Sorcerous Burst
- Level: Cantrip
- School: Evocation
- Class: Sorcerer
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: 120 feet
- Components: V, S
- Duration: Instantaneous
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 an 8 on a d8 for this spell, you can roll another d8, and add it to the damage. When you cast this spell, the maximum number of these d8s you can add to the spell's damage equals your spellcasting ability modifier.
Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d8 when you reach levels 5 (2d8), 11 (3d8), and 17 (4d8).
Tactical Usage
Versatile Damage Cantrip. Sorcerous Burst provides excellent damage potential with seven damage type options, enabling adaptation to enemy resistances and vulnerabilities.
Explosive Damage Potential. The rolling 8s mechanic creates opportunities for exceptional damage spikes limited by spellcasting modifier.
Sorcerer Identity Spell. The spell exemplifies sorcerer magic through raw energy manipulation and unpredictable magical surges.
Spell Combinations
Metamagic Synergy. Sorcerer metamagic options enhance the spell's effectiveness through range, accuracy, or damage modifications.
Vulnerability Exploitation. The damage type selection enables tactical adaptation to exploit enemy weaknesses or avoid resistances.
Critical Hit Enhancement. Effects that improve critical hit chances maximize the value of potential damage explosions.
Material Component Details
Component-Free Advantage. Sorcerous Burst requires only verbal and somatic components, making it consistently available without material constraints.
Raw Energy Manifestation. The spell channels pure sorcerous energy without requiring external focus or material amplification.
Gestural Magic. The somatic components direct chaotic sorcerous energy into controlled damage bursts.
Creator Notes
Sorcerer Signature Magic. Sorcerous Burst reinforces sorcerer identity through chaotic energy manipulation and variable magical effects.
Damage Type Flexibility. The seven damage options provide tactical versatility that rewards strategic thinking about enemy capabilities.
Scaling Reliability. The cantrip provides consistent damage progression while maintaining explosion potential throughout character advancement.
Environmental Interactions
Damage Type Effects. Different damage types create various environmental interactions - fire ignites materials, cold freezes liquids, acid corrodes surfaces.
Energy Manifestation. The spell creates visible energy effects appropriate to the chosen damage type.
Range Advantage. The 120-foot range enables safe engagement from substantial distances for fragile sorcerers.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Rolling 8s Mechanic. Each die showing 8 allows rolling additional dice up to spellcasting modifier limit.
Damage Type Selection. The caster chooses damage type when casting, enabling tactical adaptation to specific encounters.
Modifier Limitation. The maximum additional dice equals spellcasting modifier, preventing unlimited damage explosion.
Attack Roll Requirement. The spell uses ranged spell attacks, requiring accuracy for damage application.
Alternative Applications
Versatile Problem Solving. Different damage types enable various utility applications - acid for corrosion, cold for freezing, fire for ignition.
Intimidation Display. The variable energy types create impressive magical demonstrations during social encounters.
Environmental Interaction. Specific damage types enable interaction with environmental features through appropriate energy application.
Related Spells
Sorcerer Cantrip Identity. Sorcerous Burst provides unique sorcerer-only magic that emphasizes class identity and magical heritage.
Damage Cantrip Comparison. Other cantrips provide consistent damage, while Sorcerous Burst offers variable potential with tactical flexibility.
Energy Magic Progression. The spell connects to higher-level energy spells through similar damage type versatility.
Scaling Analysis
Excellent Damage Potential. The rolling 8s mechanic creates scaling damage that can exceed typical cantrip expectations.
Tactical Flexibility Value. The damage type options become increasingly valuable against diverse enemy types at higher levels.
Sorcerer Optimization. High Charisma scores maximize both spell attack bonuses and explosion potential.
Narrative Flavor
Chaotic Energy Release. The spell should emphasize unpredictable sorcerous energy that manifests in various elemental forms.
Explosive Potential. The rolling 8s should feel like magical energy cascading and building upon itself for dramatic effect.
Damage Type Manifestation. Each damage type should have distinct visual and thematic elements reflecting its elemental nature.
Tactical Usage
Versatile Damage Cantrip. Sorcerous Burst provides excellent damage potential with seven damage type options, enabling adaptation to enemy resistances and vulnerabilities.
Explosive Damage Potential. The rolling 8s mechanic creates opportunities for exceptional damage spikes limited by spellcasting modifier.
Sorcerer Identity Spell. The spell exemplifies sorcerer magic through raw energy manipulation and unpredictable magical surges.
Spell Combinations
Metamagic Synergy. Sorcerer metamagic options enhance the spell's effectiveness through range, accuracy, or damage modifications.
Vulnerability Exploitation. The damage type selection enables tactical adaptation to exploit enemy weaknesses or avoid resistances.
Critical Hit Enhancement. Effects that improve critical hit chances maximize the value of potential damage explosions.
Material Component Details
Component-Free Advantage. Sorcerous Burst requires only verbal and somatic components, making it consistently available without material constraints.
Raw Energy Manifestation. The spell channels pure sorcerous energy without requiring external focus or material amplification.
Gestural Magic. The somatic components direct chaotic sorcerous energy into controlled damage bursts.
Creator Notes
Sorcerer Signature Magic. Sorcerous Burst reinforces sorcerer identity through chaotic energy manipulation and variable magical effects.
Damage Type Flexibility. The seven damage options provide tactical versatility that rewards strategic thinking about enemy capabilities.
Scaling Reliability. The cantrip provides consistent damage progression while maintaining explosion potential throughout character advancement.
Environmental Interactions
Damage Type Effects. Different damage types create various environmental interactions - fire ignites materials, cold freezes liquids, acid corrodes surfaces.
Energy Manifestation. The spell creates visible energy effects appropriate to the chosen damage type.
Range Advantage. The 120-foot range enables safe engagement from substantial distances for fragile sorcerers.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Rolling 8s Mechanic. Each die showing 8 allows rolling additional dice up to spellcasting modifier limit.
Damage Type Selection. The caster chooses damage type when casting, enabling tactical adaptation to specific encounters.
Modifier Limitation. The maximum additional dice equals spellcasting modifier, preventing unlimited damage explosion.
Attack Roll Requirement. The spell uses ranged spell attacks, requiring accuracy for damage application.
Alternative Applications
Versatile Problem Solving. Different damage types enable various utility applications - acid for corrosion, cold for freezing, fire for ignition.
Intimidation Display. The variable energy types create impressive magical demonstrations during social encounters.
Environmental Interaction. Specific damage types enable interaction with environmental features through appropriate energy application.
Related Spells
Sorcerer Cantrip Identity. Sorcerous Burst provides unique sorcerer-only magic that emphasizes class identity and magical heritage.
Damage Cantrip Comparison. Other cantrips provide consistent damage, while Sorcerous Burst offers variable potential with tactical flexibility.
Energy Magic Progression. The spell connects to higher-level energy spells through similar damage type versatility.
Scaling Analysis
Excellent Damage Potential. The rolling 8s mechanic creates scaling damage that can exceed typical cantrip expectations.
Tactical Flexibility Value. The damage type options become increasingly valuable against diverse enemy types at higher levels.
Sorcerer Optimization. High Charisma scores maximize both spell attack bonuses and explosion potential.
Narrative Flavor
Chaotic Energy Release. The spell should emphasize unpredictable sorcerous energy that manifests in various elemental forms.
Explosive Potential. The rolling 8s should feel like magical energy cascading and building upon itself for dramatic effect.
Damage Type Manifestation. Each damage type should have distinct visual and thematic elements reflecting its elemental nature.