Flame Blade 5e D&D Guide

The air around you ignites, amalgamating into a blazing sword of pure flame.

The Flame Blade spell is a testament to the power of magic, allowing wielders to channel their arcane energy into a deadly weapon that can overcome the foes before them.

The Player’s Handbook says the following:

Flame Blade 5e

2nd-level Evocation

Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action

Range: Self

Components: V, S, M (one leaf of sumac)

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

In your free hand, you conjure a fiery blade. The blade is there for the duration and resembles a scimitar in size and shape. The sword vanishes if you let go of it, but you can return it as a bonus action.

With the fiery blade, you can use your action to make a melee spell attack. The target sustains 3d6 fire damage from a hit.

A 10-foot radius of strong light is cast by the flaming blade, with another 10-foot radius of low light as well.

At Higher Levels: When you cast Flame Blade using a 4th-level spell slot or higher, the damage will increase by 1d6 for every two slot levels above 2nd.

Spell Type – Damage

Which Classes Can Pick Flame Blade 5e?

Traditional classes, such as Druids and Sorcerers, can freely unlock Flame Blade.

Both traditional classes can unlock and use Flame Blade at level 3.

No subclasses can freely unlock and use Flame Blade.

Is Flame Blade Good in 5e?

While Flame Blade might look like a good option for spellcasters caught in close combat, the spell itself isn’t very good.

Compared to the higher-level spell slot it uses and the damage it does, Flame Blade can easily be replaced by certain Cantrips and 1st-level spells.

Advantages – Flame Blade

Bonus Action

Flame Blade allows you to attack with the weapon on the same turn it is summoned, effectively granting you an extra attack. This can be particularly useful if you find yourself in melee combat.

Additionally, because the weapon is made of fire, it can bypass resistance to non-magical attacks, making it a good option against certain foes.

Duration

Compared to other counterparts mentioned later in the text, Flame Blade has a much longer duration (10 minutes).

It also allows you to maintain the fiery weapon for an extended period of time, making it a reliable and consistent source of damage.

Another advantage is that the caster can have the blade active for multiple combats or encounters. Not only making it versatile but also relatively reliable.

Disadvantages – Flame Blade

Low Range

Flame Blade requires you to be near your target to make an attack.

This can be dangerous for spellcasters who lack proficiency in melee combat, as it puts you at risk of taking damage from experienced melee enemies.

It also makes it challenging to engage enemies far away and who can attack from range, limiting your tactical options in battle.

Concentration Spell

To keep Flame Blade active, you’ll have to maintain your Concentration.

Breaking your Concentration can be done simply in two ways. You can either choose/be forced to break it by casting another Concentration spell or take damage.

One of the biggest problems Concentration spells have is that it limits your ability to cast other powerful Concentration spells.

In the end, you’ll have to make a choice, so working with these spells can be very tricky.

Material Component

Even though you only need to find a sumac leaf for Flame Blade, finding one in an unfamiliar place or small town might be challenging.

Without a Material component, the spell will be useless, no matter how powerful.

Note: Make sure you stock up appropriately, as anything can happen to your material while traveling.

Spells Similar To Flame Blade 5e

Similar spells to Flame Blade are Green-Flame Blade, Booming Blade, Shillelagh, Thunderous Smite, Branding Smite, and Shadow Blade.

A magical item called the Sun Blade also has similar qualities to Flame Blade.

When or How Should I Use Flame Blade?

Close Quarters Combat

Since Flame Blade is a sword, you can only use it in close combat. So if you’re ever out of spell slots or want to save them, try using Flame Blade to take care of the weaker enemies.

Intimidation

Instantly summoning a large fiery sword from your hand will definitely intimidate ignorant goons!

DM Alterations or Combinations

If the DM makes some alterations to Flame Blade (buffing it), you can try it out in your build. Maybe he’ll remove the Material component, Concentration or maybe change the damage.

Note: If there are changes, try them out. The spell might be much better than it used to be.

You can also combine the current Flame Blade with other spells like Poison Spray, Thunderclap, or Thorn Whip. All of which are Cantrips that will make your damage add up in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Flame Blade Be Twinned?

For a spell to be twinned, it has to only target one creature and not have a range of self.

Unfortunately, Flame Blade checks neither of those boxes, meaning it can’t be twinned.

Can Flame Blade and Booming Blade Be Cast Together?

When looking at the descriptions of both spells, it’s apparent that Flame Blade is a Concentration spell and Booming Blade isn’t.

Comparing the Spells

Booming Blade uses a weapon and imbues it with magical power to unleash its effect, while Flame Blade conjures its weapon instead.

Flame Blade uses a bonus action, and Booming Blade uses a standard action, so they can be cast in the same turn.

So, in theory, if you have two open hands and have all your actions, you should be able to cast these spells right after one another.

Note: The final call will come from your DM; some won’t allow this.

Final Thoughts

While Flame Blade isn’t a go-to spell, it can prove helpful in certain situations. If you are interested in it, you should test it, and maybe it’ll work for you.

But for the most part, you can pick many other better spells instead. One thing is for sure; the spell looks much more powerful than it’ll turn out to be!