Flame Strike
Level 5 · Evocation
- Damage
- Save
- AOE
A 5th-level spell in the evocation school, Flame Strike appears on the cleric list. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S/M, duration instantaneous. Material: a pinch of sulfur. Effect: A vertical column of brilliant fire roars down from above. At higher levels: The Fire damage and the Radiant damage increase by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 5.
Stat Block
- Level
- 5
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Cleric
- Material
- a pinch of sulfur
Description
A vertical column of brilliant fire roars down from above. Each creature in a 10-foot-radius, 40-foot-high Cylinder centered on a point within range makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 5d6 Fire damage and 5d6 Radiant damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Evocation is the school most players picture when they imagine spellcasting. It is also the school that puts the most decisions on the caster's plate per cast — area, angle, save type, friendly fire. Flame Strike sits in Evocation because the spell focuses magical energy into a visible, immediate effect. Mid-tier casters can usually cast Flame Strike once or twice per long rest.
Class Fit
- Cleric: Clerics often prep Flame Strike for a single arc — a kidnapping arc, a planar arc, a politics arc — and swap it out when the arc ends. 60 feet is enough range that Flame Strike doesn't pull the caster forward.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Flame Strike
- What level spell is Flame Strike?
- In D&D 5e, Flame Strike is classified as a level 5 spell of the Evocation school. Available classes: Cleric.
- How much damage does Flame Strike deal?
- Flame Strike deals 5d6 fire damage as its base effect. Upcasting raises the dice count.
- What save does Flame Strike require?
- The save against Flame Strike is a Dexterity saving throw. Specific rules for a successful save are spelled out in the spell description.
- What is the range of Flame Strike?
- From the caster's position, Flame Strike reaches 60 feet.
- What components and casting time does Flame Strike need?
- Flame strike requires v, s, m. The other notable details — Material component: a pinch of sulfur.
- Can Flame Strike be upcast?
- Upcasting Flame Strike works as follows: The Fire damage and the Radiant damage increase by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 5.