Frostbite 5e: is it worth it, and best uses

Druids, wizards, and everything in between, today we are taking a closer look at an exciting cantrip: Frostbite in 5e DnD. The source for this spell is Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, and since it is often overlooked, it’s high time for a decent guide on the cantrip.

We will look at the best uses for Frostbite 5e, how it works in DnD and if it is worth picking this cantrip for your character. Let’s dive in!

Frostbite 5e: must know facts

Frostbite 5e is an evocation cantrip found in the Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. 

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Spell Lists: Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Artificer

The fact that you don’t need a material component and the pretty okay range are two decent benefits for when you are using a class with low durabilities like the wizard or warlock. 

Frostbite effect

When you cast the cantrip, you cause an intense numbing frost to form on one creature that you can see within range. 

The target of your cantrip must make a Constitution saving throw. 

• On a failed save, the target takes 1d6 cold damage, and it has a disadvantage on the next weapon attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.
• On a successful save, the creature takes no damage.

The Frostbite cantrip is a typical fail or sucks spell. But, simultaneously, the fact that you can give your target a disadvantage on their next attack is very strong. Even more so when you are trying to mess with the action economy of a single strong target.

Unfortunately, the saving throw for Frostbite is constitutional. However, many DnD creatures can make those throws successfully.  

Higher levels

Like most cantrips, Frostbite increases in potency when your level goes up. Unfortunately, the cantrip does not get much more potent when you gain levels. The spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach the 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6). There is no additional effect beyond that, which is quite a shame as I would have loved something like freeze damage per turn. 

What classes can use Frostbite?

There are quite a few classes that have access to the Frostbite cantrip. These are the classes that can use the spell:

• Druid at level 1
• Sorcerer at level 1
• Warlock at level 1
• Artificer at level 1
• Wizard at level 1
• Arcane Trickster at level 8 (access to evocation spells)
• Bards at level 10 (thanks to the magical secrets) 

The instances where I would give one of these classes – as a DM and player alike – this cantrip are extremely limited. There are just so many superior options to Frostbite. 

Frostbite 5e best uses

Action economy antics

The main strength of this cantrip lies in the fact that you can give your opponent a disadvantage on weapon attacks. However, this can mess with their action economy quite a lot as you don’t get a lot of those per turn, and missing one can be pretty significant.

I must stress that the text says weapon attacks. So a barehanded melee attack will be unaffected by the disadvantage that Frostbite gives.

Little resistances

An excellent advantage of the Frostbite cantrip over other cantrips like Firebolt is that cold damage has fewer resistances. So, that makes the spell a bit more enjoyable to use in some situations. Fire is the most resisted element of all, so having a frost damage dealing spell can be helpful.

Cantrip Conclusion

Frostbite can be useful at earlier levels and as a way to mess with the weapon attack of an opponent; however, there are better alternatives. First, the cantrip does not scale very well with your level. Next to that, the damage it deals is nothing special, too. Therefore, I would skip using this spell unless you make some kind of frost mage. 

It goes without saying that you should not pick this cantrip as a magical secret when you have a level 10 bard. There are much better options at your disposal. 

Frostbite Faq