Word of Radiance

A
Damage

Word of Radiance is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell of holy light that sears
multiple nearby foes

Word of Radiance is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
 with a
save-or-suck

Word of Radiance is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

See all Save or Suck spells →
 flash.

2024 Rules
Level & School
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, M (a sunburst token)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Cleric

Burning radiance erupts from you in a 5-foot Emanation. Each creature of your choice that you can see in it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 1d6 Radiant damage.

Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d6 when you reach levels 5 (2d6), 11 (3d6), and 17 (4d6).

2014 Rules
Level & School
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
5 feet
Components
V, M (a holy symbol)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Cleric

You utter a divine word, and burning radiance erupts from you. Each creature of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 1d6 radiant damage.

Cantrip Upgrade. The spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).

Word of Radiance 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The spell now has Self range and affects a 5-foot Emanation around you instead of having 5-foot range. That changes how the area is defined at the table, but the damage, save, and classes stay the same.

Word of Radiance popularity

Word of Radiance is one of the rarest cantrips in the game. Choosing it will set you apart from all other casters.

Spells similar to Word of Radiance

  • Sacred Flame Evocation cantrip

    A cleric cantrip that deals radiant damage and forces a Constitution-based save, making it the closest single-target cousin in theme and mechanics.

  • Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration

    Both are cleric evocations that emanate from the caster and damage multiple creatures in an area repeatedly or instantly, with a saving throw to halve or avoid the effect.

  • Thunderclap Evocation cantrip

    A self-centered cantrip that affects all creatures in a close area and forces a saving throw, matching the short-range, multi-target tactical use.

  • Sunbeam 6th-level evocation

    A radiant-focused spell that originates from the caster and can hit multiple targets, sharing the light/radiant theme and area utility at higher power.

  • Sunburst 8th-level evocation

    A larger-scale radiant effect that damages many targets at once and fits the same thematic niche of light-based area damage.