Ray of Frost spell icon: a shard of ice
Icon by Lorc, CC BY 3.0

Ray of Frost 5e spell

Evocation cantrip · 2024 version below

Casting time
1 action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Level
Cantrip
Attack
Ranged spell attack
Damage type
Cold

A frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 cold damage, and its speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.

The spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

Ray of Frost damage by character level

Character levelDamageAverage
1st+1d8 cold4.5
5th+2d8 cold9
11th+3d8 cold13.5
17th+4d8 cold18

Averages are the dice’s expected total. Roll any row in the dice roller.

Classes that can cast Ray of Frost

ClassFirst availableSpellcasting ability
Sorcerer spells1st level (cantrip)Charisma
Wizard spells1st level (cantrip)Intelligence

Ray of Frost in the 2024 rules

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, S
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Level
Cantrip
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

A frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 Cold damage, and its Speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.

Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d8 when you reach levels 5 (2d8), 11 (3d8), and 17 (4d8).

2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.

Other evocation cantrips

Browse: all cantrips · evocation spells · cold damage spells