccupied space of the creature's choice outside the sphere. A Huge or larger creature succeeds on the saving throw automatically, and a Large or smaller creature can choose to fail it. On a failed save, a creature is restrained by the sphere and is engulfed by the water. At the end of each of its turns, a restrained target can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success.
The sphere can restrain as many as four Medium or smaller creatures or one Large creature. If the sphere restrains a creature that causes it to exceed this capacity, a random creature that was already restrained by the sphere falls out of it and lands prone in a space within 5 feet of it.
As an action, you can move the sphere up to 30 feet in a straight line. If it moves over a pit, a cliff, or other drop-off, it safely descends until it is hovering 10 feet above the ground. Any creature restrained by the sphere moves with it. You can ram the sphere into creatures, forcing them to make the saving throw.
When the spell ends, the sphere falls to the ground and extinguishes all normal flames within 30 feet of it. Any creature restrained by the sphere is knocked prone in the space where it falls. The water then vanishes.
Watery Sphere 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Watery Sphere is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Watery Sphere popularity
How popular is Watery Sphere? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and it is almost never chosen when available. This spell is one that few spellcasters would ever acquire.
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 10% of all level 4 spells
- Bottom 10% picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 4 Wizard spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 4 Druid spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Watery Sphere
Telekinesis 5th-level transmutation
Both let the caster manipulate creatures at range over repeated turns, using concentration to maintain strong positional control.
Players prefer Telekinesis over Watery Sphere
Web 2nd-level conjuration
This lower-level spell also creates a lasting area that can immobilize several creatures while requiring concentration.
Players prefer Web over Watery Sphere
Otiluke's Resilient Sphere 4th-level abjuration
Each spell uses a magical sphere to contain a creature through a saving throw for up to a minute.
Players prefer Otiluke's Resilient Sphere over Watery Sphere
Evard's Black Tentacles 4th-level conjuration
Both are 4th-level concentration spells that create a persistent area to restrain multiple creatures and shape the battlefield.
Players prefer Evard's Black Tentacles over Watery Sphere
Control Water 4th-level transmutation
It is another 4th-level water-themed control spell that alters terrain and rewards tactical positioning over direct damage.
Players prefer Control Water over Watery Sphere
Sleet Storm 3rd-level conjuration
The spells share druid, sorcerer, and wizard access, a concentration duration, and the ability to disrupt a broad section of the battlefield.
Players prefer Sleet Storm over Watery Sphere