Sunburst
Level 8 · Evocation
- Damage
- Save
- AOE
Sunburst occupies the evocation school at level 8, available to cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard. Cast time: Action. Range 150 feet, components V/S/M, duration instantaneous. Material: piece of sunstone. Effect: Brilliant sunlight flashes in a 60-foot-radius Sphere centered on a point you choose within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 8
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 150 feet (60-foot radius sphere)
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- piece of sunstone
Description
Brilliant sunlight flashes in a 60-foot-radius Sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Each creature in the Sphere makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 12d6 Radiant damage and has the Blinded condition for 1 Minute. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage only. A creature Blinded by this spell makes another Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. This spell dispels Darkness in its area that was created by any spell.
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. Sunburst earns the school tag through the spell focuses magical energy into a visible, immediate effect. The 8th-level slot is the spellcaster's bank vault; Sunburst earns the cast or it doesn't.
Class Fit
- Cleric: On a Cleric sheet, Sunburst competes with Bless, Spiritual Weapon, Spirit Guardians, and Healing Word for daily prep slots. 150 feet is enough range that Sunburst doesn't pull the caster forward.
- Druid: Circle of the Moon Druids spend most of their turns in Wild Shape — Sunburst earns its slot only if the build expects to cast in humanoid form. At 150 feet, Sunburst stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
- Sorcerer: At tier 1 a Sorcerer's known-spell budget is brutal. Sunburst earns its slot only if the build cannot win the next ten sessions without it. Sunburst reaches 150 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Wizard: Once Sunburst is in the spellbook the cost is gold-and-ritual-time at acquisition; from then on the daily prep decision is free. The 150-foot range on Sunburst leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Sunburst
- What level spell is Sunburst?
- Sunburst sits at level 8 in the Evocation school of magic, prepared by Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard.
- How much damage does Sunburst deal?
- The damage roll on Sunburst is 12d6 of radiant damage at base.
- What save does Sunburst require?
- Targets of Sunburst 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 Sunburst?
- From the caster's position, Sunburst reaches 150 feet.
- What components and casting time does Sunburst need?
- To cast: Sunburst is cast with V, S, M. Additionally, Material component: piece of sunstone.