Whether calling out divine power from the deities, Mother Nature, or even from within, you can bring a mighty storm of fire to your mortal enemies. The Fire Storm spell offers a surmount of powerful flames worth a great, fiery force to be reckoned with.
What is Fire Storm 5e: mechanics and requirements
Attributes
- Casting time: 1 action
- Level: 7th level evocation
- Range: 150 feet
- Target: A location you choose within the range
- Components: V S
- Duration: Instantaneous
- Classes: Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer
Spell description
A storm made up of sheets of roaring flame appears in a Location you choose within range. The area of the storm consists of up to ten 10-foot cubes, which you can arrange as you wish. Each cube must have at least one face adjacent to the face of another cube. Each creature in the area must make Dexterity saving throw. It takes 7d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The fire damages Objects in the area and ignites flammable Objects that aren’t being worn or carried. If you choose, plant life in the area is unaffected by this spell.
Advantages and drawbacks
Advantage
- Long range: The Fire Storm spell gives the spellcaster 150 ft of range (worth ten 10-foot cubes) for them to target an enemy.
- Targetable AoE: As long as the Fire Storm spell is cast within range, the caster can choose where they may want to cast it. This is great as it affects all creatures within a range of up to ten 10-foot cubes.
- No materials: The Fire Storm spell requires only a verbal and a somatic component, so you don’t need to worry about wasting money on materials.
- High damage: The Fire Storm spell deals 7d10 fire damage at a maximum of 70 damage if you’re lucky!
- Guaranteed damage: Even if the target(s) passes their Dexterity saving throw, it is guaranteed that the target(s) will take half of the damage made when the Fire Storm spell is in effect.
- Forest Fire Safe: Thankfully enough, despite the spell being able to ignite objects, plants are in the safe zone if the caster chooses not to affect it. This is great for preventing any potential forest fires.
Disadvantage
- Instantaneous: The Fire Storm cantrip can only last at the instant it has been cast by the spellcaster and doesn’t last long. This means that it can only be used once per turn.
- Needs components: The Fire Storm spell requires the spellcaster to have verbal and somatic components to work. Though these are accessible to many, if you are in a situation where you’re bound or gagged by your enemies, it leaves this spell unusable.
- Common saving throw: The problem with the Fire Storm spell is that it requires a Dexterity saving throw. Many monsters in Dungeons and Dragons can be found with a saving throw proficiency in this type of saving throw, leaving enemies to get away with only half of the damage.
- Common damage type: In the Dungeons and Dragons universe, resistance and immunity against a fire damage type are very common among creatures. Because of this, the effects of the Fire Storm spell can be ineffective when striking those monsters, only dealing half or even no damage.
- Fire hazard: An issue of the Fire Storm spell is the potential destruction it can cause around the surrounding area. As the spell describes, “The fire damages objects in the area and ignites flammable objects that aren’t being worn or carried.” So, one must be careful of using this spell around flammable objects.
Best uses for Fire Storm 5e
1. A Force Alongside Nature
If you find yourself in the middle of the woods, the grasslands, or any place with vegetation, the Fire Storm spell is worth considering if you’re looking for a spell that causes fire damage without the risk.
According to the spell, if the caster chooses to, “plant life in the area is unaffected by this spell.” Thus, with the Fire Storm spell, you can set your enemies in flames without burning any surrounding vegetation. Be careful of animals because the spell can still inflict harm on them. With the Fire Storm spell, you can fight alongside nature spirits to save the land.
2. Burn Your Enemies
The Fire Storm gives the spellcaster the to set the world before them in flames. The spell is great to cover a lot of ground with when encountering a swarm of mobs. With a range of 150 feet, the area of the storm consists of up to ten 10-foot cubes giving you more than enough space to deal massive damage to your enemies.
Moreover, given the range, a great amount of damage can be dealt with. The Fire Storm spell can deal 7d10 fire damage that is guaranteed whether or not the targets pass the saving throw or not.
3. The Burning Bush
Have cultists been troubling you again? Or has the sketchy church been up to no good? Well, the Fire Storm spell might be the spell for you to put those acolytes and the religious off guard.
First, you create a holy scene by putting up some trees in flames as if you were an angry God. Then, using this alongside other spells for finesse, like Thaumaturgy, Dancing Lights, etc., with your fellow spellcasters, you can create a show to scare off those extremists.
Advice and final thoughts
The Fire Storm spell is a great edition for any cleric, druid, or sorcerer. For a high cost, the Fire Storm spell offers a 7d10 fire damage on multiple enemies within an area of the storm consisting of up to ten 10-foot cubes, allowing great crowd control and a guaranteed. Unlike other fire-based spells, the Fire Storm spell doesn’t burn down a whole forest unless the spellcaster chooses to do that.
On the other hand, it is important to take note that, like other fire-based spells, this one has a common damage type and saving throw, which may make this spell quite difficult to use against certain mobs that may be encountered.
On the other hand, this is great as it can prevent harming your environment and angering the nature spirit. All in all, the Fire Storm spell is definitely worth the spell slot.
Fire Storm 5e FAQ
Can the Fire Storm spell hit the same target multiple times?
Yes, the Fire Storm spell can hit multiple targets within a range of up to ten 10-foot cubes. As long as the creatures are within range and don’t have any immunity to fire damage, the spell will certainly inflict a great amount of damage.
What is the Fire Storm spell supposed to look like?
According to the Fire Storm spell, it is described as, “A storm made up of sheets of roaring flame appears in a location you choose within range.” Given the description, you can imagine it as plains of fire on the location.
Should I choose Wall of Fire or Fire Storm for my next spell?
The Wall of Fire spell and the Fire Storm spell is great but serve different purposes. The Fire Storm spell is a high-level spell to consider if you want something to inflict great damage within high range in an instant. While the Wall of Fire spell is something to consider if you are looking for a spell that could provide long-term damage and zoning. The choice is yours, depending on your needs.
Does each 10-foot cube of the Fire Storm spell do 7d10 fire damage?
Yes, in general, each cube of the Fire Storm spell deals 7d10 fire damage given the area it is in, no matter how many cubes the targetted creature is in. Each cube must be adjacent to the face of another cube.