Sleet Storm
- Level: 3
- School: Conjuration
- Class: Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: 150 feet
- Components: V, S, M (a miniature umbrella)
- Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Until the spell ends, sleet falls in a 40-foot-tall, 20-foot-radius cylinder centered on a point you choose within range. The area is Heavily Obscured, and exposed flames in the area are doused.
Ground in the cylinder is Difficult Terrain. When a creature enters the cylinder for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, it must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or have the Prone condition and lose Concentration.
Tactical Usage
Area Denial and Control. Sleet Storm creates a large area of difficult terrain and heavy obscurement that controls battlefield movement and visibility.
Concentration Disruption. The spell forces Dexterity saves that can break enemy concentration while making the area hazardous to traverse.
Flame Extinguishing. The spell automatically douses exposed flames, providing utility against fire-based enemies or environmental hazards.
Spell Combinations
Positioning Enhancement. Combining with forced movement effects pushes enemies into the dangerous area for maximum effect.
Stealth Integration. The heavy obscurement provides excellent cover for stealth operations and tactical repositioning.
Environmental Control. Using alongside other area effects creates comprehensive battlefield control through multiple hazard layers.
Material Component Details
Miniature Umbrella Symbolism. The umbrella represents protection from weather, symbolically connecting to the spell's creation of dangerous weather conditions.
Weather Magic Focus. The component reinforces the spell's meteorological nature and connection to natural storm phenomena.
Component Accessibility. The umbrella is readily available and reusable, making the spell consistently accessible.
Creator Notes
Battlefield Control Tool. Sleet Storm provides excellent area denial that affects movement, visibility, and spellcasting in substantial battlefield areas.
Concentration Balance. The spell requires concentration while forcing concentration saves on enemies, creating tactical risk-reward decisions.
Environmental Modification. The spell dramatically alters battlefield conditions through weather effects that persist throughout duration.
Environmental Interactions
Heavy Obscurement. The spell blocks vision completely within the affected area, preventing targeting and creating concealment opportunities.
Difficult Terrain Creation. Movement through the area becomes challenging, affecting positioning and tactical mobility.
Fire Suppression. All exposed flames are automatically extinguished, affecting torches, campfires, and potentially fire-based magic.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Dexterity Save Timing. Creatures make saves when entering the area for the first time on their turn or starting their turn within it.
Save Consequences. Failed saves result in both prone condition and lost concentration, creating significant tactical impact.
Area Dimensions. The 40-foot tall, 20-foot radius cylinder affects substantial three-dimensional space including flying creatures.
Visibility Mechanics. Heavy obscurement prevents sight-based targeting while creating opportunities for stealth and concealment.
Alternative Applications
Fire Fighting. Extinguishing large fires or preventing fire spread through natural weather suppression.
Crowd Dispersal. Creating hazardous conditions that encourage civilian evacuation from dangerous areas.
Environmental Modification. Altering local weather patterns for agricultural, tactical, or atmospheric purposes.
Related Spells
Weather Control Comparison. Various spells affect weather, while Sleet Storm focuses specifically on ice and precipitation effects.
Area Control Alternatives. Different spells create area denial through various mechanisms, while Sleet Storm uses weather conditions.
Conjuration Weather. The spell represents conjuration magic that creates real weather phenomena rather than mere illusions.
Scaling Analysis
Consistent Control Value. Sleet Storm maintains area denial utility throughout character progression as battlefield control remains valuable.
Concentration Competition. Higher-level casters must weigh the spell against other concentration options with different tactical applications.
Area Effect Scaling. The large affected area becomes increasingly valuable in encounters with multiple enemies or larger battlefields.
Narrative Flavor
Natural Storm Creation. The spell should emphasize the creation of realistic weather conditions that feel natural rather than obviously magical.
Treacherous Conditions. The sleet should create visibly dangerous conditions that explain the mechanical effects through environmental hazards.
Weather Mastery. The effect should demonstrate the caster's command over natural forces through controlled storm generation.