Weapon (any sword), very rare (requires attunement) · 2024 version below
Type
Weapon
Rarity
Very Rare
Attunement
Required
Price (2014)
5,001–50,000 gp (DMG value range)
Price (2024)
40,000 gp plus the base item
When you hit with an attack using this magic sword, the target takes an extra 1d6 cold damage. In addition, while you hold the sword, you have resistance to fire damage.
In freezing temperatures, the blade sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
When you draw this weapon, you can extinguish all nonmagical flames within 30 feet of you. This property can be used no more than once per hour.
How the Frost Brand plays
Any sword can be a Frost Brand. Every hit deals an extra 1d6 cold damage, and while you hold it you have resistance to fire damage. In freezing temperatures it sheds bright light for 10 feet and dim light for 10 more.
When you draw it, you can put out every nonmagical flame within 30 feet of you, once per hour: torches, campfires, lanterns, a burning building. It’s very rare and requires attunement.
Who should wield it
Anyone fighting fire. Resistance to fire halves Fireball, red dragon breath and fire elementals, and the cold damage hurts many fire creatures.
Fighters and paladins with Extra Attack, since the 1d6 comes with every hit.
Ambushers. Drawing it snuffs every torch and lantern around, which leaves enemies without darkvision in the dark.
Common questions
Is a Frost Brand a +1 weapon?
No. It has no bonus to attack or damage rolls. It’s still magical, so it gets through resistance to nonmagical attacks.
Do I need to hold the Frost Brand for fire resistance?
Yes. You have resistance to fire damage while you hold it, so a sheathed Frost Brand doesn’t protect you.
Why is the Frost Brand very rare when the Flame Tongue is rare?
The fire resistance. The Flame Tongue deals more damage, 2d6 against 1d6, but the Frost Brand protects you from one of the most common damage types in the game.
What flames can it put out?
All nonmagical flames within 30 feet of you when you draw it, once per hour. Magical fire, like Wall of Fire, is unaffected.
Does the cold damage double on a critical hit?
Yes. On a critical hit you roll the extra 1d6 cold twice, along with the sword’s own dice.
Did the 2024 rules change the Frost Brand?
The effects are the same, but the 2024 version lists its weapon types: glaive, greatsword, longsword, rapier, scimitar or shortsword.
Rare: +1 and an extra 3d6 against dragons. The pick for a campaign built around dragons.
Frost Brand in the 2024 rules
The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide revised the magic items, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed:
Same rarity and attunement; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
Type
Weapon (Glaive, Greatsword, Longsword, Rapier, Scimitar, or Shortsword)
Rarity
Very Rare
Attunement
Required
When you hit with an attack roll using this magic weapon, the target takes an extra 1d6 Cold damage. In addition, while you hold the weapon, you have Resistance to Fire damage.
In freezing temperatures, the weapon sheds Bright Light in a 10-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 10 feet.
When you draw this weapon, you can extinguish all nonmagical flames within 30 feet of yourself. Once used, this property can't be used again for 1 hour.
