Fire Bolt: 5e Mechanics and Guide to Using the Spell

Casting Time

1 action

School

Evocation

Damage/Effect

Fire Damage

Range

120

Class

Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard

Attack/Save

Spell Attack Modifier

Duration

Instantaneous

Level

Components

Verbal, Somatic

Spell Description:

You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage.

A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn’t being worn or carried.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

	1st level	5th level	11th level	17th level
Damage Dice	1d10	2d10	3d10	4d10
Minimum Damage	1	2	3	4
Average Damage	5.5	10.5	15.5	20.5
Maximum Damage	10	20	30	40

Cantrip, Evocation, Damage, Fire

Level: Artificer (1), Sorcerer (1), Wizard (1), Eldritch Knight (3), Arcane Trickster (8), Bard (10, Magical Secrets)

Materials Required: None

Number of Targets: 1

Die Type: d10

Number of Dice: 1 (increased by 1 at 5th, 11th, and 17th level)

Damage Type: Fire

Save: None

Damage On Successful Save: N/A

Statuses Inflicted: Ignites flammable, non-living objects that are not being carried or worn

Status Duration: Until put out

Affected By Cover: No

Advantage: None

Disadvantage: None

Who Can Cast Fire Bolt?

Artificers, Wizards, and Sorcerers can all take Fire Bolt at level 1 as Fire Bolt is a cantrip on their spell lists. Bards can take Fire Bolt when they reach level 10 and get access to Magical Secrets.

What Is Fire Bolt?

Fire Bolt is a damaging cantrip from the Evocation school of magic. It deals Fire damage on hit and ignites flammable objects so long as they are non-living and not being worn or carried.

When and Where Should I Cast Fire Bolt?

Fire Bolt is the primary damaging spell for low-level Wizards, Sorcerers, and Artificers. Its high base damage output and low resource cost make it a perfectly spammable damage option for players to nuke down small enemies.

Why Should I Take Fire Bolt?

It does so much damage for a cantrip. It is, by and far, one of the most reliable damage cantrips in the game so far.

Common Questions About Fire Bolt

Do you add proficiency to Fire Bolt’s damage in D&D 5e?

No, you do not. Fire Bolt deals only its base damage.

Can Fire Bolt light a fire?

Yes, it can! As long as the kindling isn’t being worn or carried, Fire Bolt can ignite any flammable object.

Do you roll for Fire Bolt?

Yes, Fire Bolt requires a roll to hit, which will be 1d20 + Spell Casting Ability Modifier + Proficiency in 5e.

Is Eldritch Blast better than Fire Bolt?

Eldritch Blast’s power comes from the Warlock’s Eldritch Invocations. Without these modifiers, Eldritch Blast is almost identical to Fire Bolt, aside from its damage type.

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Luxia Le( Expert Contributor )

When I’m not writing about RPGs, I’m playing Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, X-Wing miniatures, and many other lovingly-crafted tabletop games with the people I love.