Sacred Flame

Evocation

Level: Cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Duration: Instantaneous

Components: V, S

Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.

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: Cleric

A-Tier Reliable radiant damage that ignores cover, making it superior to fire-bolt in many situations despite lacking bonus actions synergies.

Player Guide

Position yourself where enemies cannot benefit from cover, as Sacred Flame ignores it entirely—this is your primary advantage over other cantrips. Use it when enemies cluster behind half-cover or hide behind allies. Pair it with allies who control enemy movement to ensure targets lack escape routes. As a cantrip with no attack roll, it's particularly effective against high-AC enemies and unreliable when enemies have high DEX saves, so reserve it for targets with poor dexterity.

Spell Combos

command Forces enemy movement into exposed positions where Sacred Flame's cover-ignoring property becomes invaluable.hold-person Paralyzed creatures automatically fail DEX saves, making Sacred Flame a guaranteed damage follow-up.

DM Tips

Remind players that Sacred Flame ignores cover but not total cover; enemies still need line of sight to the caster. Consider enemy positioning carefully—Sacred Flame becomes the optimal choice when enemies cluster behind partial cover.

Related Spells

fire-bolt guiding-bolt