Chromatic Orb spell icon: a hand crackling with magic
Icon by Delapouite, CC BY 3.0

Chromatic Orb 5e spell (2024)

1st-level evocation · new in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)

Casting time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a diamond worth 50+ GP)
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Level
1
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

You hurl an orb of energy at a target within range. Choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, or Thunder for the type of orb you create, and then make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 damage of the chosen type.

If you roll the same number on two or more of the d8s, the orb leaps to a different target of your choice within 30 feet of the target. Make an attack roll against the new target, and make a new damage roll. The orb can't leap again unless you cast the spell with a level 2+ spell slot.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 1. The orb can leap a maximum number of times equal to the level of the slot expended, and a creature can be targeted only once by each casting of this spell.

Chromatic Orb isn’t in the 2014 SRD 5.1; this is its 2024 text from the SRD 5.2.

Classes that can cast Chromatic Orb

ClassFirst availableSpellcasting ability
Sorcerer spells1st character levelCharisma
Wizard spells1st character levelIntelligence

Levels follow the 2024 rules, where paladins and rangers cast from 1st level.

Other 1st-level evocation spells

Browse: all 1st-level spells · evocation spells