Each object in a 20-foot cube within range is outlined in blue, green, or violet light (your choice). Any creature in the area when the spell is cast is also outlined in light if it fails a Dexterity saving throw. For the duration, objects and affected creatures shed dim light in a 10-foot radius.
Any attack roll against an affected creature or object has advantage if the attacker can see it, and the affected creature or object can't benefit from being invisible.
How Faerie Fire plays
Pick a 20-foot cube within 60 feet. Every creature in it makes a Dexterity saving throw, and each one that fails is outlined in blue, green or violet light for up to a minute while you concentrate. Any attack roll against an outlined creature has advantage if the attacker can see it, and the creature can’t benefit from being invisible. Objects in the cube are outlined too, with no save.
Advantage is worth roughly +4 or +5 on a typical attack roll, and it roughly doubles the chance of a critical hit. For a 1st-level spell with only a verbal component, handing that to the whole party for a minute is a lot. Outlined creatures also shed dim light in a 10-foot radius, which makes them easy to find in the dark.
When to pick Faerie Fire
Bards and druids in a party of weapon users. The more attacks your allies make, the more it’s worth; a rogue gets advantage for Sneak Attack every turn.
Against invisible enemies. You target an area, not a creature, so you don’t need to see what you’re catching. An imp that fails the save stays visible for the whole fight.
Cast it early, while the enemies are still bunched up and before your concentration is needed for something else.
Look elsewhere against a single nimble enemy with a strong Dexterity save. One save decides the whole spell.
Common questions
Does Faerie Fire work on invisible creatures?
Yes. You aim it at a cube, so you don’t need to see the creatures inside. Any that fail the Dexterity save are outlined and can’t benefit from being invisible for the duration.
Do spell attacks get advantage from Faerie Fire?
Yes. It works on any attack roll, melee or ranged, weapon or spell, as long as the attacker can see the target. Spells with saving throws, and Magic Missile, don’t make attack rolls, so it does nothing for them.
Does moving out of the cube end Faerie Fire?
No. The cube only decides who’s caught when you cast it. An outlined creature stays outlined for the whole duration wherever it goes, and there’s no repeat save. Only breaking your concentration ends it early.
Can Faerie Fire hit my allies?
Yes. Every creature in the cube makes the save, friend or foe. An outlined ally is easier to hit, so place the cube carefully.
Who can cast Faerie Fire?
Bards and druids learn it at 1st level. Light domain clerics get it as a domain spell, and drow can cast it once per long rest from 3rd level with their Drow Magic trait.
1st level, concentration: +1d4 to attacks and saves for three allies. Better when enemies are spread out; Faerie Fire is better against a group standing together.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Same level, casting time, range, components, duration and dice; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
Casting time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
School
Evocation
Level
1
Classes
Bard, Druid
Tags
concentration
Objects in a 20-foot Cube within range are outlined in blue, green, or violet light (your choice). Each creature in the Cube is also outlined if it fails a Dexterity saving throw. For the duration, objects and affected creatures shed Dim Light in a 10-foot radius and can't benefit from the Invisible condition.
Attack rolls against an affected creature or object have Advantage if the attacker can see it.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
