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Ray of Frost

Evocation
Level: Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Instantaneous
Components: V, S

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.

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

Spell Details

School: Evocation
Level: Cantrip
Ritual: No
Concentration: No
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard
B-Tier Ray of Frost is a solid, reliable cantrip that deals respectable damage while providing battlefield control through speed reduction, making it useful for both damage and tactical positioning.

Player Guide

Use Ray of Frost to kite enemies and prevent them from closing distance, especially against melee-heavy opponents—the speed reduction stacks with other movement penalties if available. Prioritize this cantrip when enemies are approaching or trying to escape, as the utility often matters more than the damage alone. Against flying or highly mobile enemies, this becomes even more valuable as reducing their speed by 10 feet can significantly impact their tactical options on subsequent turns.

DM Tips

Ray of Frost's speed reduction applies until the start of the caster's next turn, not the target's next turn—clarify this timing with your players. Multiple Ray of Frost hits do not stack their speed reductions; only one reduction applies at a time regardless of how many times the target is hit.