Fire Shield
Thin and wispy flames wreathe your body for the duration, shedding bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet. You can end the spell early by using an action to dismiss it. The flames provide you with a warm shield or a chill shield, as you choose. The warm shield grants you resistance to cold damage, and the chill shield grants you resistance to fire damage. In addition, whenever a creature within 5 feet of you hits you with a melee attack, the shield erupts with flame. The attacker takes 2d8 fire damage from a warm shield, or 2d8 cold damage from a chill shield.
At a Glance
Level
4th
School
Evocation
Casting Time
1 action
Range
Self
Duration
10 minutes
Concentration
No
How Fire Shield Works
| Casting Time | 1 action |
|---|---|
| Range | Self |
| Components | V, S, M (a bit of phosphorus or a firefly) |
| Duration | 10 minutes |
Damage
2d8 fire or cold (when hit in melee)
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting the damage only triggers on melee attacks within 5 feet
Common Mistake
Not choosing the shield type based on expected enemy damage
Common Mistake
Forgetting it sheds light, which can be a disadvantage for stealth
Common Mistake
Thinking the damage requires a reaction - it's automatic
DM Tips
DM Tip
Excellent defensive spell that provides both resistance and damage
DM Tip
The damage is automatic - no save for the attacker
DM Tip
Can discourage melee attackers from targeting the caster
DM Tip
The light emission can be both helpful and problematic depending on situation
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Fire Shield — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD text
- Fire Shield — Roll20 Compendium — Structured reference
- Fire Shield — D&D Beyond — Official digital reference