A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet away from you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't pushed.
In addition, unsecured objects that are completely within the area of effect are automatically pushed 10 feet away from you by the spell's effect, and the spell emits a thunderous boom audible out to 300 feet.
At higher levels
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.
Thunderwave damage by spell slot level
Spell slot level
Damage
Average
1st
2d8 thunder
9
2nd
3d8 thunder
13.5
3rd
4d8 thunder
18
4th
5d8 thunder
22.5
5th
6d8 thunder
27
6th
7d8 thunder
31.5
7th
8d8 thunder
36
8th
9d8 thunder
40.5
9th
10d8 thunder
45
Averages are the dice’s expected total. A target that succeeds on its Constitution save takes half. Roll any row in the dice roller.
How Thunderwave plays
A wave of force bursts out from you in a 15-foot cube. Every creature in it makes a Constitution save: on a failure it takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet away from you; on a success it takes half and stays put. Loose objects in the area are pushed too, and the boom can be heard 300 feet away.
It’s the spell for when enemies get too close. A wizard surrounded by goblins can hurt all of them and knock them back out of reach in one action, then walk away. It’s also great for shoving enemies off ledges, into pits, or into the fire.
When to pick Thunderwave
Casters who get caught in melee. Bards, druids, sorcerers and wizards can all take it. It has no attack roll, so being next to enemies doesn’t give you disadvantage.
Use the terrain. Ten feet off a bridge, a cliff or a rooftop is worth far more than 2d8 damage.
Not when you’re sneaking. Anyone within 300 feet hears it.
Common questions
Where does Thunderwave’s cube go?
It starts from you: one face of the 15-foot cube is along the edge of your space, pointing whichever way you choose. You aren’t inside it.
Does Thunderwave hit my allies?
Yes. Every creature in the cube makes the save, so position before you cast.
Does Thunderwave push Large or bigger creatures?
Yes. The spell has no size limit: a creature of any size that fails the save is pushed 10 feet.
Does the push provoke opportunity attacks?
No. Being moved against your will doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks.
How much damage does Thunderwave do when upcast?
One more d8 per slot level above 1st: 3d8 at 2nd level, 4d8 at 3rd and so on.
Is Thunderwave loud?
Very. It makes a boom audible 300 feet away, so it will alert anyone nearby.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Range: Self (15-foot cube) → Self.
Dice in the main effect: 2d8 → 2d8, 1d8.
Casting time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Level
1
Classes
Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
You unleash a wave of thunderous energy. Each creature in a 15-foot Cube originating from you makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d8 Thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet away from you. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage only.
In addition, unsecured objects that are entirely within the Cube are pushed 10 feet away from you, and a thunderous boom is audible within 300 feet.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 1.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
