“I cast fire bolt!”
Table of Contents
What is Fire Bolt 5e Spell?
The spell’s text from the Player’s Handbook pg 242 reads: “You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn’t being worn or carried.
This spell’s damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th Level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).”
Fire Bolt 5e Stats
| Level | Cantrip |
| Casting Time | 1 Action |
| Range/Area | 120 feet |
| Classes | Sorcerer, Wizard, Artificer |
| Components | Verbal, Somatic |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| School | Evocation |
| Attack/Save | Ranged |
| Damage/Effect | Fire |
How Does Fire Bolt Work?
Fire Bolt 5e is an evocation spell that brings fire elemental energy into existence at the will of your character at a range of 120 feet.
In order to cast this spell, your character will need to make some kind of vocalization. Like a chant or a primal scream.
The caster must make also a ranged spell attack, meaning they must roll and add their spellcasting ability score modifier to the roll in order to use the spell. On a hit from level 1 to 5, Fire Bolt does 1d10 of fire damage. It can also set alight flammable objects that are not being worn.
The damage increases at levels 5, 11, and 17 to 2, 3, and 4 d10 respectively.
Is Fire Bolt a Good Spell?
Absolutely Fire Bolt is a good spell. It is one of the most widely used and referenced spells in DnD 5e. Although you can’t catch your enemies on fire, you can deal some serious damage. Especially on targets that are weak against fire.
The Fire Bolt spell has practical uses besides just killing things. You can also cast this spell at obstacles that are weak to fire. Since it is usually used as a cantrip, Fire Bolt can be cast at will. If your party comes across a particularly stubborn nonmagical door or a block of ice that looks at you funny, you can Fire Bolt it away.
It is important to note that many creatures have a resistance to fire. So, it is a good idea to counterbalance this spell with other types of damage attacks. It is also world-specific so if you are paying in a universe that is run by trees, Fire Bolt might be a pretty good choice.
Which Classes Can Use Fire Bolt?
Loads of different player types can use Fire Bolt. Fire Bolt is normally found on the Wizard spell list. However, the spell can also be found in the normal spell lists of Artificers and Sorcerers.
Fire Bolt can also be obtained by taking one of a few subclasses.
- Arcane Trickster is a Rogue subclass that allows you to choose 2 cantrips from the Wizard spell list.
- Eldrich Knight is a subclass of Fighter that allows the player to choose cantrips from the Wizard spell list.
- Arcana Domain is a Cleric subclass that lets the Cleric choose two Wizard cantrips to use as Cleric spells.
There are also a number of feats that allow you to choose Fire Bolt.
High Elves may also choose a Wizard cantrip to show off their subrace’s magical…supremacy.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to Fire Bolt 5e, why not check out Arcane Focus 5e or Misty Step 5e.
Jillian started learning Dungeons & Dragons in 2014. After being encouraged by a friend to make a character, she became fully involved in character creation and later became an awesome Dungeon Master. Jillian strives to use her creativity to spread her knowledge of DnD and interpret the ruleset.