Spell reference · Updated September 2026
Sorcerous Burst
Sorcerous Burst is an evocation cantrip in D&D 5e (2024 rules), available to Sorcerer. Casting time: Action. Range: 120 feet. Duration: Instantaneous.
- Level
- Cantrip
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
Description
You cast sorcerous energy at one creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 damage of a type you choose: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, Psychic, or Thunder. If you roll the highest number on a d8, you can roll another d8 and add it to the damage. You can do this a maximum number of times equal to your spellcasting ability modifier.
At Higher Levels
The damage increases by 1d8 when you reach levels 5 (2d8), 11 (3d8), and 17 (4d8).
Choosing damage and tracking extra dice
Choose the damage type when you cast the spell. If you already know a creature resists one of the available types, you can select another; the spell itself does not reveal its resistances.
Keep bonus dice from rolls of 8 separate from the cantrip’s normal damage dice. The number of bonus rolls is capped by your spellcasting ability modifier. The 2024 text does not give a minimum of one bonus roll.
For example, with a +3 spellcasting modifier you can add at most three bonus d8s to one casting. Increasing your character level adds normal damage dice at levels 5, 11, and 17; it does not by itself raise that bonus-roll cap.
Classes that can cast Sorcerous Burst
Build a spellcaster
Create a D&D 5e character with our free step-by-step builder.
Build a Sorcerer