Heat Metal
Level 2 · Transmutation
- Concentration
- Damage
- Save
- Buff
- Debuff
Listed under transmutation, Heat Metal costs a 2nd-level slot for bard and druid casters. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 1 minute. Material: a piece of iron and a flame. Marked concentration. Effect: Choose a manufactured metal object, such as a metal weapon or a suit of Heavy or Medium metal armor, that you can see within range. At higher levels: The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 2.
Stat Block
- Level
- 2
- School
- Transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Druid
- Material
- a piece of iron and a flame
Description
Choose a manufactured metal object, such as a metal weapon or a suit of Heavy or Medium metal armor, that you can see within range. You cause the object to glow red-hot. Any creature in physical contact with the object takes 2d8 Fire damage when you cast the spell. Until the spell ends, you can take a Bonus Action on each of your later turns to deal this damage again if the object is within range. If a creature is holding or wearing the object and takes the damage from it, the creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or drop the object if it can. If it doesn't drop the object, it has Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the start of your next turn.
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
Transmutation spells edit the parameters of a fight. Haste doubles speed; Slow halves it. Enlarge changes a body's category; Reduce shrinks it. Heat Metal is Transmutation because the spell rewrites a property of a body, an object, or terrain. At level 2, Heat Metal sits in the mid-tier slot competition.
Class Fit
- Bard: College of Lore Bards have the easiest case for Heat Metal: Magical Secrets means the class can reach outside the standard list to grab adjacent picks. The higher-level scaling on Heat Metal is described in the spell text; check it before upcasting.
- Druid: Druid concentration is precious. Most Druids prep one big concentration spell and one non-concentration utility per day; Heat Metal fits one of those slots. Damage taken while concentrating on Heat Metal forces a Con save at DC 10 or half damage, whichever is higher.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Heat Metal
- What level spell is Heat Metal?
- Heat Metal is a level 2 spell from the Transmutation school. The classes that can prepare it: Bard, Druid.
- How much damage does Heat Metal deal?
- At base level, Heat Metal's damage is 2d8 (fire). Higher slots increase the damage as listed.
- What save does Heat Metal require?
- Targets of Heat Metal make a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC. On a success, the spell's effect is reduced or negated; see the description for exact terms.
- What is the range of Heat Metal?
- From the caster's position, Heat Metal reaches 60 feet.
- Is Heat Metal a concentration spell?
- Heat Metal is a concentration spell. Maximum duration is up to 1 minute. The caster can only maintain one concentration spell at a time, and damage forces a Con save to keep it active.
- What components and casting time does Heat Metal need?
- To cast: the cast needs V, S, M. Additionally, Material component: a piece of iron and a flame.