Meteor Swarm
Level 9 · Evocation
- Damage
- Save
- AOE
Meteor Swarm (sorcerer and wizard) casts from a 9th-level slot in the evocation school. Cast time: Action. Range 1 mile, components V/S, duration instantaneous. Effect: Blazing orbs of fire plummet to the ground at four different points you can see within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 9
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 1 mile (40-foot radius sphere)
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
Blazing orbs of fire plummet to the ground at four different points you can see within range. Each creature in a 40-foot-radius Sphere centered on each of those points makes a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 20d6 Fire damage and 20d6 Bludgeoning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature in the area of more than one fiery Sphere is affected only once. A nonmagical object that isn't being worn or carried also takes the damage if it's in the spell's area, and the object starts burning if it's flammable.
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
Meteor Swarm is Evocation's 9th-level capstone: four 40-foot-radius spheres at distinct points up to a mile away, each dealing 20d6 damage (40d6 total) on a Dex save. The spell is a campaign-defining cast — most 9th-level slots in tier-4 play go to Wish or Time Stop, but Meteor Swarm exists for the one encounter that justifies burning a 9th-level slot purely on damage.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: Sorcerers reach Meteor Swarm at character level 17. The known-spell budget is brutal at tier 4 — most builds pick exactly one 9th-level spell, and Meteor Swarm fights Wish for that slot.
- Wizard: Wizards add Meteor Swarm to the spellbook at level 17. Most Wizard builds prep it alongside Wish and Time Stop, choosing the daily cast based on the planned encounter.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Four 40-foot radius spheres, 20d6 fire + 20d6 bludgeoning each. Total damage potential is the highest in the game. Save Wish for after Meteor Swarm to cast Heal on yourself.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Meteor Swarm
- What level spell is Meteor Swarm?
- The spell Meteor Swarm is a level 9 spell in the Evocation school. Sorcerer, Wizard all have access to it.
- How much damage does Meteor Swarm deal?
- At base level, Meteor Swarm's damage is 20d6 (fire).
- What save does Meteor Swarm require?
- Targets of Meteor Swarm make a Dexterity 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 Meteor Swarm?
- From the caster's position, Meteor Swarm reaches 1 mile.
- What components and casting time does Meteor Swarm need?
- For Meteor Swarm: the spell uses V, S components, casting is a normal Action.