Scorching Ray 5e
Scorching Ray is a 2nd-level spell that fires three rays of fire at targets within 120 feet. Each ray needs its own ranged spell attack and deals 2d6 fire damage on a hit (average 7), so all three hitting average 21 damage. Each slot level above 2nd adds one more ray.
Pick a slot and press Roll.
Scorching Ray at a glance
| Level | 2nd-level evocation |
| Casting time | 1 action |
| Range | 120 feet |
| Components | V, S |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| Classes | Sorcerer, Wizard |
| Resolution | Ranged spell attack for each ray |
| Damage type | Fire |
Scorching Ray damage by slot level
| Slot | Dice | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd-level slot (3 rays) | 3 × 2d6 | 6 | 21 | 36 |
| 3rd-level slot (4 rays) | 4 × 2d6 | 8 | 28 | 48 |
| 4th-level slot (5 rays) | 5 × 2d6 | 10 | 35 | 60 |
| 5th-level slot (6 rays) | 6 × 2d6 | 12 | 42 | 72 |
| 6th-level slot (7 rays) | 7 × 2d6 | 14 | 49 | 84 |
| 7th-level slot (8 rays) | 8 × 2d6 | 16 | 56 | 96 |
| 8th-level slot (9 rays) | 9 × 2d6 | 18 | 63 | 108 |
| 9th-level slot (10 rays) | 10 × 2d6 | 20 | 70 | 120 |
How Scorching Ray works
How it works: You create three rays of fire and hurl them at targets within 120 feet. You can send them all at one creature or spread them across several. Make a separate ranged spell attack for each ray; each one that hits deals 2d6 fire damage.
Damage: One ray deals 2 to 12 damage, averaging 7. If all three hit, the total averages 21, with a maximum of 36. Real damage is lower because some rays miss, which is the trade-off against save-based spells.
Upcasting: Each slot level above 2nd adds one ray, so a 3rd-level slot fires four rays (average 28 if all hit).
Critical hits: Because every ray has its own attack roll, each one can crit. A critical ray doubles its dice to 4d6. Advantage on your attacks, for example against a prone or restrained target at close range, boosts the spell a lot.
Scorching Ray: 2014 vs 2024 rules
| 2014 PHB | 2024 PHB | |
|---|---|---|
| Damage | 3 rays, 2d6 fire each | 3 rays, 2d6 fire each |
| Upcasting | +1 ray per slot above 2nd | +1 ray per slot above 2nd |
| Attack | Ranged spell attack per ray | Ranged spell attack per ray |
| Range | 120 feet | 120 feet |
Scorching Ray FAQ
How much damage does Scorching Ray do?
Each of the three rays deals 2d6 fire damage on a hit. If all three hit, the average total is 21 and the maximum is 36.
Do you roll a separate attack for each Scorching Ray?
Yes. Each ray gets its own ranged spell attack, so some can hit and others miss, and each can score a critical hit on its own.
Can you aim Scorching Ray at different targets?
Yes. You can direct all the rays at one creature or split them among several within range.
How does Scorching Ray scale?
Each slot level above 2nd adds one more ray. A 3rd-level slot fires four rays and a 9th-level slot fires ten.
Related
Other 2nd-level spells
- Acid Arrow
- Alter Self
- Arcane Lock
- Arcanist's Magic Aura
- Augury
- Blindness/Deafness
- Blur
- Continual Flame
- Darkness
- Darkvision
- Detect Thoughts
- Dragon's Breath
Rules are summarised in our own words; monster stat blocks are reproduced from the SRD. This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 ("SRD 5.2") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Card icons by Lorc and Delapouite from game-icons.net, licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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Contains content from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.