Burn Your Enemies: Using Create Bonfire as a Combat Spell in D&D 5e

Create Bonfire is a cantrip spell in the 5th edition of the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game. This spell allows the caster to create a small bonfire within range (which is 60 feet). The bonfire can be created on a surface that is unoccupied and flammable.

The spell requires the caster to create a small flame in their hand, which they then use to ignite the bonfire. Once the bonfire is created, it fills a 5-foot cube and remains for the spell’s duration of up to 1 minute.

If a creature ends its turn within 5 feet of the bonfire, the creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take fire damage. The damage increases as the caster gains higher levels, starting at 1d8 at the 1st level and increasing to 2d8 at the 5th level, 3d8 at the 11th level, and 4d8 at the 17th level. Create Bonfire is a useful spell for creating light and dealing damage in combat situations, but it has limited utility outside of combat.

In an age without microwaves or lightbulbs, fire is a very important thing to possess. Most spellcasters have Prestidigitation to urge fires going without having to believe a tinderbox (if you ever got to make a wizard look dumb, ask ‘em to use a flint and steel), but Druids got to keep warm and Artificers got to light their forges.

You create a bonfire on the ground that you just can see within range. Until the spell ends, the magic bonfire fills a 5-foot cube. Any creature within the bonfire’s space, once you cast the spell, must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 fire damage. A creature must also make the saving throw when it moves into the bonfire’s space for the primary time on a turn or ends its turn there.

Contents

A Beginner’s Guide to Create Bonfire in D&D 5e

Create Bonfire 5e

  • Casting Time: 1 action
  • Range: 60 feet
  • Components: V, S
  • Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
  • Scales: Yes
  • Casters: Arcane Trickster, Artificer, Druid, Eldritch Knight, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

The bonfire ignites flammable objects in its area that aren’t being worn or carried. The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 once you reach the 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

This cantrip is a remarkable little cantrip that lets a personality concentrate to take care of a 5’ cube of a bonfire for up to a moment. Way to its 60’ range, you’ll use it as an immediate damage spell that provides any monsters a DEX save or take 1d8 damage.

You could also use it to dam a doorway or other chokepoint; making creatures who want to move through a doorway save or take 1d8 of harm. You’ll use it in combat to line up a little 5’ barrier to divert some movement or provide some temporary cover. If you notice your Fighter features a monster during a grapple, you’ll cast a bonfire behind the monster then your Fighter can walk the monster into the hearth and hold him there.

It’s a pity you can’t cast it over once to form a wall of fireside over several rounds, however, that might make the cantrip pretty overpowered so I understand why it’s a degree spell.

Out of combat, you’ll start a 5’ cube fire which will burn for 1 minute, making starting a fireplace trivial. However, firebolt and other cantrips could do that also so don’t take this cantrip solely for its fire-starting capabilities

It’s a flexible tool, but few people become a warlock or a wizard just to start out massive fires – although that does happen from time to time. But it still takes a good deal of practice with this cantrip to ignite certain materials; for instance, wet driftwood isn’t exactly “flammable” but some mages are ready to get a fireplace going with it.

The necromancy cantrip suffers lousy PR and a very bad title. There’s no cold damage involved in the spell and you don’t need to touch anyone for the spell to figure. The Spell’s range is 120 feet, equivalent to favorites Eldritch Blast and Firebolt. You’re doing necrotic damage, not cold damage because the spell’s name implies you’d be doing it.


FAQs


Q: What is Bonfire in D&D 5e?

A: Bonfire is a cantrip spell in D&D 5e that creates a small, magical flame that lasts for up to 1 minute.

Q: What is the range of Bonfires?

A: The range of the Bonfire is 60 feet.

Q: What type of damage does Bonfire do?

A: Bonfire does not deal damage directly. Instead, it creates a flame that occupies a 5-foot cube and deals damage to any creature that enters it or starts its turn there.

Q: How much damage does Bonfire do?

A: Bonfire deals 1d8 fire damage to any creature that enters the flame or starts its turn there.

Q: Can Bonfire be used to light a campfire?

A: Yes, Bonfire can be used to light a small fire or ignite flammable objects.

Q: Can Bonfire be used to damage objects?

A: Yes, Bonfire can be used to damage objects made of wood, paper, or other flammable materials.

Q: Does a Bonfire require concentration?

A: No, Bonfire does not require concentration, which means that the spellcaster can cast other spells or take other actions while the flame is active.

Q: Can Bonfire be dispelled or extinguished?

A: Yes, Bonfire can be dispelled by certain spells or extinguished by pouring water or smothering it with non-flammable material.

Q: Can multiple Bonfires be active at the same time?

A: Yes, multiple Bonfires can be active at the same time, as long as they are not overlapping or occupying the same space.

Q: Can Bonfire be used to create a signal fire?

A: Yes, Bonfire can be used to create a small, visible flame that could potentially serve as a signal fire. However, the flame only lasts for 1 minute, so it may not be useful for long-distance signaling.

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